FSB joins calls for Portland Street rethink

THE UK’s biggest business support organisation, the Federation of Small Businesses, (FSB), has expressed its concern at plans to introduce speed bumps and restricted access to Portland Street in Southport.

FSB Sefton & Ormskirk Branch Chairman, Mr John Allan, has been contacted by a number of concerned retailers in the area who are extremely concerned that their businesses face ruin should these plans go ahead. The FSB has some 1500 members in the Sefton & Ormskirk Branch, part of 7,000 across Merseyside and Cheshire.

Mr Allan said:- “Sefton Council needs to take a long hard look at these plans given the current economic climate. Small businesses need all the assistance they can get to continue to trade in this recession. To stop customers accessing these shops easily as they have done for very many years is akin to signing a demolition order.

Councils seem to constantly forget that it is small independent retailers that give a town its sense of community and a reason for people to visit.

Small business create jobs for local people and provide vital products and services. Traders such as those on Portland Street should be celebrated, supported and encouraged to grow, and should not be allowed to be part of the grim statistics that sees 2000 small shops closing their doors for good each year.”

Usdaw calls on Labour for better redundancy rights

SHOPWORKERS' union, Usdaw, called on the Government to improve redundancy rights at the Labour Party Conference.  The union is asking for redundancy pay to be available to all workers from day 1 of employment.

John Hannett, Usdaw General Secretary, moved the proposition at the conference. John said:- "In the current global economic downturn, with high profile business closures such as Woolworths, workers are worried about their future employment and are looking to the Government to provide a level playing field of fairness in the workplace.

Around 1/3rd of UK workers have been in their current employment for less than 2 years. These workers have no right to statutory redundancy pay, should the worst happen and they lose their job because their employer goes bust. And many contractual schemes are linked to the statutory scheme, making many workers even more vulnerable.

Making redundancy available from day 1 of employment would provide some sort of justice for those unfortunate enough to lose their job so soon after starting it.

It would have a particular benefit to Usdaw members, many of whom are young workers and women working part-time.

These workers are the most likely to move between jobs and can spend many years of their working life with less than 2 year's service with a particular employer."

Mandelson Serves Up Fair Deal On Tips And Announces New Minimum Wage Rates

NEW rules come into force on 1 October 2009 to ensure that thousands of workers get a fair deal on tips and wages.

The changes make it illegal for businesses to use tips to bring staff pay up to minimum wage levels.

They come into effect on the same day as new increases to national minimum wage rates which will benefit up to one million people.

Business Secretary Lord Mandelson said:- “When I leave a tip I don’t expect it to be used to make up the minimum wage. I want it to go to the person who has served me as a thank you for their service. This is a basic issue of fairness. Tips are meant as a bonus – not a tool to boost pay to the basic minimum. That’s why the Government has closed this legal loophole. Thanks to the help and support of Unite, the British Hospitality Association, the CBI, Consumer Focus and other stakeholders we are also able to launch a new code of best practice today. This will promote good tipping practices amongst businesses and ensure that consumers are clear about what happens to their money.”

The action on tips is the latest development in the 10 year history of the National Minimum Wage. The new rates for this year, which also come into effect tomorrow, are:

· Low paid workers aged 22 and over get an increase from £5.73 to £5.80 an hour.

· The rate for 18 to 21 year olds has risen from £4.77 to £4.83.

· For 16 and 17 year olds, the rate has gone up to £3.57 an hour from £3.53.

Business Secretary Lord Mandelson said:- “The National Minimum Wage remains one of the most important rights for workers. It has made a real difference to the lives of the UK’s lowest-paid workers. It protects them from exploitation and also creates a level playing field for business, making a huge contribution to the UK’s economic success.”

Consultation during the development of the Government’s policy on tipping has shown wide support for the changes, including from business groups, unions and consumer groups. The code of practice will be closely monitored to ensure that it is a success, with a review in one year's time.

Derek Simpson, Unite joint general secretary said:- "There is now an urgent need for the hospitality industry to be transparent in how they handle the tips and service charge money left for staff. The Code launched today will help consumers see where the money left for good service is going. Unite is looking to the sector to adhere to the best practice principles and ensure that customers have the information they need to make an informed choice before they leave a tip or service charge. Unite wants to see all employers sign up to the Code and ensure that their staff and customers can be confident that staff are treated fairly."