Action by ASLEF and RMT train drivers brings fresh disappointment for customers following new timetable roll-out says Northern

NORTHERN will be unable to operate any services on 2 dates next week as a result of the latest strike action by the ASLEF and RMT unions, a situation the train operator has called a:- 'fresh disappointment' for customers. ASLEF and RMT members employed in the role of train drivers will strike on Wednesday 1 February and Friday 3 February 2023; bringing all Northern services across the Region to a halt. Since the last industrial action came to an end in early January, Northern has been operating its new 'December 22' timetable - which brought with it extra services across its network and has seen cancellations reduced for both on the day and planned cancellations (known in the industry as P-codes).

Tricia Williams, chief operating officer at Northern, said:- "Our new timetable, which is fully resourced and agreed with the trade unions, was designed to give our operations an increased resilience - and in the 1st few weeks of it operating, early signs are suggesting it is doing just that. All we can do is apologise to our customers for the disruption this action by ASLEF and the RMT will cause and hope a resolution to this dispute can be found very soon."

Northern is the 2nd largest train operator in the UK, with nearly 2,500 services a day to more than 500 stations across the North of England.
 

Briggs Marine workers in Liverpool secure double digit pay boost

UNITE, the UK's leading union, has secured a double digit pay boost for workers employed at the Port of Liverpool by Briggs Marine, who are responsible for mooring ships. The deal covers over 50 members of Unite. The workers will receive an 8% increase in basic pay, overtime rates and shore tension payments, backdated to 1 January 2023. In addition, the workers will receive a separate 1 off cost of living increase. This will be worth £1,300 for the lowest paid mooring operatives, while charge hands and coxswains will receive a payment of £800. Unite General Secretary Sharon Graham said:- "This is a strong deal for our members, providing both a permanent pay increase and financial support during the cost of living crisis. This pay deal is further evidence that Unite's relentless focus on jobs, pay and conditions is generating substantial financial benefits for our members."

The workers will also receive an increase of 3 days in annual leave entitlement. Furthermore, the company has committed to monitor sickness and absenteeism over the coming year as part of a consideration in improving sick pay arrangements in the future. Unite Lead Officer for Freeports, Steven Gerrard, said:- "Briggs Marine worked constructively with Unite to ensure that this deal was concluded in good time and could be quickly applied to the 1 January anniversary date. Unite will be looking to build on these pay talks and the spirit they were conducted in during future negotiations."
 

Farm Update North events 2023

FARMERS and landowners are invited to attend this year's FREE Farm Update North events which will take place, on Wednesday, 1 March (Darlington) and Thursday, 2 March (Morpeth and Hexham) 2023. The event will provide delegates with the most up to date information on activities and issues for farmers, as well as the latest opportunities for advice and grant funding. The event is sponsored by Northumbrian Water. Speakers include:- the Environment Agency, Defra, the Catchment Sensitive Farming Advice Service, Natural England, the Forestry Commission, the Rural Payments Agency and Northumbrian Water. Each event will conclude with a panel discussion which will fronted by the CLA's Director North, Lucinda Douglas, and the NFU's North East Director Adam Bedford to reflect on the day's presentations, and to field questions from delegates.

Susan Mackirdy, Catchment Team Leader at Northumbrian Water, said:- "The Farm Update North meetings are important events in the diaries of North East farmers, landowners, agents and other interested parties, keeping them up to date with valuable information that helps them to prepare for the year ahead. This year will be no different and we are really looking forward to meeting face-to-face for the 1st time since the Pandemic."

Event details:-

►  1 March, 8.45am to 10.45am, Darlington Auction Mart, Humbleton Park, DL2 2YH

►  2 March, 8.45am to 10.45am, Cockle Park, nr Morpeth, NE61 3EA

►  2 March, 13.15pm to 4pm. Hexham Racecourse, High Yarridge, NE46 2JP

Register to attend this free event via:- CLA.Org.uk/Events.

Those wanting to attend requiring assistance with their booking can contact CLA North Events Coordinator, Olivia Skeoch by emailing:- Olivia.Skeoch@CLA.Org.UK. Early registration is encouraged as places are limited.
 

University strike dates in February and March confirmed

THE University and College Union has confirmed the dates of unprecedented strike action that will hit 150 UK Universities throughout February and March 2023.  Unless University employers make substantially improved offers in disputes over pay, working conditions and pension cuts, in total, 70,000 UCU members will walk out.

The full dates of strike action are:-

►  Week 1 - Wednesday, 1 February 2023 .

►  Week 2 - Thursday, 9 February and Friday, 10 February 2023.

►  Week 3 - Tuesday, 14 February, Wednesday, 15 February and Thursday, 16 February 2023.

►  Week 4 - Tuesday 21, Wednesday 22 and Thursday, 23 February 2023.

►  Week 5 - Monday, 27 February and Tuesday, 28 February and Wednesday, 1 March and Thursday, 2 March 2023.

►  [No action] week commencing Monday, 6 March 2023.

►  Week 6 - Thursday, 16 and Friday, 17 March 2023.

►  Week 7 - Monday, 20 Tuesday ,21 March and Wednesday 22 March 2023.

If the action goes ahead, it will be the biggest series of strikes ever to hit UK University campuses.

UCU general secretary Jo Grady said:- 'The University sector in the UK has over £40bn sitting in reserves, but instead of using that vast wealth to deliver a cost-of-living pay rise and reverse devastating pension cuts, University vice-chancellors would rather force staff to take strike action and see campuses shut down. There is a clear route out of these disputes, but at present vice-chancellors lack the political will to take it. They are failing staff who want to get back to work, and students who want to get on with their studies. Students understand that staff working conditions are their learning conditions and we are proud to have their support in these disputes. A system that relies on low pay and the rampant use of insecure contracts is a system which fails everyone. A resolution can be reached, but that is in the gift of University Vice Chancellors who need to urgently reassess their priorities and deliver a deal that benefits staff and students. From February, our union will begin reballoting its members to allow action to continue through the rest of the academic year, should they continue to drag their feet."