ALL of York's schools could be forced to close when members of public service unions take strike action later this month.

City of York Council workers were joined by staff from York College and the city's schools last night to discuss arrangements for the upcoming national strike over pensions.

One teaching assistant, who asked not to be named, said: "This affects teaching assistants, dinner ladies, cleaners and admin staff - everyone in schools but the teachers.

"The schools won't be able to run without these staff members."

The strike - over Government plans to change pension rights for workers public service workers, which could mean many having to work past their current retirement age of 60 - is scheduled for March 28.

Ben Drake, York branch secretary of public service union Unison, which held its AGM last night, said that all the major public sector unions were involved - adding that the strike would "shut down" the council.

Mr Drake said: "The Government have struck a deal with health service workers, civil servants, firefighters and teachers to keep their retirement ages as they are.

"Our members are very angry that they have done a deal with those workers, but not us.

"I think it comes down to the Government thinking we're an easy target."

The Government's proposals would affect all workers whose employers are in the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS).

Caitlin Clarricoates, a Unison member and a benefits visiting officer at the council, said: "We don't want to lose a penny off our pensions, or a day off our retirements. All we want is a decent pension - for us and for our sons and daughters."

More than 80 per cent of Unison's York City branch members voted to take industrial action to safeguard their pension rights.

Under the "85-year rule", workers in the LGPS can now retire before 65 and still claim full pension benefits if their length of employment plus their time in the scheme totals 85 years or more.

A council spokeswoman said the strike would hit refuse and recycling collections.

She said: "Collections will operate one day late for the rest of the week, with Friday's collections being carried out on Saturday, April 1."

The strike action will also affect workers at other authorities, including North Yorkshire County Council, Selby District Council and the East Riding of Yorkshire Council.

Coun Carl Les, of North Yorkshire County Council, said: "We are identifying services where staff will be exempt from taking strike action, and want to ensure that the most vulnerable people in our community are not adversely affected.

"The switchboard will be fully operational and non-union staff will work flexibly to provide cover where possible.

"Inevitably, some services will be temporarily affected."

Sarah Mainprize, East Riding Council's press manager, said: "The council has contingency plans for such matters, which we're currently reviewing in light of the planned industrial action."

Updated: 10:06 Thursday, March 16, 2006