PARENTS across Gwent face having to organise last-minute childcare as more than 1,000 teachers and lecturers in the area are expected to go on strike as part of mass industrial action.

The strike action will see more than 4,000 public service workers in Gwent walk out on Thursday in protest over government changes to public service pensions.

Talks between the government and union representatives yesterday failed, meaning the mass walkout is set to go ahead.

Members from the Association of Teachers and Lecturers, the University and College Union and the National Union of Teachers will strike, alongside public services union PCS.

Parents were confused over whether their children’s schools would close – although most Gwent councils have issued lists of which would be open and which closed.

Keri Hulme, 39, of Powell Street, Abertillery, has a son, Rhys, 13, at Abertillery Comprehensive School and a daughter, Olivia, seven, at Abertillery Primary School.

She said yesterday: “If people have got to sort out childcare it’s bound to be a right pain.”

Lisa Weaver, 44, of Foss Road, Newport, has three children at St Joseph’s RC Secondary School, Lucinda, 17, Mitchell, 13, and Isabel, 12.

She said: “We had a letter telling us about it, asking us not to send our children to school – if parents work full time they’ll be struggling.”

Director of ATL Cymru Philip Dixon said this is the union’s first national strike in its history and that between 1,000 and 1,500 teachers from the two unions are expected to be on strike.

In Newport there will be a protest rally in John Frost Square at noon on Thursday in protest against the changes.

PCS Wales campaign officer Darren Williams said roughly 2,800 of its members would be taking part in the strike, with services such as the Job Centre, passport office, Office for National Statistics, Intellectual Property Office and the courts all affected to varying degrees.

President of the Torfaen NUT Stuart Allen said: “While we sincerely regret having to take this action, and any inconvenience caused to parents, pupils and employers, we hope you understand why as a last resort we are taking action on June 30.”

A Coleg Gwent spokeswoman said the college anticipates that many of its staff will take part in the strike and there will be disruption, but it will be open.

In a joint statement after yesterday’s talks with unions Cabinet Office Minister Francis Maude and Chief Secretary to the Treasury Danny Alexander insisted the talks had been "constructive" and urged workers not to strike.

  • For the latest information on school closures go to our school closures page which will be updated throughout the next fewdays.