More than 300 unionist walk out in protest against pension changes

More than 50 schools across Brent have shut their doors today (Wednesday) as part of industrial action taking place throughout the country.

Staff at 53 schools are striking in response to the Government’s proposals to change the public sector’s pension schemes.

More than 300 unionists, teachers and public sector workers gathered outside the Torch Pub in Bridge Road Wembley to rally against the plans at around 9.30am this morning.

Members of Brent’s anti-cuts campaigning group Brent Fightback also offered their support.

Jean Roberts, Brent secretary of the Association of Teachers and Lecturers (ATL), said: “This was a very succesfull protest and showed real solidarity and a real will to succeed.”

Speeches were made throuhgout the morning and in addition members from the private sector also pledged their support.

Mrs Roberts added: “Its important to know that we have support from outside the public sector, the whole morning went very well and schools from all over the borough came to show their support.”

The protestors will now march from Lincolns in Field in Central London to Embankment with other campaigners.

In addition, staff at North West London Hospitals Trust, which manages Northwick Park, St Mark’s and Central Middlesex Hospitals will stage a protest outside the main entrance to Northwick Park and Central Middlesex.

The following schools in Brent are closed today:

• Alperton Community School

• Anson Primary School

• Carlton Vale Infant School

• Christ Church CofE Primary School

• Convent of Jesus and Mary RC Infant School

• Copland School

• Curzon Crescent Nursery School

• Elsley Primary School

• Fawood Children’s Centre

• Fryent Primary School

• Furness Primary School

• Gladstone Park School

• Granville Plus Children’s Centre

• JFS School Kensal Rise Primary School

• Kilburn Park School Foundation

• Kingsbury Green Primary School

• Kingsbury High School

. Lyon Park Infant School

• Lyon Park Junior School

• Malorees Junior School

• Manor School

• Michael Sobell Sinai School

• Mitchell Brook Primary School

• Mount Stewart Junior School

• Malorees Infant School

• Mora Primary School

• Mount Stewart Infant School

• Newman Catholic College

• Oakington Manor Primary School

• Our Lady of Grace

• RC Infant and Nursery School

• Our Lady of Grace RC Junior School

• Our Lady of Lourdes RC School

• Preston Manor High School

• Queen’s Park Community School

• Roe Green Infant School

• Saint Joseph RC Junior School

• Saint Mary Magdalen’s RC Junior Mixed School

• Saint Robert Southwell RC Primary School

• St Mary’s CofE Primary School

• St Gregory’s Catholic Science College

• St Joseph’s RC Infant School

• St Joseph’s RC Primary School

• St Mary’s RC Primary School

• Salusbury Primary School

• Stonebridge School

• Sudbury Primary School

• Uxendon Manor Primary School

• Vernon House School

• Village School

• Wembley High Technology College

• Wembley Primary School

• Woodfield School