This week’s news in brief
FBU rejects pay offer
The Fire Brigades’ Union (FBU) is seeking talks with John Prescott after it
recommended rejecting the latest offer to end the dispute. The union’s
executive wants members to reject the 16 per cent pay offer, which would see
the average salary rise to £25,000 within 16 months. www.fbu.org.uk
Train crews to strike
Train crews have voted for industrial action to defend the role of
operational safety guards. RMT members voted two to one in favour of strike
action, after the union claimed all 22 train operators agreed to restore safety
guards, but only eight have honoured the agreement. www.rmt.org.uk
Peugeot strike halted
Amicus has suspended planned industrial action at Peugeot following
last-minute talks. The union said it called off the strike after Peugeot
promised to improve bonus payments and agreed to make increased employee
pension scheme contributions. www.amicus.org.uk
Congestion charge
London Mayor Ken Livingstone said he could extend the congestion charge zone
by the end of next year. He plans to enlarge the zone to take in the boroughs
of Westminster and Kensington & Chelsea, and later to include Tower
Hamlets. www.london.gov.uk
Resistance to review
Plans to overhaul UK boardrooms could be under threat because FTSE 100
directors don’t support them. The Financial Reporting Council is set to draw up
new corporate governance rules, but admitted some directors were resisting the
Higgs review recommendations on non-executive directors. www.frc.org.uk
