Meridian Strike News

A week-long strike by Brighton and Hove's refuse collectors continues. Binmen held a demonstration through the city streets on Saturday. The industrial action is over a change to allowances which coud see some workers pay cut by thousands of pounds.

The City Council and union officials are due to meet later today.

Brighton & Hove City Council has apologised to residents for the disruption and has advised people to take their rubbish to recycling centres.

We are very sorry that our service is being affected during the dispute and will keep you up to date with developments

From @BrightonHoveCC on Twitter: ( 6:35 am, Mon 17 Jun 2013)

If you can please take rubbish and recycing to a recycling centre. Extended opening hours start today http://t.co/Cxfbm5vg6W #Brighton #Hove

From @BrightonHoveCC on Twitter: ( 6:35 am, Mon 17 Jun 2013)

• UK
• Brighton & Hove
• Sussex

Protestor have begun to gather outside the Tonbridge campus of K College in Kent to protest about plans to cut up to 145 jobs.

The college, whch has campuses across the county, is 11 million pounds in debt.

Campaigners are also fighting proposals to shut down the Folkestone campus.

• Education
• Kent
• K College

Around 200 members of staff at K College in Kent are expected to take industrial action on the afternoon of Monday October 8. They are protesting at plans to make up to 145 members of staff redundant, following revelations that the institution is £11 million in debt.

Managers and the board of governors are due to hold a meeting about the college's financial situation this afternoon. Protesters fighting the cuts have set up a campaign group called 'Save K College' which has its own social media page.

• Education
• K College
• Kent

Southampton Council workers have accepted a deal to end the long running dispute over pay cuts imposed by the City Council.

The workers have held a series of strikes since the dispute started back in February 2011.

Under the new deal workers will see their pay restored in stages and those made redundant as a result of the 2011 / 12 Council budget will receive a one off compensation payment..

“UNISON members have voted by a large majority to accept this settlement because it restores that pay which was cut by the previous Conservative administration. Council workers now face savage job cuts being forced on the Council by the actions of the Coalition Government in reducing funding.”

In return for the settlement, UNISON and Unite will withdraw all legal action against the Council and call off ongoing industrial action.

• UK
• Southampton
• council

Thousands of ferry passengers have been hit by a second day of wildcat strikes on Brittany Ferries between France and England.

Sailings from Portsmouth have been affected by the industrial action being held by workers in France. Negotiations are underway between managers and employees to resolve the row which is about cost cutting measures after three years of losses at the transport firm.

• Business
• Strike
• Brittany ferries

Essex firefighters have called off a strike that was due to take place today. The Fire Brigades Union says significant progress was make in talks yesterday. The strike was originally planned as part of a dispute involving changes in working practices.

• UK
• Essex
• firefighters

Transport union RMT confirmed today that bus drivers working for Stagecoach out of their Winchester depot are to take strike action in a dispute over pay.

Stagecoach say that local authority spending cuts have had "a significant impact" forcing them to act in the hope of protecting jobs.

Pay deals are negotiated locally and each of our depots needs to be viable in its own right. Local authority spending cuts have had a significant impact on the financial position at Winchester depot. We have been working hard to protect jobs against the background of a tough economy and rising costs, both of which have a direct impact on pay and employment.

"We had a positive meeting with local RMT officials last night and a revised offer is being put to union members tomorrow. Only 35 union members out of a total of 96 drivers at Winchester depot voted in favour of a strike."

• UK
• Winchester
• Stagecoach

Transport union RMT confirmed today that bus drivers working for Stagecoach out of their Winchester depot are to take strike action in a dispute over pay.

The walkout will affect services over the next two weekends.

Despite lengthy negotiations there were "massive votes in favour of both strike action and action short of a strike, reflecting the level of anger on the shop floor", the union said.

Stagecoach is a highly profitable company with the UK bus division generating a massive pound for pound return for shareholders so there is no excuse whatsoever for trying to force down the living standards of our members.

“The Winchester drivers have shown their determination, anger and solidarity in massive votes for action and RMT would call on the company to sit down with us and negotiate a fair deal on pay that reflects the hard work of these staff.”

• UK
• Winchester
• Stagecoach

Quay assistants at the centre of a contract dispute at Portsmouth International Port have voted to accept a deal set by Unite and the port's management.

The new agreement will see all staff moved onto the superior ‘old’ contract, and all overtime after midnight will be worked on a voluntary basis.

In a joint statement, the employers, Portsmouth City Council and Unite, said: "A consultative ballot has taken place amongst Unite members and the quay assistants have unanimously voted in favour of accepting the new proposal.

“This result has resolved the current difficulties and both sides look forward to working constructively in the future."

The resolution came after a unanimous ballot resulted in favour of strike action which, it was feared, could affect Olympic travel.

• UK
• Portsmouth
• strike