Latest news with #UniteUnion
BBC News
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Glasgow subway strike paused as union votes on offer
A planned strike on the Glasgow subway has been called off this than 100 Unite union workers were set to walk out on Saturday in a dispute over working following an interim offer by Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT), it has been suspended as members vote on the new pay, terms and conditions offer on said that if there is no agreement, strike action on 25, 27 and 28 June will still go ahead. A continuous overtime ban has also been in place since 13 strike dates coincided with Summer Sessions' outdoor gigs at Bellahouston Park - the Sex Pistols during the Punk All Dayer festival on 21 June, Sting on 25 June, Simple Minds on 27 June and Stereophonics on 28 said train drivers and station staff feel "totally devalued and ignored" because of working conditions, and are often working 10 hours beyond their contracts or being asked to take shifts at short said the subway system is "struggling" to operate due to chronic understaffing and that industrial action would cause "major disruption".Andrew Brown, Unite industrial officer, said: "An interim offer has been tabled by SPT. Our members will now decide if it provides a temporary solution until a wider long-term agreement can be secured."Strike action has been suspended for this Saturday (21 June) as an act of good faith while members are balloted on the offer."
Wales Online
06-06-2025
- Business
- Wales Online
Everything we know about winter fuel payment U-turn
Everything we know about winter fuel payment U-turn Although the news is welcomed by many, there is still some confusion over what the announcement could mean Charities and MPs were among those who hit out at the move last year (Image: Getty Images/Image Source ) Huge changes have been announced to Labour's highly controversial policy, which limited how many pensioners could receive the Winter Fuel Payment. Rachel Reeves said more people would qualify for the allowance "this winter", and Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said he wanted to widen the threshold for winter fuel in a U-turn on one of his government's first major policies. However details of the changes and who will be eligible remain unclear, with Sir Starmer failing to confirm how many people will now get it during Prime Minister's Questions on Wednesday. The payment - which is worth up to £300 to help with energy bills during the coldest months - was paid only to those on pension credit last year, but the policy was widely blamed for Labour's poor local election results. It saw 10 million fewer pensioners receive the money in 2024. Charities and MPs were among those who hit out at the move, showing concern for those whose income was slightly too high to qualify but then had expensive energy costs to pay. However, the restriction came in a bid to same save around £1.3 billion. Although the news is welcomed by many, there is still some confusion over what the announcement could mean. For money-saving tips, sign up to our Money newsletter here Here is everything we know about it so far. Article continues below Winter Fuel Payment means tested Last year, the Labour government introduced means-testing for the Winter Fuel Payment, meaning only certain pensioners over 66 would receive the money, rather than all pensioners. This resulted in over nine million UK pensioners losing the additional cash last winter. The move sparked significant backlash against Labour, which has persisted. Legal challenges have been launched against the government's decision, with charities warning it could push more elderly Brits into poverty. Research by Unite Union revealed that over two-thirds of its retired members had to reduce their heating last winter, a third took fewer baths or showers, and 16% had to cut back on hot meals due to the increased costs of trying to stay warm. The removal of the benefit was also linked to the rise in Reform Councillors in recent elections. Under the rules, you are eligible for the Winter Fuel Payment if you are over the state pension age of 66 and claiming one of the following benefits during the qualifying week: Income Support Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance Income-related Employment and Support Allowance Pension Credit Universal Credit What was announced this week? Although there have been no official announcements or changes today, one thing has been verified: Starmer's intention to increase the eligibility of pensioners for this winter's support payment. According to Jon Greer, Quilter's head of retirement policy, the Prime Minister's suggestion signifies a "notable shift in tone". Who will benefit from the U-turn? During Prime Minister's Questions, Sir Keir did not clarify who would benefit from the updated policy, despite acknowledging in a recent BBC interview that there was a pressing need for clarity. "We will look, again, as I said two weeks ago, at the eligibility for winter fuel, and of course, we'll set out how we pay for it," he responded when Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch queried about the number of pensioners, out of 10 million, who would have the allowance reinstated. The queries arose following Reeves' earlier statement that people "should be in no doubt that the means test will increase and more people will get winter fuel payment this winter". When will details be announced? Should the UK government wait until the Budget to announce