How will the strikes affect you?

The County Times would like to hear from anyone whose day will be severely disrupted, or your reasons for backing the strikes.

Hundreds of public sector workers - angered by proposed changes to their pensions - are expected to take to the streets of Horsham in a day of action protest on Wednesday November 30.

The day of action, organised by the National Union of Teachers (NUT), is expected to be the biggest industrial action protest in the town in living memory.

Not only has the rally been backed by other trade unions including UNISON, but Horsham pensioners and even religious groups say they will attend.

Last week, Francis Maude, Conservative MP for Horsham, told the County Times ‘we hope as many teachers as possible go to work on the day’.

“We have a very generous offer on the table - teachers will still be able to retire with access to a better pension scheme.”

The Cabinet Office Minister branded union leaders’ decision to ballot their members for a day of strike action ‘completely inappropriate and irresponsible’ when speaking on the BBC’s Andrew Marr Show last Sunday.

He said: “The unions should not have jumped the gun.

“It’s quite wrong to call out on strike people who have the ability to inflict damage to the economy and other people’s lives and jobs.”

The rally is planned to start at 10am from the bandstand in Horsham Park. It will then head to Madeira Avenue, where Horsham Conservative Association has its headquarters, and finish at the Carfax bandstand.

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