News / National strike to disrupt council services
Shetland Islands Council is warning of widespread disruption to its services on the day of the national strike, next Wednesday.
The council released the following details this lunchtime:
Ferries:
No ferries will operate. Emergency cover (blue light services), plus vet, hydro and water call outs will be provided. Blue light services will be co-ordinated through the coastguard as usual. There will be a skeleton service provided at the Ulsta booking office, and the Whalsay booking service will be open.
Ports & Harbours:
Emergency cover only is likely to be provided in the ports of Sullom Voe and Scalloway. Routine services by the harbour authority are likely to be unavailable. There are no changes to emergency contact numbers or procedures.
Schools etc:
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All schools will be closed, with the exception of Uyeasound, Skerries, Foula, Burravoe & Fair Isle
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Scalloway School Nursery will not be open
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Kidzone at Mossbank School will offer some childcare places on a first come first served basis.
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ASN bases at the Anderson High School and Bells Brae will be closed.
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The Janet Courtney Hostel will be operate with a skeleton staff only.
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Evening classes at the Anderson High School and Brae High School are expected to be cancelled.
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Sandwick Junior High School games hall will be closed for evening bookings
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Scalloway Junior High School games hall will be open for evening bookings
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Gilbertson Park games hall will be open for evening bookings
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The Bridges Project will be closed
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Islesburgh Community Centre will be closed.
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There will be no Islesburgh preschool group, Islesburgh out of school club and no Islesburgh breakfast club
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Shetland College and all its outreach centres will be closed. Staff who are not taking part in the action will be at work as normal.
Community Care:
Residential care and home helps, meals on wheels and others providing community care services will continue to operate.
Gritting / Roads:
There will be no general gritting or roads services. Should an emergency arise that requires gritting or snow clearance, or involves an issue such as a road collapse or serious flooding, then that service will be provided. Support of blue-light services will be co-ordinated through the police.
Scord quarry will not be mixing bitmac.
Building Services:
Emergency and urgent responsive service only.
Emergency and urgent calls should be made to the building services emergency number which is 01595 744150
All other work requests should be directed to the Building Services Help Desk on 01595 744 183 or emailed to buildings.helpdesk@shetland.gov.uk in the normal manner.
Transport Services:
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Integrated service bus (Service 24) – will not operate due to SIC ferries not operating
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Bressay service will not operate due to SIC ferries not operating
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Special Needs / Social Work Transport will operate as normal.
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Transport Planning office at 20 Commercial Rd will be open as normal
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Tingwall airport – flights will be disrupted. Anyone with flights booked for 30 Wednesday are advised to contact the airline operator for further information.
Refuse Collection:
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Collection will take place as normal on all routes apart from Yell.
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Yell’s collection will take place on Wednesday 7 December.
Street cleaning:
There will be limited street cleaning on Wednesday 30 November.
Waste:
The Energy Recovery Plant won’t be accepting waste from contractors or the public.
The Gremista landfill will be closed to contractors, industrial and commercial waste. Civic amenity skips for household waste will be open between 9am and 4pm.
Criminal Justice:
The office at 92 St Olaf Street will be closed to the public. Clients who had appointments will be seen on alternative days.
Housing:
North Ness office will be closed to the public.
The following services will continue to be delivered, having been exempted from strike action:
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Essential residential services for special needs adults and children
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Residential and home care
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Meals on Wheels
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Special Needs Transport
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Essential winter roads maintenance inside and outside normal working hours
For the very latest updates on changes to services due to the strrike action, please go to the SIC’s website at: www.shetland.gov.uk
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