Wednesday 9th July 2014

There is expected to be widespread disruption to services across the area on Thursday, July 10th, as public sector workers strike over pay.

Government offices and schools may be affected as members of three unions - UNISON, GMB and UNITE - take part in a national day of action.

After a 1% pay rise was offered to government and school staff, UNISON General Secretary, Dave Prentis, said: "We have a clear majority for strike action so a one day strike will go ahead on 10th July. We expect to be joined in that action by other unions in local government and will be campaigning amongst our members for maximum support on that day.

"Many of our members are low paid women earning barely above the minimum wage, who care for our children, our elderly and our vulnerable and they deserve better treatment than they have had at the hands of this Government. The employers must get back into talks immediately to avoid a damaging dispute."

Chesterfield Borough Council has said that they will do their best to make sure that disruption is kept to a minimum. Huw Bowen, Chesterfield Borough Council’s chief executive said: “We are trying to keep as many services open as possible during the industrial action.

"Anyone who needs to contact the council on Thursday should call us on the usual number, 01246 345345."

Services which will not be open include:

• Queen's Park Sports Centre and the Healthy Living Centre, Staveley will both be closed.
• Public toilets will be closed in the borough

Services which will be operating but offering a reduced service include:

• The Customer Service Centre in New Square will be open but offering
  a reduced counter service. The payment machines will be open
  
  
• The Pavements Centre will be open but the public toilets in the centre
  will be closed
  
  
• The Chesterfield Theatres box office located in the Pomegranate Theatre is open from 10am to 5pm, please call 01246 345222
  
  
• Chesterfield Visitor Information Centre in Rykneld Square will be closed to visitors. A telephone enquiry service will be available on 01246 345777 or 01246 345778
  
  
• Chesterfield and District Crematorium will be closed but a telephone enquiry service will be available on 01246 345888
  
  
• Parks in the borough will be open as usual but public toilets will be closed.

Services operating as usual include:

• Bin collections are carried out by a private contractor and will be carried out as usual. Please make sure your bin is out before 7am to make sure it is collected
  
  
• The Town Hall, Rose Hill will be open as usual
  
  
• Chesterfield's open air market will be open as usual with the
  Thursday flea market taking place
  
  
• The Market Hall will also be open as usual
  
  
• Chesterfield Museum will be open as usual
  
  
• Car parks will be open as usual
  
  
• The careline service for elderly and vulnerable residents will be operating as usual. Please call 0300 323 0076
  
  
• Emergency homelessness applications can be made in person at the Customer Services Centre between 9am and 5pm or by calling
  01246 345825
  
  
• Emergency housing repairs will be available as usual,
  please call 0800 587 5659
  
  
• The environmental services helpline to report issues including missed bins, pest control, stray dogs, abandoned vehicles and graffiti will be operating as usual, please call 01246 345734 or 01246 345735.

Information about the strike will be available on the council's website: www.chesterfield.gov.uk/strike or listen to updates on local radio.

BOLSOVER DISTRICT COUNCIL

Bolsover District Council has also advised that residents should be aware of he potential for change tomorrow and have said services are expected to run as follows:

The following buildings will be closed to the public on this day:

• The Arc, Clowne (including Clowne Contact Centre and Leisure Centre)
• Creswell Leisure Centre
• Bolsover Contact Centre
• Shirebrook Contact Centre
• South Normanton Contact Centre.

A range of information and services can be accessed 24-hours on the council's website at www.bolsover.gov.uk

Services that will be affected:

• Refuse collection - some refuse collections will be affected as follows:
• Black bin collections:
  If your usual black bin collection day falls on the proposed strike day, please put your black bin out as usual (before 7am) however, there is no guarantee that it will be collected.
• If your black bin is not collected, please return it to your property and put it back out on Thursday 24th July 2014. Please don't overfill your bin. One bag of excess waste will be collected if placed at the side of the black bin
  
  
• Green bin collections:
  If your usual green bin collection day falls on the proposed strike day, please put your green bin out as usual (before 7am) however, there is no guarantee that it will be collected.
• If your green bin is not collected, please return it to your property and put it back out on Thursday 24th July 2014. Please don't overfill your bin.
  
  
• Burgundy bin collections:
  Burgundy bin collections will not be affected by the proposed strike action.
• If your burgundy bin collection day falls on the proposed strike day, please put your bin out as usual (before 7am).
  
  
• Housing:
  There will be no rent collection on the day of the strike. Tenants can either pay double on their next normal collection day, or make a debit card payment by ringing 01246 242424 and then press the automated telephone payment option.
  
  
• Only emergency repairs will be carried out. Instructions on how to report these will be available
  from the answer phone message by ringing 01246 242424.
  
  
• Homelessness:
  Contact Derbyshire County Council on 0845 605 8058 or (01629) 532600.
  
  
• Dangerous Buildings/Structures:
  Anyone who needs to report a dangerous buildings and other structures where there is a threat to public safety, should contact 01246 242424 and listen to the recorded message.

NE DERBYSHIRE DISTRICT COUNCIL

Services provided by North East Derbyshire District Council will also be disrupted :

The following buildings will be closed to the public on this day:

• Council House, Saltergate, Chesterfield
• Sharley Park Leisure Centre
• Eckington Swimming Pool
• Dronfield Sports Centre

On the day of the strike, NEDDC can be contacted as normal between 8.30am
and 6pm on 01246 231111 and a range of information and services can be accessed 24-hours on the council's website at www.ne-derbyshire.gov.uk

Rykneld Homes
Dronfield and Eckington Area Housing Offices will be closed on strike day however, Clay Cross, North Wingfield and Killamarsh remain open.

Please use the normal telephone numbers for any enquires or repairs as this service is unaffected by strike action, the number to use is 01246 217670.

Other services

Residents are being given the following information about the services that will be affected:

• Refuse collection. Some refuse collections will be affected as follows:
  
  
• Black bin collections:
• If your usual black bin collection day falls on the proposed strike day, please put your black bin out as usual (before 7am) however, there is no guarantee that it will be collected.
• If your bin is not collected, please return it to your property and put it back out on Thursday 24th July 2014. Please don't overfill your bin. One bag of excess waste will be collected if placed at the side of the black bin.
  
  
• Green bin collections:
• If your usual green bin collection day falls on the proposed strike day, please put your green bin out as usual (before 7am) however, there is no guarantee that it will be collected.
• If your green bin is not collected, please return it to your property and put it back out on Thursday 24th July 2014. Please don't overfill your bin.
  
  
• Burgundy bin collections:
• Burgundy bin collections will not be affected by the proposed strike action.
• If your burgundy bin collection day falls on the proposed strike day, please put your bin out as usual (before 7am).
  
  
• Dangerous Buildings/Structures:
  Anyone who needs to report a dangerous buildings and other structures where there is a threat to public safety should contact 01246 231111.
  
  
• Homelessness:
  Contact Derbyshire County Council on 0845 605 8058 or (01629) 532600

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