the changes, it would be just prior to when payments are typically made. Eligible pensioners receive payments automatically in November or December. Under the current, short-lived system, individuals are required to claim pension credit - a top-up to the state pension for those on low incomes. Pressure from Welsh First Minister Eluned Morgan, who had previously urged the government to rethink the cuts to millions of retirees, welcomed the PM's surprise reversal on Wednesday. She says that Keir Starmer should now provide winter fuel payments to the "majority" of pensioners. Speaking to the BBC, Ms Morgan said millionaires shouldn't be getting the payment. She said: "I'm not sure if millionaires should be getting a winter fuel allowance. So let's just make sure that they don't get it." But Ms Morgan added: "People below that, that's where the conversation got to be. I do want the majority of pensioners - I think they made a massive contribution to the country." Martin Lewis comments The Money Saving Expert founder said he was "delighted" about the news, in a social media post.. He said it was worth "explaining" the two issues he had always had with the way that the Winter Fuel Payment means-test had been put in place. He said: "The first one is the level. Currently, for a single pensioner, only those earning under £11,800 a year get the £200 or £300 winter fuel help. Now with energy bills still high and other energy bill help being taken away, that really was a big hit to the pensioners who were just above that limit. "I'm hoping to see this limit increase from the current £11,800 up to £20,000 or more. Perhaps they might only do it and link it to higher-rate taxpayers." He added: "The means test that they linked Winter Fuel payment to was Pension Credit. Now, Pension Credit has long been a flawed benefit which has been critically underclaimed, and even now, after all the communication over Winter Fuel, there are still 700,000 eligible pensioners who should get Pension Credit and thus winter fuel payments who don't because they don't claim. "Often, it will be vulnerable people with onset dementia or people who just can't go through the complicated process, especially on forms, or the message hasn't been passed on to them as it's quite difficult to explain the level of income that you need to get it. "So let's just put that into perspective, 700,000 people who have a total income of under £11,800 a year are missing out on the Winter Fuel Payment, even though that's the level the government says they should get it. Article continues below "So my big message to the Chancellor is, don't just increase the threshold. You have to look at the means test mechanism to make sure that the most vulnerable pensioners in this country, if they have income below your threshold, actually get the Winter Fuel Payment. And my fingers are crossed they'll be listening."
Wales Online
06-06-2025
- Automotive
- Wales Online
Big change to how people use taxis in Swansea put forward
Big change to how people use taxis in Swansea put forward It follows concerns about people being left stranded but taxi drivers, passengers and others are to be consulted before the changes are introduced Taxi drivers might have to carry card payment systems to provide easier payment for customers (Image: Richard Swingler ) A Welsh council is considering making it mandatory for taxi drivers to carry card payment equipment after concerns were raised that some passengers would be 'put at risk' through a cash only payment method. Swansea Council has launched a public consultation for taxi operators and the public about the introduction of new rules that would make it necessary for all taxi drivers to offer a card payment option to customers. It said the move came after 'concerns raised by the public' that passengers risked being 'stranded' if they were not carrying cash. The council added that though several taxi companies and individual drivers already used card readers or provided an option for people to pay via a smartphone app, there were several taxi drivers that provided cash only means of payment. This, it said, put people who didn't carry cash, relying on modern payment methods like google pay or contactless payments, at risk of being stranded as they could not pay their fare. Never miss a Swansea story by signing up to our newsletter here There are 318 hackney carriages and 636 licensed private hire vehicles that are currently licensed by the city council. These figures exclude private hire vehicles. Article continues below The council will be consulting hackney carriage and private hire vehicle proprietors and drivers, representatives from the hackney carriage and private hire trades, Unite Union, representatives of equality groups and the public (through city council social media). The proposed rules are: The proprietor shall ensure that passengers are given the option to make payment for all journeys, via a debit card, credit card and contactless card payment. The proprietor shall ensure that all drivers of the vehicle are trained on how to use the card payment system and are aware that passengers must be able to have the option to make payment in this manner. Where a fault in the card payment system is identified, the proprietor must arrange repair/replacement within 48 hours. You can have your say through the Swansea council website by clicking here. David Hopkins, deputy leader and cabinet member for corporate service and performance, said: "As a council, we recognise that more and