Thousands of teachers, lecturers and civil servants are expected to take to the streets in a day of protest in Sussex.

Four unions are joining together to march against Government cuts and plans to reduce teacher pensions on June 30.

The National Union of Teachers, Association of Teachers and Lecturers, University and College Union and the Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union members are staging a mass walkout on the same day that will lead to school closures and disruption to other public services.

Union leaders hope that more than 1,000 workers will march from The Level in Brighton to Hove Town Hall.

Ron Gordon, assistant secretary for the Brighton and Hove NUT, said he was expecting a greater turnout from their members than the 2008 strike.

He said: “In 2008 we had about 650 people. But this will be much bigger than that. People are a lot angrier than last time and more people are going on strike.”

Smaller rallies will be held on the same day in Worthing and Hastings.

Workers in Hastings will gather outside the White Rock Theatre from 10am before a picnic in Alexandra Park.

Striking staff in Worthing will hold their rally at 11am in Steyne Gardens, in Warwick Road.

Teachers and lecturers are striking over changes to the Teachers’ Pensions Scheme.

Michael Moran, UCU regional official, said he expects a “huge amount” of people to turn out to protest.

He said: “We want to send a clear statement to the Government and our employers that we are serious about protecting our member’s pensions.

“Pensions are deferred pay. Any attempt to seek to cut the current pension levels people have is basically stealing money from them.”

PCS workers, which include Job Centre staff, My Civil Service pension staff and Benefit Delivery Centre workers in Worthing, are walking out over anger at job cuts, pensions and a pay freeze.

Kevin Dale, branch organiser of East Sussex PCS, has called on workers from other sectors to join them on the rally.

He said: “We want to widen it out as much as we can.

“We are providing a public service. If you lose us then you lose that service.”

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