Duran Duran's Brighton gig exempt from Unison stike action

Tens of thousands of people are planning on walking out as part of the national “day of action” on November 30 which could see schools, libraries and town hall buildings shut.

But The Argus can reveal the planned Brighton Centre concert by the group famous for songs such as Ordinary World and Wild Boys will still go ahead that night.

Union representatives said the decision had been taken due to the large numbers of temporary staff at the 4,500-capacity seafront venue.

They added a number of staff were in the last years of service whose final salary pensions may be affected by taking part in strike action.

One Town Hall insider jokingly told The Argus: “Perhaps it also indicative of the music tastes of Unison members.”

The sell-out concert is likely to include a number of striking public sector workers in the audience.

It has already been rearranged once after lead singer Simon Le Bon fell ill in May.

Alex Knutsen, of the Brighton and Hove branch of Unison, said: “It’s probably likely that the Brighton Centre will remain staffed.

“What we have said is that we will leaflet outside and have information inside the Brighton Centre on the night about why action is taking place.”

Final plans for the Brighton and Hove action were discussed at a meeting of the Brighton and Hove Trades Union Council on Tuesday.

The city is expected to be the focal point for protest against planned changes by the Government to public sector pensions.

Three marches are planned: from Hove Town Hall, the University of Brighton campus in Moulsecoomb and from east Brighton.

These are expected to converge at Victoria Gardens in Brighton at 11.45am, before a short march around the city centre culminating in a rally at The Level at 1pm.

Mr Knutsen said: “November 30 looks certain to go ahead.

“There is very strong feeling across the council right the way from managers to cleaners.”

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