Train drivers’ union Aslef suspends all upcoming Southern rail strikes as train operator agrees to new talks January 17, 2017 Train drivers' union Aslef will suspend industrial action on Southern rail, after the train operator agreed to new talks, starting tomorrow. The union's general secretary Mick Whelan said: "I am today proposing a new process to find a resolution to our industrial dispute with Southern." Whelan added: "Aslef believes that the best way to resolve the dispute at [...]
Are you travelling with Britain’s worst train operator? Here’s the definitive list January 17, 2017 Southern's customer satisfaction has plummeted on everything from punctuality to reliability and seat availability. According to Which?'s annual rail survey, the train operator recorded its lowest ever score of 21 per cent customer satisfaction, down from 44 per cent last year. It received one star ratings for seat availability, frequency, punctuality, reliability and value for [...]
Tube talks between RMT, TSSA and London Underground adjourn as threat of further strikes looms over capital January 16, 2017 Negotiations aimed at averting more Tube strikes were adjourned today, leaving the threat of industrial action looming over the capital. Talks will resume on Wednesday between officials from the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union, Transport Salaried Staffs' Association and London Underground representatives, who met today at the conciliation service Acas. Read more: Here's when the [...]
Union reps and Tube bosses get talks underway to try and stop a repeat of last week’s Tube strike chaos January 16, 2017 Commuters, keep your fingers crossed for talks today aimed at avoiding the Tube chaos of last week, when a 24-hour walkout shut down numerous Zone 1 stations. The talks, at conciliation service Acas, are taking place to try and hash out a resolution to the dispute over staffing levels at stations. Officials from the Rail, [...]
Here’s how much house prices have increased so far this year January 16, 2017 The housing market has had a robust start to 2017, with house prices increasing 0.4 per cent in January as compared to December. House prices grew 3.2 per cent year-on-year, according to figures from Rightmove. Read more: This is how far house prices will fall in 2017 In London, asking prices increased 1.4 per cent [...]
Employers must act early when strike action looms: Industrial action and what can be done January 13, 2017 Strike action is continuing to cause significant disruption for commuters, business travellers and holidaymakers in early 2017 – but could it have been prevented? Southern Rail has announced that it is going ahead with three-day stoppages of its train services this month – the first started this week – and British Airways’ cabin crew held a 48-hour strike [...]
Number of first-time buyers hits 10-year high January 13, 2017 The number of first-time buyers has reached a 10-year high last year. According to Halifax, there were 335,750 first-time buyers in 2016, up 7.3 per cent on the year before, but still well below the pre-crisis peak of 402,800 in 2006. The average age of a first-time buyer was 30, and they spent an average £205,170 [...]
Canary Wharf station reopens after flooding trouble causes more travel headaches for the capital’s commuters January 12, 2017 The capital's commuters have been given yet more travel headaches for the week, after flooding caused station troubles during rush-hour. Canary Wharf was evacuated due to flooding, while westbound services weren't stopping at Mansion House and Victoria station also because of flooding. Bank was also closed due to overcrowding. Trains are now stopping at Mansion House, though Circle [...]
British Airways cabin crew ramp up strike action with fresh 72-hour walkout set for 19 January January 12, 2017 British Airways cabin crew will stage a fresh 72-hour walkout from 19 January in an ongoing dispute over pay, Unite union has announced. Members of the so-called mixed fleet cabin crew (working long- and short-haul flights) at Heathrow will take part in a three-day strike next week. The union said it marked a stand against [...]
Southern rail guards to stage a fresh 24-hour walkout on 23 January January 12, 2017 Southern rail guards are staging a 24-hour walkout on 23 January, the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union announced today. “[Southern boss] Charles Horton has repeatedly promised publicly to retain a second safety-critical member of staff on his trains but as soon as it comes to direct talks the pledge melts away," said RMT general [...]