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3.32pm
Cameron labels strikes 'damp squib'
Prime Minister David Cameron has claimed industrial action involving public sector workers across the country was "looking like something of a damp squib". Read more
2.53pm
Newport teacher - 'we had little choice but to strike'
Among those at the rally was primary schoolteacher Teresa Hughes, of Newport. vThe 48-year-old mother of one said: "I am the main earner in my family and teachers like me are having to work more but for less.
"There is a very strong feeling within the teaching profession about what the UK Government has done.
"I don't think anyone wanted to go on strike, and we don't take a decision like this lightly. But ask anyone here today and they will tell you they feel like they have been left little choice but to take part in industrial action.
"NUT members are growing increasingly concerned that the Government's proposed changes will not only affect teachers but also educational standards.
"The fact that the Government has reneged on its pension deal does not give us much faith.’’
2.15pm
This afternoon, hundreds of workers gathered at a public rally at the Swalec Stadium in Cardiff.
Union officials told the crowd that today was just the beginning and the fight would continue for as long as necessary.
1.57pm
Welsh Labour ministers urged the UK Government to get back around the negotiating table.
A statement from the ministers, who currently run the government in Wales, said: "As a government, we understand fully that with a two-year pay freeze, rising fuel costs, inflation at 5%, and the threat of redundancy, public sector workers right across Wales are facing an extremely tough time at the moment.
1.51pm
Around 170,000 workers in Wales have gone on strike as part of UK-wide industrial action over pension changes.
More than 90% of pupils across the principality are missing classes today as part of the public service disruption.
1.19pm
Wales secretary for PCS Cymru, Peter Harris, said 750 people from the Office for National Statistics in Newport were on strike. Around 80% of members across Wales chose to take strike action, he said.
12.47pm
NUT Cymru Wales secretary, David Evans, estimated 2,000 teachers across Gwent joined the walkout.
He said: "We've had positive feedback so far. The public opinion is with the strikers. All teachers are asking is for the current pension scheme to be maintained. The government has left them with no option but to strike today."
12.23pm
12.19pm
University of Wales, Newport - any library books due today that can't be handed in due to the Caerleon library closure/self-service machine will be extended until tomorrow. Via Twitter @newportuni
11.47am
John Toner, regional officer for Unite, Pontypool, said: "We are confident that our members have walked out and are not taking part in employment today."
He said picket lines began forming at Tai Calon Community Housing in Blaina from 6.20am, Blaenau Gwent council's highways and maintenance department, Barleyfield Industrial Estate, Brynmawr and the council's social services department on Bridge Street, but he said there were exemptions for some people who had to continue providing essential services.
11.33am
The Butetown Tunnel in Cardiff is closed due to the strike as they have to be physically monitored and manned. Due to industrial action the tunnels are closed for health and safety reasons until until tomorrow.
11.30am
A spokesman for the University and College Union (UCU) said around 7,000 of their members were expected to be striking today across the board in Wales.
Picket lines were out at four out of five of the Coleg Gwent campuses, in Newport, Pontypool, Ebbw Vale and Crosskeys. "Lecturers don't like taking strike action but they feel this is a last resort for them," the spokesman said.
11.25am
Strikers from Ysbyty'r Tri Chwm College in Ebbw Vale braving the rain this morning.
11.09am
All main police stations in Blaenau Gwent are shut today due to the strikes. Officers are still in and able to respond to calls. Via Twitter GPBlaenauGwent
11.02am
10.55am
'I'm not going to condemn strikers' - Miliband
In a message on Twitter, Labour leader Ed Miliband said: "I'm not going to condemn public servants who feel they're in impossible position. "It is the Government's failure that has led to today's strike."
10.32am
John James of the University and Colleges Union has just joined union members outside St Woolos hospital- it's the 7th he's attended this morning.
10.19am
Newport AM Rosemary Butler has joined the 40 protestors outside the civic centre in Newport, calling the pension cuts "appalling".
9.49am
CWMBRAN - Police officer sent to monitor picket line outside Police HQ after complaint is received that protestors are obstructing the road.
9.35am
The picket line outside the Office of National Statistics this morning
9.28am
A small group of Unison officials are outside Police HQ in Cwmbran, trying to stop staff entering. They say very few of their hundreds of members based here have attended work today.
9.20am
University of Wales, Newport - Caerleon library will be closed until 1pm today due to lack of staff. The position will be reviewed at 1pm.
8.59am
Lockout at Coleg Gwent in Pontypool
Coleg Gwent's gates in Pontypool are locked - 4 union reps are outside ensuring they remain locked all day. ArgusChrisWood
8.55am
Staff at the Welsh Audit Office in Cardiff picketed for first time - manned by PCS and Prospect members.
Ben Robertson, chair of PCS, Wales and general areas forum, said: "People are striking over the cuts to their pensions so close to retirement, on top of that there is another pay freeze, people are working longer for less."
8.34am
Newport buses normal - Transporter shut
Newport buses running as normal. The Transporter Bridge will also be shut, as will most libraries and the register office. Bins will not be collected, but extra services will be put on on Saturday, when the council will aim to collect all of Wednesday's rubbish.
7.33am
Gwent school closures
BLAENAU GWENT
All schools are closed.
CAERPHILLY
All schools are closed except:
Bedwas Primary, which is open to all pupils except those in Class 1
Fochriw Primary is open
Pontlottyn Primary is open.
MONMOUTHSHIRE
All schools are closed except:
Archbishop Rowan Williams partially open
Magor nursery is closed but the rest school of the school is open
Our Lady and St Michael RC partially open
St Mary's RC Primary Chepstow partially open
The Dell is partially open
Usk VC School is partially open
Caldicot Green Lane is open
Caldicot West End is open
Osbaston Primary is open
NEWPORT
All schools are closed except:
Fairoak Nursery is open
Caerleon Lodge Hill Infants is open
Caerleon Lodge Hill Juniors is open
Caerleon Endowed Infants is partially open
Maindee Primary is partially open
St David's RC Primary is partially open
Clychdroi is partially open.
TORFAEN
All schools are closed, except:
Blenheim Road only open to Nursery, reception and year 1
Croesyceiliog Comprehensive only open to Year 11 and 6th form for private study
Llantarnam Comprehensive only open to 6th form for private study
Llantarnam Junior & Infants only open to years 1,2,3,4 and 6
Pontymoile Junior & Infants only open to years 3 & 4
Maendy Junior & Infants is open to all pupils.
7.21am
Caerphilly
All schools are closed except:
Bedwas Primary, which is open to all pupils except those in Class 1
Fochriw Primary is open
Pontlottyn Primary is open.
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