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Up to half a million workers are expected to take part in industrial action today.

University lecturers, train drivers and civil servants are among those out on strike.

It's also the first day of strike action from teachers.

The General Secretary of National Education Union, Kevin Courtney, apologised to parents but said the action by teachers he represents in England and Wales was justified.

Teachers want a pay rise to be above inflation, and for the government to fund it, instead of it coming from the existing school budget.

More than 23 thousand schools in England and Wales will be affected by the teachers strike today.

It's the first of seven planned days of action, but no one school will be impacted for more than four days.

Many headteachers say it's almost impossible to plan, because they don't know how many staff will be walking out until they get in today.

Dan Cosgrove who works at a school in Warrington and is a representative for the National Education Union.

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