more people are using less cash these days to pay for services and are opting to use more modern methods such as contactless payment. "At the moment, there are no rules in place that state taxi drivers must carry card payment facilities as part of their licensing conditions. This can put some passengers at risk of being stranded if they only have card payment options and are not carrying cash." He added: "We are doing what we can to manage this issue at our busy city centre taxi ranks using our taxi marshals to identify passengers that are not carrying cash and require a taxi with card paying facilities. "These passengers are provided with a safe space to wait until a taxi is available. "We want to consult with taxi companies and individual licence holders to look at the benefits and implications of making it mandatory for proprietors of licensed vehicles to have card payment technology in their vehicles. We are also keen to hear from the public about the plans." Article continues below
The Independent
06-06-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Birmingham bin strike could last until end of year as workers make crucial vote
Unite has cautioned that the Birmingham bin dispute may extend until December, following a vote by workers to continue industrial action over jobs and pay. The union reported that 97 per cent of its members voted in favour of striking, with a 75 per cent turnout. The strikes initially began in January, after Unite claimed that the council had informed bin workers of potential pay cuts of up to £8,000, which for some, represents a quarter of their wages. Despite talks held under the conciliation service Acas, the dispute remains unresolved. Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: "After smearing these workers in public since January and telling them to accept a fair and reasonable offer that never existed, the council finally put a proposal in writing last week." 'True to form, the proposal came weeks late and was not in line with the ballpark offer discussed during Acas talks in May. 'It had been watered down by the government commissioners and the leader of the council despite them never having been in the negotiations. 'It beggars belief that a Labour government and Labour council is treating these workers so disgracefully. It is hardly surprising that so many working people are asking whose side Labour is on. 'The decision-makers at Birmingham council need to get in the room and put forward an acceptable offer. Unite will not allow these workers to be financially ruined – the strikes will continue for as long as it takes. 'Unite calls on the decision-makers to let common sense prevail in upcoming negotiations.' A Birmingham City Council spokesperson said: 'This is a service that needs to be transformed to one that citizens of Birmingham deserve and the council remains committed to resolving this dispute. 'We have made a fair and reasonable offer that we have asked Unite to put to their members and we are awaiting their response.' The council denied that the leader or the Commissioners had watered down any offer. It added that Unite's ballot was not a response to the council's latest offer that made through Acas. A spokesperson for Acas said: 'We recognise the challenges on all sides and the desire to find a resolution, and we stand ready to offer our support.'
The Independent
05-06-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Bin workers in Birmingham vote to continue strikes over pay and jobs
Unite has warned that the Birmingham bin dispute could last until December after workers voted to continue industrial action in a long-running dispute over jobs and pay. The union said its members voted by 97% in favour of strike action on a 75% turnout. Strikes began in January after Unite said the council told the bin workers they would face pay cuts of up to £8,000 – a quarter of their wages for some. Talks have been held under the chairmanship of the conciliation service Acas but the dispute remains deadlocked. Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: 'After smearing these workers in public since January and telling them to accept a fair and reasonable offer that never existed, the council finally put a proposal in writing last week. 'True to form, the proposal came weeks late and was not in line with the ballpark offer discussed during Acas talks in May. 'It had been watered down by the government commissioners and the leader of the council despite them never having been in the negotiations. 'It beggars belief that a Labour government and Labour council is treating these workers so disgracefully. It is hardly surprising that so many working people are asking whose side Labour is on. 'The decision-makers at Birmingham council need to get in the room and put forward an acceptable offer. Unite will not allow these workers to be financially ruined – the strikes will continue for as long as it takes. 'Unite calls on the decision-makers to let common sense prevail in upcoming negotiations.' A Birmingham City Council spokesperson said: 'This is a service that needs to be transformed to one that citizens of Birmingham deserve and the council remains committed to resolving this dispute. 'We have made a fair and reasonable offer that we have asked Unite to put to their members and we are awaiting their response.' The council denied that the leader or the Commissioners had watered down any offer. It added that Unite's ballot was not a response to the council's latest offer that made through Acas.
