Northern TUC welcomes Hitachi decision to help get the region ‘Back on Track’

In response to the long-awaited parliamentary announcement from the Minister of Transport, Phillip Hammond, giving the go-ahead to the Intercity Express Programme Northern TUC Regional Secretary, Kevin Rowan said: “The Secretary of State's announcement today is very good news indeed for County Durham and the wider north east economy. The creation of much needed construction jobs now will be a welcome relief in that sector, but the creation of over 500 high quality manufacturing jobs for the long term and around 9,000 jobs in the supply chains is an incredible boost for the people of the area and will breathe a new confidence and optimism into some of the communities hardest hit by the recession and with much to fear from public spending cuts.

London Midland to axe 122 full time jobs as part of ticket office closure plan

At a meeting arranged today with negatively short notice the Joint Trade Unions at London Midland were issued with a consultation précis document that outlined proposals for the review of station staffing and changes to schedule 17 (opening hours) arrangements, the joint trade unions (RMT and TSSA) believe that the company's proposals are unreal, barbaric, and unbelievable and will have dire consequences for staff and passengers alike.