News digest 14 September 2010
The TUC in
Manchesterleads most of the news pages as the Con-Dem
coalition starts to lose the argument as the reality of the coming
cuts starts to bite. Elsewhere there’s some detail on defence, on
the third anniversary of the start of the financial crisis there’s
a challenge for the casino capitalists, some not very diplomatic
discrimination and more trouble for Coulson…
TUC 1: Unions pledge action over cuts
- The first day of the TUC Conference in Manchester
dominates many paper headlines as TUC general secretary Brenda
Barber warns that Britain will be “a darker brutish
scary place” because of the Con-Dem cuts, Unite’s
Gail Cartmail called for co-ordinated action to fight the cuts:
”Unite welcomes the TUC’s commitment to stand ready and
assist unions in co-ordinating industrial action in this fight. We
cannot do it alone – we need to build wide and popular support, in
alliance with community-based organisations, faith groups and
charities.” The Sun (p2) says unions plan all out
war, while the Mail (p1)
accuses the BBC unions of bias after a threat to take strike action
during the Tory party conference. The Express (p4) talks of a wave of
crippling strikes. Most other papers are more balanced with the
FT (p4) arguing unions are making
a joint push to win over public opinion, the Times (p12-13) saying union
chiefs are starting to fight back while the Morning Star (p1) sums it
up as: “TUC kicks off with clear message – no
cuts.”
TUC 2: BBC strikes –
Thousands of BBC workers, including Unite members, could stage two
48 hour strikes expected to hit the Tory party conference and the
government’s comprehensive spending review. In the Mirror (p9) Unite’s Peter Skyte
said: “The BBC has a world-class workforce which
deserves world-class pensions.” The joint unions will
consult members before deciding on whether to take action over
changes to the pension scheme (Mail p1, Times p14, Indie p9, Telegraph p1).
TUC 3: Labour hustings –
David Miliband marches into trouble at the TUC Labour leadership
hustings by being the only candidate not to agree to join trade
unions in a protest march over spending cuts next month; instead he
highlighted his fund raising skills as a reason to be leader
(Times p13).
Cuts will lead to civil
unrest – Derek Barnett, president of the Police
Superintendents’ Association, warns that the cuts will lead to
widespread civil unrest and crime as front line police staff are
cut (Telegraph p1).
Public mood shifting – Mary
Riddell in the Telegraph
(p20) argues that Osborne’s cuts are playing into the hands of the
union movement as ordinary people are struggling to survive, and
that’s even before the next round of cuts. The Sun (p2) says the government’s
approval rating is now negative while the Times (p3) has the latest
opinion poll which says the coalition is facing a backlash on cuts,
saying they are too soon and too deep, the question is whether the
government will listen…
Birmingham council ultimatum
– And as an example of the kind of cuts that has people turning
against the coalition, Birmingham city council has written to
26,000 workers ranging from cleaners to teaching assistants saying
accept new contracts on worse conditions or lose your jobs; the
council is trying to save £300 million. Strike ballots are expected
(Sun p21, Mail p20, Times p12, Morning Star p5).
More
Connaught cuts – Another 700 jobs
go (Mirror p49, Sun p5, Express p65, Indie p36, Guardian p21, FT p4, Times p9)
Sea safety – Unite warns of
passenger and worker safety as ferry crew face pressures to
unshackle cargo while still at sea, meeting with Unite’s Julia Long
to be held in Hull tomorrow (Morning Star p5).
Defending defence- And both
the Indie (p4-5) and
the Telegraph (p16-17)
have a two page spread highlighting the importance of the defence
sector and Britain’s place in the world while the Mail (p69) has a profile of BAE’s
business following the announcement it was offloading its US
arm.
Berating bankers – On the
third anniversary of the start of the run on Northern Rock, and as
Adam Applegarth sets up a new company (Mirror p13), Unite’s Rob McGregor
attacks the banks noting that the financial services industry has
shed 100,000 jobs since the banking crisis began (Mirror p4, Unite
press release).
Replace O’Leary? – Ryanair
pilot writes to the FT suggesting that chief executive should be
replaced by an air stewardess after comments on co-pilots, he also
says the CEO should be charged for training, just like his cabin
crew (FT p1)
BA deal – GMB ground
engineers have agreed a deal which sees wages frozen and 300
voluntary redundancies (Sun
p41, Guardian p21).
BP benefit? – Some good news
possibly for BP as the cots of compensation may not be as high as
expected which means dividends may be back early next year
(Times p35, Guardian p25, Telegraph b3).
HP buys anew – Company buys
security software company ArcSight for £975 million (Mail p67, Indie p34).
Nokia exec quits – Vice
president Ansii Vanjoki quits as company steps up fight back with
new smartphone range (Indie p36, FT p25).
Film Council chief out – And
UK Film Council chief John Woodward announces his resignation with
a sideswipe at the government (FT
p2, Telegraph p4).
AB Foods boost – Company
announces upbeat trading statement, although the company was held
back by poorer sales growth in its Primark chain (Express p68, Mail p66, Telegraph b3).
Kraft to
China– Company looks to expand sales of Cadbury
chocolate overseas (Express
p68).
Diplomatic discrimination –
Deaf diplomat takes government to court over refusal to give her a
post overseas even though she had a successful stint in Poland
(Indie p6).
Woolas versus Watkins - MP
Phil Woolas’ court case over his campaign is featured in all papers
with accusation of stirring racial division to hold on to his seat
(Sun p2, Express, p2, Mail p24, Times p9, Telegraph p10, Guardian p5, Indie p36, FT p4)
Interns want pay – The
Indie (p19) talks about
the plight of interns at Westminster with many MPs unable to offer
any pay.
Celebrities want blood? – And
finally there’s no let up for Andy Coulson as the phone hacking
story sees former Met officer Brian Paddick and Labour MP Chris
Bryant launch a bid for a judicial review as Steve Coogan and Chris
Tarrant take legal action (Guardian p4, FT p2).
Edited by Mik
Sabiers
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