AN ambulance boss last night warned patients to expect a reduced service during today’s public sector strike.
Schools across Huddersfield are closed and bins will not be collected as thousands of staff take industrial action over plans to change their pensions.
Yorkshire Ambulance Service director Sarah Fatchett warned of a reduced level of operation between 6am and 6pm today.
“We are asking people to only call 999 for an ambulance in an emergency when it is obvious that someone has a life-threatening or serious illness or injury,” she said.
“We also ask that anyone requiring advice or treatment for a minor ailment considers options such as self-care, a visit to a local pharmacist, GP surgery or walk-in centre.”
Ms Fatchett added that some routine work had been cancelled today to ease pressure on staff.
“We have taken the difficult decision to scale back our Patient Transport Service and will only be running an essential service for patients with renal, oncology and palliative care appointments,” she said.
“If patients are able to make their own way to appointments they should check with the hospital or clinic first to ensure their appointment is still going ahead.”
Ms Fatchett’s warning came on the eve of what is expected to be the biggest day of industrial action since the General Strike in 1926.
More than two million workers including teachers, home carers, bin men, civil servants and college lecturers are on strike today over Government plans to change their pensions.
Ministers claim the alterations are vital to ensure the long-term future of public sector pensions schemes as people live longer.
But unions say the changes would mean their members would pay more, work longer and get less back.
All bin collections in Kirklees have been cancelled today and nearly every school in the area is closed.
Calderdale Council last night announced that buildings across the district will be shut today, including Brighouse Art Gallery and the libraries in Brighouse and Rastrick.
However, bin collections are due to operate as normal.
Only three Kirklees Council buildings in the town centre are expected to open today.
Paul Holmes, branch secretary of Kirklees Unison, told the Examiner last night: “There are 34 offices in Huddersfield but only Civic Centre 1, Civic Centre 3 and Gateway to Care will be open.
“We will have pickets outside those buildings. People who go to work on a strike day are misguided and they help nobody, including themselves.”
Huddersfield Trades Union Council has organised a rally in the town centre this morning.
Protestors will gather in St George’s Square from 10.30am, with the march setting off at 11am.
The demonstrators will return to the square at 11.30am for a rally.
Huddersfield politicians clashed over the strike yesterday.
