News digest 12 November 2010
The digest starts with the latest at BA,
while Rolls-Royce has isolated its engine trouble. After Boris
unveils his new bus, it’s back to demonstrations and cuts, Diageo
could be dropped, more Rok workers are sacked, this time by phone,
and there’s more trouble for twitterers, but a possible solution
for those that may go too far…
BA ballot suspended – Most of
the papers feature the latest development in the dispute which saw
joint general secretary Tony Woodley suspend the ballot on the BA
offer. Said Tony: “I have suspended the ballot on the
offer and will meet with all of our cabin crew representatives as a
matter of urgency to consider the next steps. Our representatives
will determine what course of action should be followed in order to
secure an offer that can be recommended to the members, who will
ultimately decide when this dispute can be settled."
(Sun p58, Times p27, Indie p20, Guardian p6, Telegraph p2, FT p4, Morning Star p5).
More engine trouble –
Rolls-Royce issued a trading statement today saying it has isolated
a single faulty component that was behind the mid air explosion of
its engine. The company believes it will be able to solve the
problem, although at a cost of some £100 million (Sun p58, Mail p95, Times p70, Telegraph b1, FT p18).
Boris’ bus – The new
Routemaster is unveiled in the depths of Acton, it looks quite
nice, but only five will be on London’s streets by the end of
Boris’ term in 2012 (Mirror
p43, Times p32,
Guardian p4).
Fees furore - Talking of
London’s streets, there’s more coverage of the Millbank invasion
with many of the papers saying that it was some 200 anarchists who
hijacked the demo. However, many of them now dwell on the next
steps in the campaign. With over 50,000 on the streets a national
day of action is expected to be called and Lib-Dems are the target,
expect voting records to be examined (Express p6, Mail p2, Indie p13, Times p14, Telegraph p12-13).
Back to the workhouse – And
after education, yesterday the government announced the harshest
benefit rules for 65 years are to be introduced in the midst of one
of the worst economic downturns. Former ‘quiet man’ and now work
and pensions secretary Iain Duncan Smith announced a raft of
changes to simplify the benefits system yesterday, although he was
lax on the specifics. The general line is lone parents look to lose
most, but generally if you lose your job you’ll lose most support
(Mirror p6-7, Sun p2, Mail p8, Times p18, Guardian p1, FT p3, Morning Star p1).
NHS not protected – Another
broken Con-Dem promise as the RCN has found plans for 27,000 nurses
to be axed (Mirror p8-9,
Guardian p23, Morning Star p2).
EU bill blasted – And
Cameron’s so-called referendum lock for major changes to EU
treaties looks to be unravelling as a clause is inserted in the
bill which will allow the government to nod it through without a
referendum, the Sun (p12)
says Tory eurosceptics have erupted in fury, although not sure
you’d notice the difference with many of them (Express p4, Guardian p19, Indie p11).
Ireland on the brink – And
quite a few of the papers continue the coverage of what should
really be called the economic carnage in Ireland as fears over
Ireland’s borrowing spreads contagion across Europe. The FT (p1) dwells on the financial impact,
while the Guardian (p26)
focuses on people and what it means for the ordinary person in the
street: ‘There’s a feeling that people’s money is just
running out.’ is the headline (Telegraph b1, Indie p43)
Diageo attack – And the
brewer of Guinness could be ousted from the beer trade body the
British Beer & Pub Association in a backlash over the company’s
tax proposals which would see the cost of a pint rise, if Diageo is
ejected it will lose its place at talks between the industry and
government over new taxes (Telegraph b1).
Caterers’ challenge – And
from drink to food as a catering worker at investment bank Goldman
Sachs’ Fleet Street offices has been sacked in a row amid
allegations of racism. Unite has asked the bank to intervene
after contractor Aramark dismissed the caterer. A planned demo due
to be held yesterday was postponed (Morning Star p5,
yesterday’s Indie,
yesterday’s Times).
More Rok cuts – Another 260
jobs go at company, outrage after many only told by phone (Mirror p39, Mail p96, Indie p48, Guardian p36, Morning Star p5).
BT on the up – Company has
acquired 114,000 new broadband customers in last quarter and
generated profits of some £496 million (Mirror p64, Express p66, FT p17)
O2 rings in the profits –
More mobile customers drives profits for the last three months to
£352 million 9, Mirror
p64).
Twitterer guilty – But the
man who sent a tweet from his phone threatening to blow up Robin
Hood airport has lost his appeal against his conviction for
‘menace’ (Guardian
p21).
Conservative councillor arrested over
tweet – More twitter trouble, almost all papers report on
the Tory who called for a broadcaster to be stoned to death has
been arrested after being reported to the police, he has been
suspended by the Tories who are investigating the issue (Mirror p25, Mail p25, Times p29, Telegraph p18).
Yes you can - And in more
online trouble the Morning Star (p7) reports
on the US National Labour Relations Board which has stepped in to
support a woman after she criticised her employer on Facebook.
Although the company has a policy saying its employees must not
criticise it on any forms of social media, the National Labour
Relations Act enshrines the right to join a union and discuss union
issues without punishment. Too right.
Off your Facebook – For all
those now worried about what they may say the Mirror (p39) reports that boozed up
Facebookers and twitterers can download a new app which shows if
they are too tipsy to tweet…
Edited by Mik Sabiers
Subscribe to this post's comments using
RSS
Comments
