Binmen defy own unions
over four-day week
by David Skentelbery
BINMEN at Warrington are defying their own unions in the ongoing dispute over the introduction of a four-day working week, according to the borough council.
Only one of the 175 binmen, street cleaners, gardeners and cemetery workers involved has failed to sign up for new contracts of employment, despite being advised not to do so, the council says.
The figures, released by the council today, contradict a claim made by the three unions involved – Unison, the GMB and the Transport and General Workers – that only about a third of the men have signed the contracts.
Council chiefs also deny union claims that management has refused to meet them over the recent review of environmental services.
In fact, the latest of a series of planned meetings took place on Monday this week and there has been regular contact and meetings throughout the process, the council states.
Paula Darlington, head of environmental management at the council, said: “We understand the unions are claiming only a third of employees have signed for the new contracts. I can confirm that the actual figure is 174 out of 175 staff.
“We find it difficult to understand how the unions could leave our meeting with them on Monday to immediately prepare a statement saying we had refused to meet with them.
“We have scrupulously followed all the procedures relating to consultation with employees and have kept the unions and their members informed at every stage.”
The three unions, all of who have members among the refuse collectors, have delivered separate letters to the council notifying that they intend to ballot their members over a strike or other industrial action – as was revealed exclusively by Warrington-Worldwide yesterday (Wednesday).
The council says the review follows national guidelines and is aimed at modernising the service, bringing about equality of pay and opportunity across waste, cemeteries, parks and gardens and street services. A main feature of the review is to improve the quality of services the council delivers to the residents of Warrington.
It is expected that the majority of workers will see an increase to their pay as well as improvements to their conditions of employment as a result of the exercise currently underway.
This will include flexible working, multi-skilling, better career structure and improved training and development opportunities. There will be no reduction in the current earnings of any employee.
Among the proposed changes to working practices is the introduction of a four day working week for refuse collection – aimed at preventing disruption for residents in bank holiday weeks.
Ms Darlington added: “Our clear understanding is that there is widespread satisfaction among the workforce over the outcomes of the review, which will remove inequalities and provide everyone with opportunities for improvement and progression. This is demonstrated by the fact that nearly all employees have agreed to the new contracts”
Job seeking advice
for lone parents
by staff reporter
LONE parents visiting Gullivers World in Warrington were given job-seeking advice while their children had fun.
The Employment Team from Warrington Disability Partnership (WDP) was on hand to advise them on the assistance they could offer, together with two lone parent advisors from Jobcentre Plus. WDP took its mascot Ollie to amuse the children.
WDP can help any lone parent to get back into work with advice on voluntary work, work experience, specialist training or jobsearch assistance combined with benefits advice, information on childcare and other assistance.
Lone parents can contact the team on 01925 240064 and ask to speak to Charlotte or Kevin.
Town set to be hit by
outbreak of “yellow fever”
by Lesley Wilkinson
A SPATE of “yellow fever” is expected to hit Warrington next month as part of a fund raising campaign by the region’s only air medical emergency service.
The North West Air Ambulance (NWAA) wants people to think, wear and feel yellow for its “Big Yellow One” awareness day on Friday October 13.
It has chosen the theme yellow as it is the colour of the charity’s helicopter, Katie, which races to hundreds of North West accidents every year.
Events include encouraging people to dress in yellow and donating ?1 to take part in one of the bright yellow balloon races being held at schools.
Lynda Brislin, charity chief executive at the NWAA, said: “We’re asking everyone to bring a little sunshine into the lives of those around them with a little yellow.
“Our supporters are incredibly generous and very creative and we’ve already had some wonderful ideas including charging friends who come into work without wearing any yellow, a yellow cake sale and a mass hair bleaching session.”
The charity has produced a fund raising pack and anyone interested should call 0800 587 4570 or visit www.northwestairambulance.co.uk for information.
Lynda said it costs ?1.3 million a year to keep the vital service operating around the clock. It covers all major road incidents, serious sporting accidents and incidents in areas that have poor and restricted road access.
On average the NWAA is called out up to 10 times a day in the summer.
Pictured – the yellow helicopter on the day members of Lymm Rotary Club handed over a ?1,000 cheque to support the air ambulance service.
How to trace
a family tree
by staff reporter
PEOPLE interested in tracing their family tree can find out more at a conference being held in Warrington.
The Liverpool and SW Lancashire Family History Society holds its 30th Anniversary Conference, hosted by the Warrington group, at The Gateway Centre, Sankey Street, on Saturday, October 14.
The day includes talks on the Houghton family of Hale and Warrington, indexes and other records and The History of RAF Burtonwood. The society’s annual meeting will also be held.
The event also features a bookstall, and displays from organisations including Warrington Library and Museum, Kings Liverpool Regiment and South Lancs Regimental Museum.
The fee is ?14, which includes refreshments and a buffet lunch. Further details are available from Joe Griffiths 01925755469 or [email protected]
Teenagers suffer more
mental health problems
by Lesley Wilkinson
A DECLINE in the mental health of teenagers in Warrington and a 70 per cent increase in depression and anxiety among the age group is reported by a local charity.
The Relationships Centre reports a sharp decline in the mental health of teenagers in the past 25 years.
A study for the charity looked at three generations of 15-year-olds. It showed behavioural problems increasing overall and a sharp increase in emotional problems since 1986.
Pam Arnold, director of services at the charity said: “We are aware that the rising rate in behavioural problems can have a detrimental affect on young people later in their life such as homelessness, dependency on benefits and the effects on their mental and physical health.”
The study focused on the general experiences of teenagers, rather than the more serious cases of suicide and self-harm.
