A third of schools are likely to be shut tomorrow and rubbish will pile up in streets as up to 600,000 council workers join a 48-hour strike over pay.

The dispute over a 2.45 per cent pay award coincides with the start of a series of walkouts over the next ten days by 100,000 civil servants, including coastguards, driving-test instructors and immigration services officers over pensions and pay. Passport officers are planning a three-day strike from July 23, at the height of the holiday season.

The industrial action will do little to boost Gordon Brown’s popularity before MPs take their summer break next week. Further action is also likely during the party conference season in the autumn.

Unison, which has called out its local government workers this week, is threatening to reopen a three-year deal for health workers and the NUT is still consulting over further action on teachers’ pay.

Unison has also pledged “sustained action” over local government pay this summer if its 6 per cent claim is not met. This could result in more rubbish piling up in the summer heat.

Head teachers predicted yesterday that up to a third of primary and secondary schools in England, Wales and Northern Ireland could close, with thousands more affected as teaching assistants, nursery nurses, caretakers and dinner ladies take strike action tomorrow and Thursday.

Mick Brookes, general secretary of the National Association of Head Teachers, said: “There will be big differences around the country and each head will take an assessment about whether it has enough staff to cope. If there are not enough staff to provide meals or cope with children with special needs, the school may have to close.

“This is particularly sad for children in their last term at secondary schools for whom it would be a special day. One school has had to cancel an end-of-term concert and other events have also had to be dropped.”

Councils are also concerned about rubbish piling up in the streets. Several local authorities contacted by The Times had no contingency plans for changing waste collection days nor notifying residents not to put out their rubbish.

Other services likely to be disrupted or closed include adult care services, libraries, art galleries, museums and town halls. Parking attendants and lollipop ladies may also take part in the walkout.

The Local Government Association tried to play down the strength of support for the strike and claimed that a snapshot survey showed that only 25 per cent of workers were likely to take part.

Council employers have written to the unions making clear that the 2.45 per cent award is their final offer. “Strikes will not change the fact that our last offer was our final offer,” said Jan Parkinson, managing director of the local government employers’ organisation. “The settlement on the table is affordable for the council taxpayer and will also make sure that local government continues to be an attractive place to work.”

Dave Prentis, general secretary of Unison, said: “The employers are sitting on billions of pounds — money that our members have saved through their hard work and efficiency — which should be used to settle this account.”

Downing tools

Tomorrow Driving Standards Agency

July 16-17 Local government workers; Valuation Office Agency

July 18 Home Office, Land Registry (2hrs only)

July 18-20 Maritime and Coastguards Agency

July 23-25 Identity and Passport Service

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