British Airways strikes: Airline boss Alex Cruz blames ‘cynical actions’ of pilots for walkout September 9, 2019 British Airways chief executive Alex Cruz has blamed the “cynical actions” of its pilots’ union for a two-day strike that has left airport terminals empty. BA pilots who are members of the British Airline Pilots’ Association (Balpa) have begun a 48-hour walk-out in a dispute over pay and working conditions. Read more: Nearly all British [...]
1,700 jobs at risk as Ford may pull plug on plant June 5, 2019 Workers fear “disaster” as carmaker Ford prepares for talks tomorrow over the future of its engine plant in Bridgend. Unions will descend on the company’s Essex headquarters to discuss the future of the Welsh factory which employs 1,700. “If our worst fears are confirmed it will mean disaster for both our members in Bridgend and [...]
British Airways strikes: Pilots could call off action if BA considers pay offer September 5, 2019 British Airline pilots who are threatening to strike next week have said the industrial action could be averted if the airline considers a new pay offer it has put forward. Pilots who are members of the British Airline Pilots’ Association (Balpa) are due to strike on 9, 10 and 27 September but have said they [...]
Is Sadiq Khan’s re-election as London Mayor inevitable? March 22, 2021 On Thursday 6 May, Londoners will go to the polls. Or, more likely, many won’t; turnout last time was 45 per cent to elect a new mayor, or else confirm the incumbent in office. This is the largest single exercise in democracy the UK has, excepting referendums, with an electorate of around five and a [...]
Why Greensill’s collapse could spell calamity for Gupta’s steel empire March 12, 2021 Australian financier Lex Greensill’s financial empire has collapsed just a year after seeking a $7bn valuation. On Monday Greensill Capital filed for administration and it risks taking Sanjeev Gupta’s steel empire down with it. What went wrong for the banker and the steel magnate and how will its demise affect thousands of British steel jobs? [...]
Ovo Energy to cut 2,600 jobs following SSE deal May 19, 2020 The UK’s second largest energy supplier, Ovo Energy, is planning to cut 2,600 jobs following its merger with SSE, blaming coronavirus for some of the cuts. Ovo, which closed a £500m deal for SSE’s retail arm this year, said the coronavirus pandemic had accelerated its integration plans for the businesses. “We are seeing a rapid [...]
Centrica staff may have to sign new contracts or risk more redundancies July 16, 2020 Workers at British Gas owner Centrica have been told they may have to accept new employment conditions or risk having their jobs cut. It was reported that the services firm has told employees to sign new contracts or risk a second wave of redundancies. Last month Centrica announced that it would slash 5,000 jobs in [...]
The unions stand on the precipice May 13, 2020 Len McCluskey, the leader of the trade union Unite, probably did as much as anybody to ensure Boris Johnson’s massive electoral victory last December. A fervent supporter of Jeremy Corbyn, his grip on the Labour Party machine compelled Labour to fight the election with its most unpopular and inept leader in history. McCluskey is up [...]
Government faces calls to safeguard British Steel jobs as company edges closer to administration May 21, 2019 Whitehall officials this morning faced calls to “put their money where their mouth is” by giving British Steel the funding it needs to avoid administration and safeguard tens of thousands of jobs. Read more: Troubled British Steel braces for insolvency in last-ditch loan talks Britain’s second-biggest steel maker has for the last week been lobbying [...]
Boris Johnson refuses to censure British Airways on workers conditions July 15, 2020 Boris Johnson has refused to condemn British Airways for planning to rehire 30,000 workers on worse conditions in a fiery Prime Minister’s Questions (PMQs). Sir Keir Starmer pushed the Prime Minister on whether the coronavirus bail outs, loans and grants should come with conditions that companies do not diminish workers’ rights. It was reported two [...]