…in brief

This
week’s news in brief

Firefighters
to strike

The
Fire Brigades Union (FBU) has called another 24-hour strike, despite possible
military action against Iraq, after rejecting the latest pay offer.
Firefighters will strike on Thursday after rejecting a 16 per cent pay increase
linked to modernisation.  www.fbu.org.uk

Managers’
pay rises

Salary
awards for managers edged up during the three months to January 2003, reversing
six months of steady deceleration. Private sector management salary rises were averaging
3.2 per cent – up 0.5 per cent from the previous three months.  www.incomesdata.co.uk

First
aid ignorance

Almost
half the UK work-force would be unable to treat even the most minor injury in
the workplace, while 52 per cent don’t know where the first aid kit is kept.
The survey of 500 workers, by supplier Safety First Aid, also shows 43 per cent
have never had any first aid training at all.  www.hse.gov.uk

Minimum
youth wage

The
TUC is calling for a minimum youth wage of £3 an hour to boost the income of 16
to 17 year olds. Currently, the national minimum wage doesn’t apply until
employees are 18 years old, and according to the TUC, youth workers can be paid
as little as £1 to £2 per hour. 
www.tuc.org.uk

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Industrial
action threat

Workers
on the North East Metro train network are threatening strike action following a
row over pay and conditions. Staff on the Newcastle rail system are also
unhappy about a new job evaluation scheme linked to performance-related pay,
including compulsory drug and alcohol tests for all staff.  www.unison.org.uk