750,000 workers strike across UK

LONDON - Up to 750,000 public sector workers went on strike across the United Kingdom on Thursday, closing or disrupting schools, colleges, courts, airports and ports.

The 24-hour walkout by four unions representing teachers and other public-sector workers was in protest of plans to make them retire later, pay more toward their pensions, cut jobs and freeze pay.

The stoppage was one of the biggest protests against the government's 111-billion-pound ($178.29 billion) austerity drive since the coalition was formed last year.