THOUSANDS of public sector workers will march through Glasgow tomorrow in protest at changes to their pensions.

A mass rally, which is expected to be attended by more than 3000 people, will be held at the Barrowland.

Their strike day will hit services including local government, the NHS, Strathclyde Partnership for Transport and Scottish Water.

All secondary, primary, early years and additional support for learning schools will be closed, affecting 78,000 children.

The Subway will be shut, causing chaos for the 42,000 passengers who use it each day.

Glasgow City Council's homelessness services will offer only emergency cover.

All residential homes for children and older people will remain open but council-run day centres will shut.

Museums, art galleries, libraries, sports centres and community facilities across the city are also likely to be hit. A spokesman for Glasgow Life, which runs them, said: "We will not be in a position to say which services and facilities are affected until Wednesday when we know exactly how many staff report for work as normal."

It is likely the city's main museums, including Kelvingrove, the Gallery of Modern Art and the Burrell Collection will close along with main libraries. It is hoped some sports centres and local libraries will be open, at least for part of the day.

Registrar services will not operate on Wednesday meaning it will not be possible to register a birth or death. No weddings or civil partnerships are scheduled for that day.

Council bosses say there is likely to be disruption to rubbish collections but bins should be put out as normal.

Only a holiday service will be available for people who get home care visits from council staff. A spokesman said: "Families and service users should consider alternative support arrangements."

Primary school facilities usually let out won't be available but lets at secondaries and Knightswood primary will go ahead.

All council tax and housing benefit centres will be closed but all city centre car parks operated by City Parking will be open.

Gritter staff are exempt from the industrial action but Scottish Water will be affected as many staff are members of a public sector pension plan.

A spokesman said: "We want to reassure customers that contingency plans are in place to ensure normal service on November 30.

WE'LL do everything possible to minimise any potential adverse impact."

About half of Scottish Water workers are trade union members.

As well as the march and rally, pickets are expected to be at council, hospital and other buildings.

Union Unison has around 50,000 members in Glasgow and is expecting a strong show of support for the industrial action.

A spokesman said: "There is no question people are very angry about what is happening to their pensions.

"Last month our Glasgow branch recruited four times as many new members as we would normally expect."

Pat Rafferty, general secretary of the Unite union, said: "There is a lot of anger in the public sector given that we have had pay cuts and freezes and changes to terms and conditions.

"Now they are being asked to bear the brunt of the cuts again and people are saying enough is enough.

"We are not taking action lightly – far from it – but the time comes when you need to take a stand and the strength of feeling is very high indeed."

vivienne.nicoll@ eveningtimes.co.uk

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