North Lanarkshire Council experienced inevitable disruption to a number of services as a result of yesterday's national industrial action. However, many services were maintained with less disruption felt than during last month's strike.

Gavin Whitefield, Chief Executive, North Lanarkshire Council, said: "We worked as closely as possible with the three trade unions, with mixed results, in order to minimise disruption to services affecting our most vulnerable residents.

"Disappointingly, home care services were once again significantly disrupted as the trade unions refused to grant us any exemptions for the delivery of home care services. This situation was wholly avoidable and unacceptable as I understand exemptions were granted for other councils.

"We were pleased to be able to keep all of our primary and secondary schools open, as well as making sure a wedding was able to go ahead thanks to union co-operation."

Council services impacted by the national strike action:

Chief Executive's Office

• No significant disruption to services.

Corporate Services

• Registration offices experienced minimal disruption.

Environmental Services

• There was a significant impact on building cleaning with the majority of building cleaners on strike meaning no janitor services were available;
• Finance and technology solutions were not impacted by the strike action;
• A minimal impact was felt by school crossing patrols;
• No front line grounds maintenance services were provided with the Airdrie depot being closed;
• There were no front line cleansing services;
• Standby cover only in roads and transportation service;
• Transport services were not badly affected, but there were no administration staff;
• Planning and development services were disrupted, including the building standards team;
• Catering services experienced a degree of disruption. All eight social work residential units were open and catering was provided; however there was no catering service available in day centres, parks, libraries or staff restaurants. Twenty-six schools had a catering service and the remaining 130 had a packed lunch sandwich service only; and
• Coatbridge and Motherwell advice centres were closed. Bellshill and Cumbernauld money advice centres were open. There was adequate cover available to provide essential services and out of hours cover was available on the normal number.

Finance and Customer Services

• All cash collection offices were closed.

Housing and Social Work Services

• All offices were closed to the public;
• The emergency social work team ran smoothly, responding to contacts as appropriate; and
• There was disruption to the home care service, with provision being prioritised to ensure the most vulnerable service users received their normal, or a limited, service. Health and safety issues were addressed where necessary.

Learning and Leisure Services

• All of our 131 primary schools were open and providing a full service;
• All of our 24 secondary schools were open with only seven of these reducing the number of year groups attending for logistical reasons;
• All of our 24 early years establishments were closed to pupils but open to staff; and
• All of our additional support needs (ASN) schools were closed to pupils but open to staff.

Gavin added: "We will continue to work hard to ensure the after effects of the industrial action on our services are minimal."