Firefighters and teachers across West Sussex set for day of industrial action

West Sussex County Council has warned parents to expect disruption due to the National Union of Teachers taking strike action.

Some Horsham schools could be forced to close or partially close for the day.

Parents can find details of any school closures or partial closures on the county council website at www.westsussex.gov.uk or by checking individual school websites.

A spokesperson for West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service said consultations with firefighters over the strike action were to be held yesterday (Wednesday July 2).

However, all wholetime firefighters were expected to take part in the strike, the spokesperson added.

The long-running dispute comes over firefighters’ pensions.

Matt Wrack, general secretary of the Fire Brigades Union, said: “The FBU has wanted to settle our dispute for a long time, but the government at Westminster is simply not listening.

“The fact that this government has united so many workers to take strike action against them is a testament to the failure of their policies.

“If they won’t listen and won’t negotiate then this is the result — and they should face more of the same if necessary.”

Horsham District Council is aiming to collect all waste and recycling as usual on the day of strike action.

Residents are being asked to leave their waste and recycling out if it has been missed, as a collection will be scheduled for later in the week.