Latest news with #UNITE
STV News
03-06-2025
- STV News
Glasgow Subway workers to strike in row over pay and working conditions
Subway workers who feel 'devalued and ignored' have voted for strike action in a dispute over pay and working conditions, a union has said. Unite said more than 100 staff employed in Glasgow's Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT) subway voted by 97.5% in favour of industrial action, with a series of 24-hour stoppages planned later this month. Strikes are scheduled for June 21, 25, 27, and 28, and an overtime ban will be in place from June 13. The disruption will mean the subway system will be closed on the Punk All Dayer festival featuring the Sex Pistols, with the Sting, Simple Minds and the Stereophonics gigs being held as part of the summer sessions at Bellahouston Park. The union added that a continuous overtime ban will also be in place from June 13. The dispute comes as SPT workers claim the subway system is 'struggling' to operate due to chronic understaffing. Unite added that train drivers and station staff are 'routinely working up to ten hours' beyond contracted hours to keep the system operating without improving the shift, overtime, and weekend allowances. 'Unite members are repeatedly called in to work shifts at short notice, leading to significant work-life pressures,' a spokesperson for the union said. Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: 'Unite's Glasgow subway members feel totally devalued and ignored. We will not tolerate our members being exhausted and underpaid. The subway system is running on empty. 'SPT has had every opportunity to resolve the chronic issues that have resulted in this dispute but have chosen not to act.' Andrew Brown, Unite industrial officer, said: 'The strike action will cause major disruption across the subway system, but this is entirely the fault of SPT's management, which has continuously ignored the workers' concerns about being overstretched and understaffed.' Unite warned that unless there are improvements to the working conditions of the SPT members, then strike action could escalate over the summer months. SPT director of transport operations Richard Robinson said: 'We have been notified by the UNITE the Union that it intends to ask its members to strike on June 21, 25, 27 and 28. 'SPT is currently looking at what this means for services on those days. While we are disappointed that UNITE has chosen to take this action while we are still in active discussions, SPT remains committed to working with UNITE to resolve all issues as we plan for future working arrangements for the Subway.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
Finextra
27-05-2025
- Business
- Finextra
Westpac appoints chief data, digital and AI officer from Commbank
Westpac has announced the appointment of Dr Andrew McMullan as Chief Data, Digital and AI Officer, reporting to CEO Anthony Miller. 0 Dr McMullan joins Westpac from the Commonwealth Bank of Australia, where he most recently served as Chief Data and Analytics Officer. In this new role, Dr McMullan will lead Westpac's data analytics, digital transformation and artificial intelligence initiatives, with a strong focus on the responsible use of data and AI to deliver exceptional experiences for customers and employees. 'Andrew's appointment will accelerate our strategic efforts in data analytics, digital innovation and responsible AI,' said Westpac CEO Anthony Miller. 'He's an outstanding executive and thought leader who has successfully transformed data and digital capabilities in leading financial institutions globally. By integrating our data, digital and AI functions under Andrew's leadership, we aim to become a truly service-centric organisation, improving the customer experience and empowering our teams.' 'Andrew will build on the strong foundations established over the past five years by our CIO Scott Collary. He will work closely with Scott and our executive team as we continue to responsibly leverage data to enrich the customer and employee experience. Andrew's leadership will also be instrumental in supporting the successful delivery of UNITE.' 'I look forward to welcoming Andrew to our executive team,' Mr Miller said. Dr McMullan holds a PhD in Statistics from the University of Glasgow and brings extensive global experience in developing and scaling digital, data analytics and AI platforms. Throughout his career, he has focused on responsibly leveraging data and AI to enhance the financial wellbeing and overall experiences of customers, communities and employees. Dr McMullan will join Westpac in September 2025.
7NEWS
21-05-2025
- Business
- 7NEWS
Westpac Bank slammed over reports it will ‘brutally cut' more than 1500 jobs despite massive profits
More than 1500 Westpac employees will lose their jobs if reported redundancies are brought forward in coming months. The cuts come as the banking giant plans to simplify its technology systems and restructure its workforce, the Australian Financial Review reported on Tuesday. Westpac has more than 30,000 employees, with almost 5000 employed in the past year, a spokesperson told But CEO Anthony Miller has asked most managers to consider how they would cull 5 per cent of their teams, unauthorised sources told AFR. A Westpac spokesperson was unable to confirm those numbers or directions when contacted by but said: 'We adjust the composition of our workforce according to our investment priorities.' The impending cuts come on top of almost 1000 job cuts over the past year, the Finance Sector Union said on Wednesday. 'Westpac employees have faced ongoing uncertainty and significant job losses over the past few years with more job cuts now under a new 'business-led simplification program' (called) UNITE,' the union's national president Wendy Streets said. 'As the new CEO, Anthony Miller had an opportunity to invest in his existing, dedicated workforce. He appears to be choosing not to do so. 'This is deeply disappointing, particularly as Westpac posted a net profit of $7 billion just last year. 'Our members have worked hard to turn massive profits for Westpac over the years, they deserve to be rewarded and not have their jobs brutally cut for the sake of cost-savings and even bigger profits.' Collateral damage for 'costs and investment' The bank asserted that a focus on investment in a changing industry landscape will continue to push certain jobs onto the company chopping block. 'While we continue to invest in extra bankers and customer-facing roles, other programs and initiatives may need fewer resources,' the Westpac spokesperson told 'This means from time to time we make changes that may impact some roles and responsibilities as we actively manage costs and investment. 'As the skills and capabilities required in banking continue to evolve, so will our workforce. 'We try to keep as many employees as we can, through retraining and redeployment. For those who leave, we help them with tailored support and assistance with career transition.' AFR reports Miller made changes to the executive team soon after taking the top job in December, outlining smaller margins due to the bank entering the business-lending market — a move which reportedly yielded early results that disappointed investors.
