Emergency-service control rooms
The Fire Brigades Union fears that more than 60 jobs could be lost in Sussex if plans from the Home Office to merge emergency-service control rooms go ahead. Under the plan control rooms in the East and West Sussex fire services could merge with those of Surrey emergency services.
Ian Smith, the union's regional control representative said, "emergency fire control personnel are highly trained, skilled operators and are the first people to deal with an incident. Without their expertise, many lives would be lost."
Mr Smith went on to say that police and ambulance control rooms currently have their own group of workers with specialist knowledge specific to each emergency service.
The TUC has backed the fire Brigades Union saying that the mergers would undermine the true concept of best value and also the safety of public and emergency service workers.
Dagenham strike plans
Motor manufacturer Ford, faces strikes at its plant in Dagenham in Essex, the Labour Party conference was told in Brighton yesterday. Roger Lyons, of the Manufacturing Science and Finance Union (MSF), told a packed fringe meeting that, "there is no economic case for closing the plant."
John Cryer, the Labour MP for Hornchurch in Essex, said that the total number of jobs to go as a result of the ending of car production at Dagenham could eventually reached 30,000.
He said that the real reason for car production being chosen to close at the Dagenham plant was because it was a lot easier to sack workers in the UK than in Germany, where car production will continue.
Travel disruption from the French again.
Eurostar passengers travelling to France will possibly face disruption due to industrial action by French trade unions. Rail unions whose members work for the French national railway company SNCF, are planning industrial action which could affect the Eurostar service.
A spokesman for Eurostar could not say which services would be affected but hoped that the disruption would be minimal. He added that English and Belgian crews would be working normally.
Jobs to go in retail - Marks and Spencer
Over 2000 jobs are under threat following reports that retail clothing giant Marks and Spencer is considering closing up to 40 stores.
The troubled retailer is showing signs of desperation measures as it tries to reduce costs. The cost savings from store closures could be used to contribute to an extensive refurbishment of other existing stores. It is possible that some of the stores to close would be those bought from Littlewoods in 1997.
The shop workers union, USDAW has warned of disastrous consequences for staff and local economies.
Jobs gained in retail - House of Fraser
Department store chain House of Fraser, says that upto 1000 new jobs will be created as a result of expansion over the next four years. New stores will be opened in London, Norwich, and High Wycombe in Buckinghamshire, as well as revamping other stores.
The £800,000 pay-off
Jim Hodgkinson, formerly the chief executive of clothing retailer New Look, is reported to have received a pay-off of between £650,000 and £800,000 when he speedily left the company earlier this year. Mr Hodgkinson's departure followed complaints about his behaviour at an office party, where, he later admitted, he patted a female member of staff's bottom.
250 More jobs are threatened in the North-East
Valeo Security Systems in Blythe, Northumberland left its 250 workers dangling in the unknown as they went home last night. The French owned company is considering closing the plant in a cost-cutting exercise with work being moved to the Continent.
The news follows the announcement of the closure of the 280 job Courtaulds ladies-wear plant also in Blythe.
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