Minimum services will be provided during the strike today

Public services in the Balearics will be down to minimum today because of the strike by 27'000 civil service workers, although local transport will not be affected. The workers claim that they have lost purchasing power and are protesting against government policy over wages. The unions claim that the central, regional and local administrations in the Balearics will be paralysed, but minimum services have been ordered. Emergency services, hospital emergency wards and intensive care units in hospitals will be fully operational. Local schools will remain open and the Balearic ministry of education said that parents can take their children to school because the minimum services which have been ordered will be sufficient to ensure attention. Pickets are expected to patrol the city, starting from the Plaza de los Patines at 10am, and at 12 noon they will stage a meeting outside the government representative's office. There will be few classes at the University, where there are 900 persons on the teaching staff and 400 in administration and services. Local ministries have taken steps to guarantee essential services but only 180 workers from a total of 3'500 will be on call. Services at the hospitals will be the same as on a public holiday. Doctors appointments should be checked before leaving home is the advice for the general public. The strike is expected to have very few repercussions at the airport because internal problems have prevented the strike committee from organising the strike.