Rail Union RMT confirm further strike action

RMT confirms further strike dates on Northern Rail in fight over attacks on the role of the safety critical guard and the extension of Driver Only Operation in the name of increased profits.

The RMT has confirmed the fresh wave of action after the company made a mockery of the talks process the union had committed to in good faith. The union accused company bosses of stringing its negotiators along rather than looking seriously for a settlement.

All Arriva Rail North Conductor, Conductor Instructor and Train Driver members are instructed to take action as follows...

"Not to book on for on for duty between:-

► 00:01 and 23:59, on Saturday, 25 August 2018,
► 00:01 and 23:59, on Saturday, 1 September 2018
► 00:01 and 23:5,9 on Saturday, 8 September 2018."

RMT General Secretary Mick Cash said:- "RMT committed to talks in good faith with Northern, but instead of making progress towards a settlement that matches the best practice in the rail industry as negotiated elsewhere the company have opted instead to play and fast and loose making a mockery of the exercise. Our reps know when they are being strung along and it's that attitude from the company that has forced us to announce this next phase of action. RMT members on Arriva Rail North have been in dispute for well over a year now in a battle to put public safety before private profit and we are angry and frustrated that a genuine opportunity to reach an agreement has been kicked back by the company. German owned Northern Rail want to run nearly half a million trains a year without a safety critical guard on board in a move that would wreck both safety and access ‎to services and they should listen to their front line staff and pull back from that plan immediately. RMT recently secured an agreement on Greater Anglia that enshrine the guard guarantee. Similar agreements have also been reached in Wales and Scotland. Arriva Rail North need to do the right thing and come to an agreement that secures a guard on their trains too. We thank the public for their support and understanding throughout this dispute over rail safety and access and the union remains ready for genuine and serious talks."

Local Support Sought to Help Floristry Tutor Blossom at National Awards

A Floral Design tutor at Hugh Baird College has been nominated for a prestigious national award and is hoping to count on local support to help her win the industry competition.

Victoria Lyon, who has worked at the College for 14 years, is on the shortlist for:- 'Floristry Tutor of the Year' at the annual British Florist Association awards in October. Victoria was nominated by current students at Hugh Baird College for her passion and enthusiasm for teaching floristry and the outstanding support she offers them.

The British Florist Association is the official voice of the UK floristry industry and the only trade organisation in the industry to be formally recognised as such, meaning that the annual awards are truly representative of the cream of the industry.

The awards are designated via online public voting, with the winner of the Floristry Tutor of the Year award being the nominee, of which there are 23, with the most votes by the deadline of 10 September 2018.

Victoria, who gained her floral design qualifications with Hugh Baird College, has helped hundreds of florists start their careers in the industry and has been involved with winning awards at numerous national and European competitions including:- RHS Chelsea Flower Show, Southport Flower Show and FleurEx.

Victoria said:- "I’m incredibly honoured to be nominated, it was a real surprise! I’m very lucky to have a job that I love, I enjoy teaching and sharing my skills with our students and seeing them progress into the industry. I want to thank all of my students for nominating me for this award, I’m so delighted."

Maria Stevens, Assistant Director at Hugh Baird College, said:- "Victoria’s nomination is recognition of the hard work and commitment she invests in each and every one of our budding florists. The whole College is thrilled, and we are hoping our local community will support her by casting their vote online."

The College’s Floral Design team have also been nominated for:- ‘Training Provider of the Year’. The team are one of only 25 providers in the UK to be shortlisted for the award.

Voting closes on the 10 September 2018 and those interested in supporting Victoria and the College can cast their online vote now.