HAMPSHIRE businesses are bracing themselves for the impact of an exodus of staff tomorrow because of the mass public sector strikes.

Firms across the county are set to be without workers forced to take time off for childcare, with hundreds of schools closed by the protest over pensions.

Politicians and business leaders last night warned of a “massive knock-on effect” that could leave the already fragile economy reeling.

School Closures

The Daily Echo is constantly updating a list of all the schools affected by the strike action.

See if your child's school is affected by checking the latest information.

More than 20,000 public sector workers across Southampton and Hampshire are preparing to take to the picket lines, impacting on councils, health services, courts, libraries, job centres, tax offices, border controls, emergency service support and even driving test centres.

And with four teaching unions among the 30 professional associations taking part in the national day of action, the majority of schools across Southampton and Hampshire will be closed for the day.

Only a handful of schools in Southampton will be fully open tomorrow, while more than 150 in Hampshire have so far said they will be shut, with others due to make 11th-hour decisions on closures once it is clear how many staff would be on the picket lines.

And the head of the National Union of Teachers (NUT), which has about 1,200 members in Southampton, last night warned that further regional strikes could follow the national walkout if there is no “meaningful negotiation”

from the Government.

With some parents left to arrange alternative childcare for tomorrow, firms are now being forced to make contingency plans to cope with staff forced to take time off to look after little ones.

Jimmy Chestnutt, chief executive of Hampshire Chamber of Commerce, warned that there would be an inevitable impact on companies already struggling to cope with the effects of the economic downturn.

He said: “Some parents will have to take time off work to look after their children as schools close as a result of the action.

“Some of those parents will lose money as a result and some businesses will suffer at a time when they can least afford any loss of productivity.”

The widespread school closures have forced some larger employers to offer help to staff to ensure disruption through time off is minimised.

At Southampton General Hospital, an emergency crèche is being opened for children of all workers.

Bosses at University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust are opening up its play scheme, Taplins Nursery, to all hospital staff on a first come first served basis, so parents can drop off children if their schools are closed, and head to work as normal.

Other alternative childcare solutions are springing up to help cope with demand.

Chamberlayne Leisure Centre in Southampton is offering a special “holiday club” for children aged five to 12 for the day. The Weston Lane facility is providing a range of activities for up to 60 children between 8am and 6pm.

But with many parents unable to make alternative arrangements, Southampton City Council leader Councillor Royston Smith believes that the strikes will damage the economy.

He said: “There’s going to be a massive knock-on effect. These actions are in no small part risking jobs and the future of the economy.

“Every time we affect our economy they have just made our position worse.

People have just got to think a bit more carefully.

“People should have the right to make their voices heard, but they can do that by having a symbolic 15 minutes.”

As reported in yesterday’s Daily Echo, a survey of 200 residents conducted on the streets of Hampshire found that twothirds of people are opposed to the action. But unions insist that the strikes are necessary and justified, with many public sector workers facing having to work more years for lower pensions.

Unison, which has 15,000 members across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, said yesterday that it has seen a huge 126 per cent jump in applications to join nationally since the ballot result was announced, mostly from women.

General secretary Dave Prentis said: “The Government is trying to paint a picture of macho union leaders squaring up for a fight, but it will be mainly women public sector workers out in force – women who are angry and feel let down by the pension changes. Our members do not take strike action lightly but the coalition is pushing them too far.”

What will be affected?

Click the links below to see how the industrial action will impact upon life in Hampshire.

A list of schools that will be closed is also available.


• Schools
• Coastguard
• Councils
• Hospitals
• Police & Fire
• Courts and Prisons
• Health services
• Job Centre & Tax Offices
• Driving Test Centres