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Rail and postal workers postpone strike action in ‘mark of respect’ for Queen
Proposed railway works could also be postponed to ensure people can travel to pay their respects.
A number of large strike demonstrations have been postponed by rail and postal workers following the death of Queen Elizabeth II on Thursday 8 September.
In a mark of respect for the late monarch, unions representing rail workers and Royal Mail postal staff said that they had made the decision to cancel immediate strike action “out of respect for her service to the country and her family.”
Postal workers had previously planned to hold strike action on Friday 9 September, with members voting by 98.7% to pursue further action, on a 72.2% turnout.
RMT rail workers had also planned walkouts on 15 and 17 September, but this has now been suspended.
Speaking on the death of Queen Elizabeth II, RMT’s Mick Lynch, who has been a vocal presence for RMT this summer, said: “RMT joins the whole nation in paying its respects to Queen Elizabeth.
“The planned railway strike action on 15 and 17 September is suspended.
“We express our deepest condolences to her family, friends and the country.”
Aslef, the train drivers’ union, has also postponed strike action that had originally been planned for 15 September.
The cancellations of planned strikes mean that railway services will run as normal, bosses said.
A spokesperson from the Rail Delivery Group, which represents train operators, said it welcomed the decision by the RMT to call off next week’s strike action at a time of “national mourning”.
“The whole railway family is united in sending our condolences to the Royal Family,” the spokesperson said.
The RMT Union will reschedule the strikes, it is believed, although it has not yet decided when they would take place. However, it has been confirmed that two weeks’ notice will be given in advance of any strike action.
Proposed railway works could also be postponed to ensure people can travel to pay their respects.
Feature image – Geograph / Geograph
News
Police appeal to find next of kin after man found outside Palace Theatre
Daisy Jackson
Police are trying to track down the family of a man who died after being found unresponsive outside the Palace Theatre in Manchester.
The man, who has now been named as Jonathan Bernard Carroll, was seen outside the city centre theatre at around 6.30am on Tuesday 12 November.
Emergency services rushed to the scene and Mr Carroll was taken to hospital.
Tragically, the 47-year-old passed away a short time later.
A large cordon was in place on Whitworth Street and Oxford Road while police and security attended the incident.
Greater Manchester Police are now appealing to find his next of kin.
It’s believed that he resided in the Salford area of Greater Manchester.
Anyone with any information should contact the Coroner’s Office on 0161 856 1376.
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Featured image: The Manc Group
News
Greater Manchester public urged to help get people ‘off the streets and on their feet’ before Christmas
Emily Sergeant
Locals are being urged to help get hundreds of people “off the streets and back on their feet” this festive season.
As the temperatures told colder by the day, and Christmas creeps closer and closer, Greater Manchester Mayor’s Charity is bringing back ‘1000 Beds for Christmas’, and the massively-important initiative is aiming to provide 1,000 nights of accommodation to people at risk of homelessness before the big day arrives.
Forming part of the ongoing ‘A Bed Every Night’ scheme, this festive fundraising mission is designed to provide food, shelter, warmth, and dedicated vital wrap-around support for those who need it most.
The charity says it wants to build on the “incredible success of 2023”, which raised more than £55,000 and provided 1,800 nights of accommodation.
Stockport-based property finance specialists, Together – which has supported the campaign for the last two years – has, once again, generously pledged to match every public donation for the first £20,000 raised.
Unfamiliar with the ‘A Bed Every Night’ scheme? Since 2017, when rough sleeping peaked, the initiative has helped ensure a significantly-higher rate of reduction in the numbers of people facing a night on streets in Greater Manchester than seen nationally.
The landmark scheme has given people the chance to rebuild their lives, while also giving them access to key services and opportunities that allows them to stay off the streets for good.
Despite the scheme’s recent success, organisations across Greater Manchester are under “a huge amount of pressure” to meet the demand for their services this winter, and given the current economic outlook, household budgets will continue to be squeezed – leaving people on the sharp end of inequality and poverty.
Read more:
“Help us be a lifeline to organisations on the frontline,” Greater Manchester Mayor’s Charity urged in it’s public appeal for donations.
You can help make sure ‘A Bed Every Night’ is a reality for all by donating here.
Featured Image – EthelRedThePetrolHead (via Flickr)
Georgina Pellant -
9th September 2022 
