SCHOOLS in Exeter are preparing to close for a day as teachers plan to join other public sector workers for nationwide strike action.

And some residents could go for a month without having their bins collected when council staff join the strike.

The unions are taking industrial action on Wednesday, November 30, over the Government's proposed public sector pensions reform.

TUC leaders set the date for the national public sector Day of Action after a series of ballots. It is expected to be the biggest strike for decades, with up to three million public sector employees including teachers, firefighters and health workers expected to join the walk-out.

The TUC has described the action as the "biggest trade union mobilisation for a generation".

Unions including the National Association of Schoolmasters/Union of Women Teachers and the National Union of Teachers are taking part.

Exeter College confirmed that all scheduled classes would be cancelled – but the college would still be open for the day.

A spokeswoman said: "Exeter College is planning to remain open for students and staff.

"Scheduled classes will be cancelled however tests and assessments will happen as normal and specific classes may run which will be arranged locally by individual faculties.

"Some coffee shops and learning centres will be open as normal for those students who choose to come in to college."

St Luke's Science and Sports College will be closed as a result of the action.

Headteacher Mark Pinchin wrote to all parents as soon as he realised he would have to close the school, informing them of the decision.

He said: "Having spoken to staff and the unions it looks like more than 40 per cent of staff will be striking on the day and so I had to make the decision to close the school because I can't ensure the safety of the children.

"I wrote to all parents in good time to tell them it was likely the school would be closed and if any of them had specific difficulties in arranging care for their children that day, to contact me directly because I have offered to look after them myself at the school.

"I have said if I am able to open the school I will let them know, but at this point to assume it's closure for the day."

A week before the planned Day of Action, West Exe Technology College, Isca College of Media Arts, St James and St Peter's schools had not made a decision on whether to close.

Headteacher of St Peter's Church of England Aided School, Mark Perry, said he was waiting for more information before making the decision. "Each union will recommend its members to strike or not and then individuals have to make up their minds. I then have to decide if it's safe to open the school."

The city council has revealed that residents with a refuse collection on the strike day are likely to have the collection missed.

That means they will be waiting for a month for their bins to be picked up.

A spokeswoman said: "It is likely that some collections of refuse and recycling due for November 30 will be cancelled. The council will place a priority on collecting refuse with whatever staffing is available.

"Residents are being asked to check whether their refuse or recycling has been collected at the end of the day on Wednesday, November 30, and if it has not been collected to bring it back onto their property.

"All waste or recycling will then be collected on the next day due for that waste type, which will be Wednesday, December 14."

Anyone with difficulty storing waste should take it to the Marsh Barton recycling centre in Exton Road.

Head of environmental health services Robert Norley said: "We are asking people to think ahead and do whatever they can to reduce their black bin or black bag waste.

"With the limited resources we will have on strike day, our priority will be collecting black bags from properties with limited storage.

"It will be very helpful if everyone can do their bit to cut down on waste during the national dispute."

Other council services will also be disrupted. Public toilets will be closed and street sweeping will be disrupted. A spokesman for Unison, one of the public sector unions taking part in the strike, said: "The TUC Day of Action will be the biggest strike in living memory, as more unions join with Unison for action.

"Picket lines will be going up, marches and rallies will be taking place and members will be taking to the streets to defend their pensions.

"We are committed to negotiating up to November 30 and beyond, but we need to show the Government the strength of feeling that has led to the strike day. We are fighting for a fair pensions deal – not for gold plated pensions, but to give members dignity in their retirement."