Disruption will hit Bradford today as unions prepare for the biggest day of industrial action in more than a decade.

Teachers, train drivers, civil servants, university lecturers, bus drivers and security guards from seven trade unions will walk out in disputes over pay, jobs and conditions.

The historic mass strikes are expected to cause queues at border control in airports, cancellations to train service schedules, and partial school closures.

Train operators Northern, CrossCountry, and TransPennine Express have confirmed no services will be running on February 1, 2023.

Unions hope the strikes will spark conversations over pay, working conditions, and staffing levels.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus:

But the Prime Minister’s official spokesman said negotiations, rather than strikes, are “the right approach”.  

Several schools in Bradford will be partially closed over health and safety fears - only a handful of schools will be able to remain open to all pupils amid depleted staffing levels.

According to Bradford’s branch secretary, Tom Bright, primary schools are set to be the most-affected education settings.

Speaking to the Telegraph & Argus, Mr Bright said: “I understand there are people saying children shouldn’t be out of school but this is one day to send a message to the Government.

"The situation in schools is absolutely dire. Every day I’m talking with teachers who are at breaking point.”

The teachers’ strike will start outside school gates on Wednesday, February 1, before a gathering in Centenary Square and rally at The Great Victoria Hotel.

Meanwhile a spokesperson for the University of Bradford said it will try “minimise disruption” during the first round of strike action.

More than 70,000 staff at 150 universities are due to protest under the University and College Union (UCU).

A spokesperson for the university said: “The university will remain open throughout the planned periods of industrial action in February and March and students will have access to on-campus facilities including the library, study spaces, student support and leisure facilities.

“We have also reassured students that we will do everything we can to minimise disruption and ensure their teaching, assessments, and student support continue to operate effectively.”

Around 100,000 members of The Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union will take part in the largest civil service strike for years.

According to the PCS, members in 124 government departments and other bodies will walk out.

In response, The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: “We know that there will be significant disruption given the scale of the strike action that is taking place tomorrow and that will be very difficult for the public trying to go about their daily lives.

“We are upfront that this will disrupt people’s lives and that’s why we think negotiations rather than picket lines are the right approach.”

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