THOUSANDS face disruption today as public sector unions go on strike, hitting more than 80 schools, as well as public services across Hull and the East Riding.
Union leaders claim the national walkout could be the biggest since the 1926 general strike.
Unions taking action include the NUT, GMB, Public and Commercial Services Union, Unison, Unite and the Fire Brigades' Union. They are protesting at performance-related pay, pension cuts and a running down of public services.
Thousands of parents have been forced to organise emergency childcare as more than 40 schools are shut and at least 45 are partly closed in the NUT's latest walkout. Mike Whale, NUT Hull branch secretary, said: "The closures and partial closures will make a big impact."We are linked with other public sector workers in this action and nearly two million people will be on strike nationally. We think that reflects the mood, morale and intentions of public sectors across the board to deal with the issue of pay, which is the main reason the manual support unions are coming out.
"There's also a host of related issues that people feel very strongly about, including workload and pensions issues."
Picket lines will be held outside schools, including Driffield School.
Hundreds of union members are expected to join demonstrations and a march in Hull city centre this morning, finishing with a rally in Queen Victoria Square at noon. Julie Davies, East Riding branch secretary of the NUT, said: "School closures are increased from the last time we went on strike in March.
"That reflects the fact that other unions are coming out, so staff including caretakers and site managers are also involved."
The GMB said its members are fed up with being undervalued.
• Click here to view images of the demonstrations in Hull
Neil Ware, GMB convenor at Hull City Council, said 2,000 of his members are set to walk out today. Mr Ware said: "We don't want to go on strike, we don't like confrontation per se, but after almost a decade of sub-zero inflation pay rises, including three years with no pay rises, our members can't afford to live. They have had enough. "Today, litter bins won't be emptied, streets won't be swept, street lights won't be repaired, potholes won't be filled in, it's all the day-to-day things people take for granted that won't get done." Adrian Kennett, Hull branch secretary for Unison, said: "Council workers have kept on going in the face of four years of Draconian government cuts to keep local services running. "They care for our elderly and our vulnerable, keep our streets clean and educate and look after our children. They deserve better treatment than they have had at the hands of this Government. "Taking strike action is never easy but my members are sending a clear message to the Government and they have had enough." Jimmy Wharvell, Unison's East Riding branch secretary, said: "It is unfortunate that people will have to suffer this disruption but we have been left with no other option. "We have been trying to negotiate a settlement but so far these negotiations have hit a brick wall and the employers have refused to negotiate further or enter independent arbitration. "We want to get back around the negotiating table and now the only option left is to take this action to force them to be reasonable." Pete Schofield, Hull convenor for Unite, said 800 of his members are going on strike over pay today. He said: "A one per cent pay rise is a disgrace, it needs to be fairer for people on low wages. "The strike will stop everything happening apart from essential services."Schools in Hull which will be fully closed today: Adelaide Primary School Alderman Cogan's CofE Primary School Andrew Marvell College Bridgeview Christopher Pickering Primary School Fountain House Francis Askew Primary School Frederick Holmes School Ganton Special School Gillshill Primary School Ings Primary School Marfleet Primary School Mountbatten Primary School Paisley Primary School Pearson Primary School PRU for Medical Needs Rokeby Park Primary School St Charles' Roman Catholic Voluntary Aided Primary School St Richard's RC Primary School St Thomas More RC Primary School Stockwell Primary School Stoneferry Primary School Whitehouse Aithorpe Primary School Appleton Primary School Bellfield Primary School Endsleigh Primary School Mersey Primary School Newington Primary School Sirius Academy Southcoates Primary School Spring Cottage Primary School St Vincent's RC Primary SchoolSchools in Hull which will be partially closed today: Broadacre Primary School Clifton Primary School Kelvin Hall School Malet Lambert School Newland School for Girls Northcott School Oakfield Oldfleet Primary School Sidmouth Primary School St Anthony's Catholic Primary School St George's Primary School St Mary's College St Nicholas' Primary School Thanet Primary SchoolSchools in the East Riding which will be fully closed today: All Saints Church Of England Anlaby Primary School Beverley Manor Nursery Burstwick Primary School Burton Pidsea Primary School Gilberdyke Primary School Hazel Lodge Pupil Referral Unit Hook Primary School Newbald Primary School Parkside Primary School Rawcliffe Primary School Riverside Special School Springhead Primary School St Anne's Community Special School Willerby Carr Lane Primary School Withernsea Primary SchoolSchools in the East Riding which will partially closed: Acre Heads Primary School Bay Primary School Beverley Grammar School Beverley High School Boothferry Primary School Cottingham High School Driffield Junior School Driffield School Easington Primary School Hedon Primary School Hessle Federation Hornsea Primary School Hutton Cranswick Primary School Inmans Primary School Keyingham Primary School Leven Primary School Longcroft School Marshlands Primary School North Ferriby Primary School Patrington Primary School Pocklington Infant School Preston Primary School Roos Primary School Skirlaugh Primary School South Cave Primary School South Holderness Technology College South Hunsley School Stamford Bridge Primary School The Market Weighton School Thorngumbald Primary School Welton Primary School Westfield Primary School Withernsea High School Woldgate College