‘SLIPS AND TRIPS’ SCAMS ON THE RISE

BUSINESSESS on Merseyside need to be wary of a rise in employers’ liability scams in the region.

Criminal gangs have moved to employment fraud after a clampdown on motor fraud, says Ged Smith, Regional Managing Director, North West, for insurance broker Jardine Lloyd Thompson.  So-called ‘crash-for-cash’ rackets have dropped since the Insurance Fraud Bureau (IFB) and local police forces cracked down on them, but fraudsters have moved onto staged accidents in workplaces.

Ged said:- “There is now sufficient anecdotal evidence to suggest that these groups are moving on to easy pickings elsewhere, namely employers or public liability claims.  The criminals focus on inherently dangerous places like building sites - but all businesses that use temporary labour must be careful in the future.  Gangs have started taking on part-time or contracted work in order to fake an accident and make a claim."

Ged said that the North West has been particularly badly affected, as it was one of the areas once known as a hotspot for motor fraud.  “Firms simply need to be aware of this type of fraud and take whatever steps they can do defend themselves.  They must have confidence in their Health and Safety systems, be vigilant when taking on new staff and keep in regular contact with their brokers on any contentious issues”.

Capture the majesty of the QM2

PASSENGERS on board the Mersey Ferries can get close to another vessel famous the world over – the Queen Mary 2.  Merseytravel has arranged for all three Ferries to take to the water during the visit on Tuesday, 20 October 2009 - with extra services throughout the day and into the night.  Neil Scales, Chief Executive and Director General of Merseytravel which owns and operates the ferries, said:- “The Mersey Ferries will offer a fantastic opportunity to make the most of the visit of the Queen Mary 2. We’re doing what we can to make the QM2 as accessible to as many people as possible. Blue badge guides will provide commentary on many of the cruises, but it’s best to check which ones when booking tickets.”  As well as the regular morning and evening sailings, two of the ferries will offer welcome cruises that will sail out to meet the QM2 as she enters the Mersey (leaving from Seacombe and Pier Head at 9.45am – tickets limited).  Pre-bookable viewing cruises will then run throughout the day from Seacombe every hour between 11am and 4pm.  For customers wishing to buy tickets on the day, additional River Explorer Cruises will operate from all terminals.  Triangular services between all three terminals may be extended beyond 7pm if there is demand.  The day culminates in a Queen Mary 2 Farewell and Fireworks cruise on the ferries, which leaves Pier Head (9.30pm), Seacombe (9.40pm) and Woodside (9.50pm) to say goodbye to the lady of the sea. Fireworks are scheduled for 10.30pm and the QM2 will leave at 11pm.  Ticket prices vary and special cruise tickets are available on the Mersey Ferries website or by calling:- 0151 330 1444.

Postal Workers urge Royal Mail to listen to its workforce and negotiate change

IN response to the overwhelming yes vote by postal workers for industrial action, union leaders in the North West have called on Royal Mail to cease its damaging practise of imposing unworkable working practises on a demoralised workforce and work with them to make Royal Mail a thriving modern postal business that not only delivers for its customers but values the people on the ground who deliver the service.

It’s incumbent on the Royal Mail Board to now avert a strike and enter into serious negotiations with the CWU and to cease the aggressive stance they have taken of introducing unagreed and unworkable working practises.  The Communication Workers Union in the North West also supports the call for an independent inquiry into increasing complaints from postal workers who claim to have been bullied in the workplace by managers.

Carl Webb, CWU North West Regional Secretary, said:- “Royal Mail is always telling us that they listen to their employees; well let’s hope that they mean what they say and immediately begin meaningful negotiations and begin treating all their staff with dignity and respect. Awarding a pay freeze to postmen and women when the company made a significant profit and then paying out massive bonuses to all management and board members was a slap in the face to all postal workers. Forcing additional work on postwomen and men without the time or resources to complete it is not the way for a modern industry to operate.

Modernisation should result in improved and new services for our customers not office closures, later deliveries, fewer collections. Modernisation should result in a staff being rewarded for their endeavours, not pay freezes, mass redundancies, and the casualisation of the industry. Whilst our members are here for the long haul Royal Mail senior management come and go clutching their large pay offs and handsome pensions whilst leaving our members to pick up the pieces of a once proud public postal service.

North West Postal workers want a fair days pay for a far days work, they want job security, no compulsory redundancies, and agreements covering full-time and part-time ratios, they want fair workloads with agreed standards of measurement, they want the practise of disciplining postal workers because they are unable complete overloaded delivery rounds ceased, they want their union to have the ability to negotiate change, but most of all they want a modern and successful Royal Mail that values their contribution to its success and they want their pension they have paid into protected.

Our members don’t want to take strike action and disrupt the service and they don’t want to lose pay, what they want is to be as valued by the management as they are by the public, and see the end to the running down of the postal service.

If Royal Mail management is unable to do this then reluctantly they will be forced to defend their industry and their futures.”