This week’s news in brief
Stress levels run high
Nine out of 10 workers feel stressed – mostly through work – according to a
survey by the Work-life Balance Centre. Seventy per cent of the 306 workers
questioned feel they have suffered work-related illness. An increase in staff
levels, better communication and improved workload planning are cited by the
respondents as ways to reduce stress. www.24-7survey.co.uk
More RMT strikes
The RMT union has rearranged strike dates this week causing a further four
days of disruption for commuters using South West Trains. The union started a
24-hour strike at 12pm yesterday. Another 24-hour strike will start at 12pm on
Wednesday. The union had originally planned a 48-hour strike on 12 and 13
February. www.rmt.org.uk
Postal action looms
Royal Mail staff have voted in favour of a strike over pay. Nearly
two-thirds of Communication Workers Union members voted in favour of industrial
action in support of a 5 per cent pay claim. The turnout among the 145,000
workers was 65 per cent. The company has offered a 2 per cent pay increase,
with a further 0.5 per cent if quality of customer service targets are met. www.cwu.co.uk
Pay offer thrown out
Public services union Unison has rejected a 2.5 per cent pay offer by local
government employers at the end of the first round of pay talks. The union is
seeking a £1,750, or a 6 per cent pay rise, for 1.3 million local government
workers. It claims that nearly 60 per cent of local government staff earn less
than £12,500 a year. www.lg-employers.gov.uk
NHS hits hiring goal
The NHS has hit its 20,000 nurse recruitment target three years ahead of
schedule, although a significant number are part-time staff. The figures show
that last year the number of nurses in the NHS increased by 4.3 per cent (14,400)
– the largest ever yearly rise. www.doh.gov.uk
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