Strike forces closure of Chorley school (From Chorley Citizen)

Strike forces closure of Chorley school

3:43pm Tuesday 15th July 2008

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A Chorley school is to close tomorrow as members of the unuion, Unison, start two days of strike action over pay.

Excessive staff absence resulting from the walkout tomorrow and Thursday has forced the closure of Mayfield School in Weldbank Lane.

Other Chorley schools remain unaffected but that could change and parents are advised to check the Lancashire County Council's website for updates, under ‘Most popular searches’.

While many online services will be unaffected, the authority is asking people not to get in touch unless they have to.

The county council’s Customer Service Centre will operate a reduced service from 9am to 5pm and, as normal, will carry recorded information on emergency contacts at other times.

Callers will receive a message asking them to use the council’s website, where possible, or to stay on the line if their call is urgent to allow the council to prioritise enquiries.

The public are also asked to be patient on Friday 18 July - the first working day following the industrial action - as it will take time to deal with any outstanding issues that may have occurred during the previous two days.

There may be some disruption as normal service is resumed.

While services will be affected by the industrial action, some parts of those services will still operate as normal during the action.

Bus station offices and interchanges will open as usual and the Traveline public transport information service will also continue to operate. Bus services should not be affected.

Special Education Needs transport, school bus and taxi contracts will operate as normal, where schools remain open.

Anyone with issues relating to Trading Standards can continue to use the county council’s website or contact Consumer Direct Northwest on 08454 040 506, which will be unaffected by the strike action.

Ged Fitzgerald, Chief Executive of Lancashire County Council, said: “We are asking people to avoid contacting us in the way they normally would on the dates of the strike if at all possible, which will allow us to concentrate on keeping our really key services up and running.

"An increasing number of services are now available on our website and I would encourage people to use that method where possible.”

Updates on services and schools affected will appear on the county council’s website www.lancashire.gov.uk - before and during the strike.

Lancashire County Council’s contact centre is available on 0845 053 0000.

Where possible, information will also be posted in buildings which may be affected and on telephone answer messages.

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