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This week's news in brief
Tube strikes date
Tube staff are to hold two 24-hour strikes over pay - the first planned to start at 8pm tonight (Tuesday) and the second scheduled in one week's time. Thousands of workers are protesting at a 3 per cent pay rise imposed by employer London Underground. LU has expressed dismay at the prospect of more strikes and claims it has made a good pay offer. www.thetube.com
Labour debates PFIs
The use of private companies in the public sector does not work and does not provide value for money, a Unison report claims. The union, joined by the GMB and T&G, will call for a halt to Private Finance Initiatives projects at the Labour Party conference next month. The report cites seven reasons for its claims, including cost and the profit made by the private firms. www.unison.org.uk
Employers have say
Employers are to be given a greater say about education and training in a move to help solve skill shortages. Ivan Lewis, minister for adult learning and skills, is bringing together employers, unions, education and training providers to examine how best to tackle individual regions' skill shortages. The results will form part of the Government's spring skills strategy. www.dfes.gov.uk
Pensions victory
Staff at Caparo Steel Group have won Britain's first strike in defence of final salary pensions following an agreement reached last week. The ISTC steel union said the agreed final salary scheme was "worth just as much" as the one closed to existing members in June. Caparo had originally tried to change the pension plan to a less valuable stakeholder scheme. www.caparo.co.uk
No-strikes ditched
A no-strike deal at car producer Honda has been ditched by Derek Simpson, leader of the engineering and manufacturing union Amicus. Simpson said the right to strike is a key human right. The move to abolish no-strike deals is expected to spread to other manufacturers - including Nissan in Sunderland and Toyota in Derby. www.honda.co.uk
