Blame Jeremy Corbyn for the increasing number of public sector strikes August 16, 2016 The total number of working days lost through labour disputes last year was, at just 170,000, the second lowest annual total since records began in 1891. What a difference a year can make. Southern Rail commuters have endured months of misery due to the prolonged series of strikes called by the RMT. Union members on Eurostar [...]
Everyone will benefit from the coming “brain free” car revolution August 16, 2016 Driverless cars are making headlines, with the future of travel revealing itself to be grounded very much in the present. It’s a thrilling time to be in the motor business as trials of new vehicles are gaining momentum. And while it will take time for the technology to be fully rolled out on our roads, completely [...]
RMT vote in favour of station staff strikes on Govia network following planned ticket office closure August 16, 2016 The Rail, Maritime and Transport Union (RMT) announced 70 per cent of members had voted in favour of further strike action on the Govia Thameslink (GTR) network. The total number of people balloted was 407 of which 120 voted against the action with a further six spoilt votes – a sizeable increase in the "no" vote compared to recent votes on industrial action. [...]
Indonesian airlines cleared for take off in America after nine-year ban August 16, 2016 Indonesian airlines will be able to take off in America following a nine-year ban after having been cleared by regulators. A safety review by the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said Indonesia had been upgraded to a top-tier safety rating – Category 1 – after nearly 10 years. Airlines must hold a Category 1 rating to be [...]
I quit government over Heathrow expansion: This is why I changed my mind August 15, 2016 I resigned as parliamentary private secretary to the minister of state at the Home Office and Treasury in 2009 over government proposals for expansion at Heathrow. The plan was unsympathetic to local residents, it ignored concerns about both environmental and noise pollution, and it didn’t offer enough in the way of increased surface access to [...]
Gatwick Airport establishes Growth Board ahead of government’s long-awaited aviation decision August 15, 2016 Gatwick Airport has established a Growth Board (GGB) as it seeks to bolster arguments for a second runway ahead of the government's long-awaited decision on aviation capacity in the south east. Former minister for the Olympics and for London Baroness Tessa Jowell and former minister for transport Steve Norris will co-chair the group, examining the wider economic and [...]
London cabbies welcome a review of new Uber rules August 15, 2016 London's black cab drivers expect the Mayor of London to look again at the way the industry is regulated in the capital after arch-rival Uber called on the Mayor of London to do just that. Business groups and entrepreneurs yesterday backed a rethink, calling on Sadiq Khan to review the new rules governing Uber and other minicab firms [...]
The roller-coaster ride that is the Southern Rail dispute takes a new turn as talks break down August 15, 2016 Arbitration talks to end the dispute between the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) Union and Southern Rail have broken down. In news that will send shivers down the spines of many of the capital's commuters, the RMT said that Southern had rejected "solid" proposals in relation to the role of guards (or "second persons") on the trains. [...]
Letting agents expect the Night Tube will push up rents near stations on the 24-hour service August 15, 2016 Letting agents are predicting there will be rent rises for homes near the tube stations that will be open for 24 hours on weekends as part of London's new Night Tube service. The service will start on the Central and Victoria lines on 19 August, making it easier for people living in places such as Epping and Walthamstow to [...]
GTR vows to modernise services as talks with RMT end without agreement August 15, 2016 Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) has vowed to move ahead with its modernisation plans after talks with RMT ended without any agreement. GTR, the parent company of embattled Southern Rail, said it will move forward after talks broke down with the RMT union at Acas. An Acas spokesperson said: "Acas conciliation talks have ended without the sides reaching [...]