|
 Coastguards
Wiling To Strike Over Pay Warns Union
MEMBERS of PCS
working for the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) have
overwhelmingly indicated their willingness to take strike action for
the first time in their 154 year history over pay it was announced
on 18 December 2007.
According to the Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS), 90% of
its members voted that they would take strike action in a
consultative ballot.
Up to 700 members
have taking part in industrial action, short of a strike since the
end of May 2007, over below inflation cost of living increases and
pay levels that fall way behind those paid to other emergency
services.
The PCS condemned pay levels in the MCA saying:- "The public
do not know that coastguard watch assistants, who actively
participate in search planning and other duties in response to 999
calls, only earn the national minimum wage!
Staff have also
been expected to stomach a pay cut in real terms with pay rises
averaging just 2.5% for many and the most experienced staff
receiving pay increases of less than 1%."
The PCS warned that it would, "Move to a formal ballot for
strike action should the agency and the government fail to address
pay disparities with other emergency services and continue with its
policy of cutting the pay of staff in real terms."
Commenting, Mark Serwotka, PCS general secretary, said:- "The
government and the MCA can be in no doubt about the feeling of
injustice amongst people who deliver a vital emergency service and
save lives.
It is an
absolute disgrace that you have coastguard watch assistants
receiving a pay rise this October merely to comply with the increase
in the national minimum wage.
Members are
angry that MCA management commissioned and then ignored findings of
pay comparison exercises carried out at the end of last year which
have supported the union's claim for comparability with other 999
services.
The campaign launch on public sector pay by the TUC shows that civil
and public servants across the public sector share that anger and
will no tolerate pay cuts in real terms being railroaded through.
The government
and the MCA can avoid strike action by acting now and recognising
that coastguards deserve fair pay at comparable levels to other
emergency services." |
Christmas Magic preformed by Matt Colman
SOUTHPORT
Magician Matt Colman took time out to go around Southport with us to
film this entertaining footage. Sadly, due to time, not all the
footage has been used, but be reassured, the rest will be used later
on in 2008. We would like to thank all who helped us produce this
video in Southport:- Flava, The Latin Lounge, Sandhu Off Licence,
Leo's Bar, Fuagos, S.F.C. Southport and Krush. We hope you enjoy the
program.
Please note that Real Player option is at higher resolution than the
none Real Player option.
New Year’s Eve in Liverpool – Liverpool Cathedral
THE world’s
highest and heaviest peal of bells will ring in Liverpool’s reign as
European Capital of Culture, as part of a special
multi-denominational celebration at Liverpool Cathedral on New
Year’s Eve.
The running order is as follows:-
2230hrs – Doors open
2300hrs – Love and Joy gospel choir start the service, which will
feature Bishop of Liverpool, James Jones and Archbishop Patrick
Kelly, together with many others.
2345hrs – The congregation move outside the building and assemble in
the carpark in front of the Rankin Porch.
At the approach of midnight, the Cathedral’s rarely tolled, 14.5
tonne bell, Great George, will ring out 12 times, as 12 candles are
lit on the porch.
At the sound of the last bell – at 0000hrs – a ‘2008’ sign in fire
writing will ignite on a 40ft x 10ft wall over the porch, while
eight searchlights illuminate the side of the Cathedral. |
