Latest news with #JoeWheatley
BBC News
4 days ago
- Health
- BBC News
Airedale Hospital domestic staff to vote on strike action
Hospital workers such as porters, security staff and cleaners are to balloted for strike action over what have been described as unequal working conditions, said a trade union. The GMB union said staff at Airedale NHS Foundation Trust in Bradford were angry because they do not receive the same pension, annual leave and sick pay terms as other colleagues since their roles were outsourced to AGH union said affected staff were treated as "second class workers" and urged bosses to "get back to serious pay negotiations". A spokesperson for AGH Solution said it offered "very competitive" terms and conditions for workers and said it wanted to work with the GMB to find a resolution. Joe Wheatley, GMB Organiser, said: "These workers are essential to the smooth running of the Airedale hospital."Without them patients would not be safe or seen."She added: "The last thing our members want to do is strike and disrupt patients lives, but we've been left with no choice." The strike ballot closes on 13 August, with any industrial action expected to begin in Kentrop, managing director of AGH Solutions Ltd, said the firm was committed to improving it as a place to work."Following recent negotiations with GMB, we further improved upon our proposal," he added. Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
Yahoo
27-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Post Office apologises after Bradford district branch closes suddenly
THE Post Office has apologised for any inconvenience caused by the sudden closure of one its branches in the Bradford district. The Ferncliffe Post Office shut on February 14 leaving locals with a half-mile walk to their next nearest branch. A letter was published last Tuesday on the Post Office Views website, where the Government-owned company shares news about branches and any proposed changes, informing people of the situation with the Ferncliffe branch. Tajinder Khehra, Area Change Manager, apologised 'for the late notification on this occasion' and titled the letter with 'branch unplanned closure'. The letter said: 'We are writing to inform you that, regrettably, due to unforeseen circumstances the above branch closed on Friday, 14 February 2025'. A spokesperson for the Post Office confirmed yesterday the closure of the Ferncliffe Post Office and reiterated what the letter disclosed, stating it is investigating whether a service could be reinstated for the local community. They said: 'Ferncliffe Post Office has been temporarily closed since February 14 due to unforeseen circumstances. 'We know how important a Post Office is to a community and we apologise for any inconvenience caused by the unplanned closure. 'We are currently investigating the options available which will enable us to reinstate a Post Office service to the local community. 'In exploring this, it is important that any future service is sustainable for the person operating the service, and for Post Office Limited. 'Alternative branches in the area include Bingley which is 0.5 miles away and Eldwick which is 1.5 miles away.' The Telegraph & Argus visited the Ferncliffe Post Office today and there were only signs showing the branch's general opening hours and its opening hours over the Christmas and New Year period. Signs in Ferncliffe Post Office showcasing general opening hours and opening hours over the Christmas and New Year period (Image: Telegraph & Argus) Councillor Joe Wheatley (Independent, Bingley) said: 'It's disappointing that the Post Office has closed, it's very much a space for banking, for post, it's a community hub.' He added: 'Hopefully we can see it open in the near future.' Chair of Bingley Town Council, Councillor Philippa Gibbons (Independent, Crossflatts & Micklethwaite), said: 'Our previous old Gilstead Post Office shut and was moved to Ferncliffe – although it was not the ideal location for folks it meant we had a Post Office service. 'It's a big loss to the community. 'Ideally we want one back, but located in Gilstead.' Anna Dixon, Labour MP for Shipley, said: 'I am disappointed that the Ferncliffe Post Office has been temporarily closed, and I am, of course, frustrated for the local residents affected by this disruption. "Since my election to Parliament last July, my team and I have worked constructively with the Ferncliffe Post Office. "I will continue to work hard with the Government and the Post Office to improve postal services for residents across the Shipley constituency." The Bingley branch is located in Main Street, while the Eldwick Post Office is in Otley Road.
