PUBLIC sector workers including teachers, firefighters and members of Unison and GMB, will walk out today in protest against ongoing pay disputes with the Government.
Members of the Fire Brigades' Union (FBU) are involved in a long-running dispute over pensions and retirement age, while other unions are striking over pay.See a full list of schools in East Surrey which are closed or part-closed due to strike action
Fire crews will be away from their posts from 10am-7pm while other public sector workers will be on strike throughout the working day.
The industrial action means emergency fire cover will be provided by non-striking firefighters and Specialist Group International, which has a contract with Surrey County Council to provide contingency fire cover.
The strikes also mean some schools in the county will be completely, or partially, closed for the day.
While the National Union of Teachers and FBU strikes will affect Surrey, GMB and Unison members in the county are not expected to strike, according to the county council, since "separate local pay arrangements" are in place.
No Public and Commercial Services union staff are employed by the council and council officers do not expect Surrey's Unite members to join the industrial action.
The strikes represent the start of a string of firefighter strikes in the coming week, which wil likely leave the county with around half its usual fire cover.
Striking fire crews will be free to enter the station and will be paid as normal for non-striking parts of the shift.
A Surrey County Council spokesman said: "Specialist Group International and our non-striking firefighters will crew as many engines as possible during the strike. However, there will be fewer fire engines than normal, so it's important residents take extra care."
