Public sector pension protest
- "lazy fuckers get back to work," shouts a passing cyclist at St Pancras Hospital picket line. #30nov #N30by kevinjrawlinson via twitter 11/30/2011 8:30:04 AM
- Follow the Indy's live coverage of #N30 #nov30 #30nov at ind.pnby kevinjrawlinson via twitter 11/30/2011 8:31:53 AM
- Airports so far largely unaffected by the walkout. On Sky News, arrivals at Edinburgh Airport said passport control felt quicker than usual.
- Gatwick's chief operating officer, Scott Stanley, said: "While passengers have so far not experienced delays at the border zones, we do expect delays to occur at some point today as the rate of arriving flights increases. That said, we do have robust plans in place to help keep those delays at the border zones to a minimum. To help avoid overcrowding, we have reconfigured both our airside terminals to provide significantly more space and seating for arriving passengers."
- He added that "hundreds of Gatwick staff and volunteers" were providing assistance to passengers.
- 246 schools are closed in Staffordshire, Stoke-on-Trent and Cheshire East.
- Over 300 schools closed in Kent and Medway
- 108 schools are closed in Essex
- In Surrey, 209 out of 291schools are closed
- More than 1,500 schools are closed in London, with a further 500 schools partially closed.
- On an average day, 28,000 patients have planned treatments or operations in England and there are 60,000 diagnostic tests. Today, the NHS is more or less operating as if it was a weekend or Bank Holiday. Emergency and trauma care will be the priority.
- TUC's Brendan Barber calls on the govt to 'get round the table'. For the record, govt called on him to do the same yesterday #nov30 #N30by kevinjrawlinson via twitter 11/30/2011 8:57:36 AM
- Christine Blower, general secretary of the National Union of Teachers, attacked ministers for claiming their pensions deal is a generous offer. She said: "We want the strike to demonstrate that their cover has been blown on this. Our members know it's not a generous offer.

I'm told there'll be disability benefits claimants joining PCS picket at Euston Tower at around 9:30am #nov30 #N30 p.twimg.com
by kevinjrawlinson via twitter 11/30/2011 9:12:37 AM- Unison leader Dave Prentis said unions had the public on their side, adding: "They know that public service workers are not asking for more - they just want the pension deal they were promised."
- Chris Keates, general secretary of the NASUWT teaching union, one of those taking action today, accused ministers of misleading the public.
- She said: "The Government constantly says get back round the table - that's all the NASUWT has wanted to do, but ministers haven't called a meeting since November 2." She added: "To keep claiming publicly that they want to negotiate, when ministers haven't called a meeting, I think that's misleading."
- RMT general secretary Bob Crow has said: "We are sending the clearest message to the Government that we will defend our pensions to the hilt and the outrageous demand that our members should work longer, pay more and get less has been thrown back in the faces of this Government of millionaire public schoolboys."
- Hampshire County Council said it has 322 schools either closed or partially closed out of a total of 502, while Southampton has six open, three partially closed and 72 closed out of 81.
- @andyvine2 We are expecting delays, but everything is running smoothly right now. We'll post any updates here so keep an eye on Twitter.by Gatwick_Airport via twitter 11/30/2011 9:25:14 AM
- Portsmouth City Council has 35 schools shut, 17 partially closed and 14 open.
- 30 firefighters have dealt with a severe fire this morning in a house on Wimborne Road in Tottenham. Thankfully no one was injured.by LondonFire via twitter 11/30/2011 9:28:44 AM
- In Salford, Greater Manchester, around 30 council binmen manned a picket line outside their depot, Turnpike House. Standing around a burning brazier to keep warm, they held placards including one asking: "Do we look Gold Plated?"
- BBC reporting Unison and Unite angry about a text circulating from council offering extra payment for standby home care workers. City Council says payments are for those working already, and aren't designed to tempt people across picket line.
- People who say theyve got no pension, bad pay etc. How does hating people on #strike benefit you? Social justice & mobility for all #n30by Abida_Rashid via twitter 11/30/2011 9:37:55 AM
- The Port of Dover in Kent said all services with P&O Ferries to Calais and DFDS Seaways sailings to Dunkirk were "running well and to time" this morning with space available. There were no queues on roads leading into the port.
- I love the smell of negation first thing in the morning #n30by spareye via twitter 11/30/2011 9:40:53 AM
- 4 - the number of picket lines I've passed in half mile walk across Manc/Salford. 100% more than any strike in last 5 years #strike #n30by skikeaney via twitter 11/30/2011 9:41:16 AM
- First time in my life I have crossed a picket line. I support my colleagues just haven't joined a union. #STRIKEby mbalco via twitter 11/30/2011 9:41:32 AM

Striking workers and soldiers in Salford, 1911 #N30 #strike t.co
by mcrarchives via Flic.kr 11/30/2011 9:42:18 AM- PA: Two small picket lines consisting of a handful of strikers stood at separate entrances to Salford Royal Hospital. Both groups said they were not allowed to speak to the Press without first checking with union officials.
- Details of the disruption to council services due to industrial action is available on t.coby SalfordCouncil via twitter 11/30/2011 9:43:36 AM
- PA: Passengers coming through Heathrow airport said border controls were "better than usual".
- Wry smile as read strike update on poss delays at Heathrow. Contingency plans etc. T4: "No queues, actually working better than normal"by reporterboy via twitter 11/30/2011 9:44:37 AM

The scene at Terminal 3 at Heathrow Airport, as plane arrivals and take-offs at Britain's two biggest airports were largely unaffected by today's strike, with just a few cancellations of inbound transatlantic flights to Heathrow Airport this morning (PA)
- A spokesman for Southampton Airport, one of the BAA-run airports, said: "We are expected to experience minimal disruption. Any disruption is expected to be limited to inbound international flights only, of which there are 12 today.
- Flew through Heathrow!! (no pun intended) Phew!by PhillyTheHoss via twitter 11/30/2011 9:49:08 AM
- ATL general secretary Dr Mary Bousted said: "No-one is pleased that schools are closed because we know what disruption that causes, but it's very important that the Government understands the depth of anger and hurt."
- Court proceedings are expected to be disrupted by the public sector workers' strike today, union leaders said.
- However, they have pledged not to disrupt the trial of two men accused of the racist killing of black teenager Stephen Lawrence, which is taking place at the Old Bailey in London.

#NHS workers in #BowRoad t.co
by eastlondonlines via Eastlondonlines.co.uk 11/30/2011 9:50:47 AM- Message of support from @AFTunion : "We stand with you in full solidarity" #N30 #Nov30by NUTonline via twitter 11/30/2011 9:51:14 AM

Picket at Irvine Central Hospital #N30 t.co
by UniteScotland via Yfrog 11/30/2011 9:51:51 AM- PA: Norina O'Hare, who represents the justice and prosecutions sector of the Public and Commercial Services Union, said picket lines were in place at courts across the country - including at the Old Bailey and the Royal Courts of Justice, which is also in central London and houses the High Court and Courts of Appeal. "Union members who work in courts are taking action. We have picket lines at courts across the country, including the Bailey and the Royal Courts of Justice," said Ms O'Hare.

Public sector workers on a picket outside Turnpike House in Salford (PA)
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