ASLEF train drivers at Northern have voted “overwhelmingly” to continue taking strike action for another six months.
The union announced the results of the vote yesterday, alongside the dates for a fresh round of strikes and overtime bans – with the next strike set to take place at the start of next month on the Northern network, as well as LNER.
ASLEF members at Northern will take strike action on Friday 1 March for “a failure by the company to adhere to existing agreements”, according to the union, and on top of this, will also take action short of a strike – which is also known as an ‘overtime ban’ – on the network from Thursday 29 February to Saturday 2 March.
Travel disruption is expected all across the North and the rest of the UK during this time – including here in Greater Manchester.
Members of the ASLEF union will stage a series of strikes at the end of this month / Credit: National Rail
This particular industrial action being taken by ASLEF members is separate to what is a very long-running dispute with the Department for Transport (DfT) over pay and working conditions.
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With mandates for industrial action only lasting six months at a time, due to what ASLEF has referred to as the Conservative Government’s “anti-union legislation”, this was what led the union to having to reballot its members.
93.9% of ASELF members at Northern voted ‘yes’ to continuing strike action, with 96.6% also voting ‘yes’ to action short of strike.
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The overall ballot turnout for Northern Trains was 76.7%.
We have announced strikes and an overtime ban at two train companies – LNER and Northern – for their persistent failure to comply with existing agreements – read more: https://t.co/47wz9CyVdT
“We are fed up to the back teeth with the bad faith shown, day after day, week after week, and month after month by these two companies,” commented ASLEF’s General Secretary, Mick Whelan, as the ballot votes were released and fresh strike dates confirmed.
‘We always stick to agreements which we make. These companies think they can break agreements – which they freely enter into – whenever it suits them. And they’re wrong.
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“This is a shot across their bows and a sign of things to come.
“They need to stop what they are doing, start to behave properly and honourably, because their drivers are no longer prepared to be treated like this.”
Featured Image – Northern
News
Everyone in England can now get FREE careers advice as part of a new Government scheme
Emily Sergeant
People all across the country now have the ability to access support from dedicated career advisers completely free of charge.
That’s because, for the first time ever, the full range of support previously offered by the National Careers Service will be available through Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) under the Government, creating a more joined-up service for people at every stage of their career.
Around 500 qualified careers advisers have joined the DWP, it has been confirmed, and they will provide expert careers information, advice, and guidance alongside the existing employment and skills support that are already available through Jobcentres.
But the key is here, the free careers support will be available to everyone – regardless of whether they claim benefits.
The services are set to be accessed either online, over the phone, or through face-to-face appointments at Jobcentres, giving people a single place to access the advice they need to take their next step.
As mentioned, these new services are part of the wider reforms the Government says it is taking to ‘give everyone the opportunity to succeed’.
These reforms include £2.5 billion of youth employment support, and £3.5 billion investment in employment support for disabled people and those with long-term health conditions.
Support can be accessed online via the Get Careers Information and Advice page HERE, as well as through the freephone service on 0800 072 0288.
Face-to-face appointments will then be available in Jobcentres later this month.
Featured Image – Vitaly Gariev (via Unsplash)
News
Beloved Manchester artist Stanley Chow slams Conservative Party for using his artwork
Daisy Jackson
Celebrated local artist Stanley Chow has lashed out at the Conservative Party.
The illustrator, who is famed for his cartoon portraits of famous faces, has discovered that the political party have been using his Andy Burnham illustration at their party conference.
Publicly addressing the usage, Stanley said he would be ‘seeking legal advice’.
He shared a photo of his Andy Burnham portrait that has been placed onto a water bottle with the slogan ‘Bottler Burnham’.
The label also says: “0% strength. Bottled under pressure from Badenoch.”
In another photo, Stanley Chow revealed that the Tory party conference has used his Andy Burnham portrait on pots of sweets, too.
This time, they say: “Andy Panders’ people pleaser pick n mix. Free sweets for everyone, it will only cost you higher taxes.”
Stanley wrote: “It seems like @conservatives have been using my artwork without my permission at their conference party…
“Regardless of whatever your political allegiances are, it’s still copyright infringement… I’ll be seeking legal advice.”
Backing him up in the comments are a number of other local artists, including Mancsy, who said: “As well as the copyright infringement, I expect more of political parties than making gags at the expense of the opposition. It’s alarming on multiple levels.”
Someone else wrote: “Imagine calling a prime minister a people pleaser like it’s an insult… when it’s their job.”
Another person said: “How does that even happen?! Layers of people signing off who go, ‘Sure, let’s not worry about copyright’ (people who’ve presumably never step foot in MCR and seen your artwork, like EVERYWHERE). Drag em, babe. Copyright and reputation, surely.”
Emily Sergeant -
15th February 2024 