Yahoo
04-05-2025
- Yahoo
UK airport travel 'chaos' warning as staff threaten to ground 70% of EasyJet flights
Thousands of air travellers could encounter travel disruptions for a month as airline employees are threatening to go on strike, possibly cancelling over 70% of flights. Holidaymakers who intend to fly the following month might face massive travel disruptions as staff threaten to take action over a pay dispute, according to UNITE. Refueling staff from World Fuel Services, a major provider in Gatwick, are preparing for a strike beginning early next month. Read more: I did one motorway journey and lost count of 'selfish' drivers breaking this rule Members of UNITE have stated that the action would be "disastrous" for travellers, with at least 70% of EasyJet's flights in the UK's second-largest airport likely to be disrupted. One of the enraged staff members, who wished to remain anonymous, told The Sun they did not want to strike but feel they have no choice. Said: "[A strike] would be disastrous. It would affect 70 per cent of [easyJet flights]." "None of us want to do it. None of us. But the company, this American company, they're just being awkward and stubborn and changing the rules as they go along." EasyJet operates over half of all departures from Gatwick Airport, with UNITE members responsible for refuelling over 250 aircraft per day. According to the employee, management proposed a 4.25% raise over a year and a 7.25% increase over two years, but union members turned down the offer. Strikers have countered with a demand for a 6% wage hike in the first year and to reduce their weekly working hours from 45 hours to 39. WFS is recruiting temporary workers who are being hastily trained in an attempt to "cover up" the industrial actions." "They've done this by bringing in the temp [workers]. They have hired seven temporary workers," they added." They took them on recently because they thought we were going to strike over Easter and training-wise, they were rushed through. "want"They think they can get by with the temporary workers and those who aren't on strike but it will be a mess. "In busy seasons, you're looking at about 220 to maybe 275 planes [to refuel] a day." UNITE stated that the refueller's strike was expected to coincide with industrial action by employees of another company, Red Handling, where over 100 baggage handlers, check-in staff, and flight dispatchers were scheduled to stage another walkout. "We are not being greedy - currently, we can't book any holidays," the employee continued. "They are refusing us to book any because they're worried about us going on strike, so they cancelled all holidays." Out of the 48 employees at the company, only about five are thought to not take part in the action. The WFS worker added: "Not all the workers are part of this." General secretary Sharon Graham said: "Workers at both companies have had enough of poor pay offers and appalling treatment from their employers and it is little surprise they are taking strike action." The Sun has contacted Gatwick Airport and World Fuel Services for a response.
Scottish Sun
02-05-2025
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Holiday warning as major UK airport facing strikes during mid-term which may hit '70 per cent of one airline's flights'
Staff say the strikes would be 'disastrous' HOLS CHAOS Holiday warning as major UK airport facing strikes during mid-term which may hit '70 per cent of one airline's flights' Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THOUSANDS of travellers face a month of chaos as airline workers threaten to strike - grounding over 70 per cent of flights. Holidaymakers planning to fly next month are likely to see huge disruptions as staff threaten to choke travel over a pay dispute, according to UNITE. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 UNITE union members at Gatwick Airport are striking over pay Credit: Alamy 2 The UK's second busiest airport may be facing industrial action next month Credit: Alamy Plane refuellers from World Fuel Services, a major provider at Gatwick, are planning a walk-out from the start of next month. The UNITE union members claimed their action would be 'disastrous' for travellers, predicting they will stop at least 70 per cent of EasyJet in the UK's second largest airport. One raging refueller, who wishes to stay anonymous, explained that they don't "want" to be striking but are left with no other option. They told the Sun: "[A strike] would be disastrous. It would affect 70% of [easyJet flights]. "None of us want to do it. None of us. But the company, this American company, they're just being awkward and stubborn and changing the rules as they go along." EasyJet accounts for over half of all departures from Gatwick Airport and UNITE union members are responsible for refuelling over 250 planes each day. Management offered a 4.25 per cent pay increase over a year and a 7.25 per cent rise over two but union members refused, according to the employee. Strikers countered by asking for a 6 per cent pay rise in the first year and to bring their weekly work hours from 45 hours to 39. The furious employee also claimed their employer is playing down the strikes. They warned that WFS is hiring temporary workers temporary who, are being rushed through training, in an attempt to "cover up" the industrial actions. Shock moment flight attendants wrestle female passenger to ground after she tried to storm cockpit on plane to New York 'They've done this by bringing in the temp [workers]. They have hired seven temporary workers," they added. 'They took them on recently because they thought we were going to strike over Easter and training-wise, they were rushed through.' 'They think they can get by with the temporary workers and those who aren't on strike but it will be a mess. 'In busy seasons, you're looking at about 220 to maybe 275 planes [to refuel] a day.' UNITE stated that the refuellers' strike was expected to coincide with industrial action by employees of another company, Red Handling, where over 100 baggage handlers, check-in staff, and flight dispatchers were scheduled to stage another walkout. 'We are not being greedy - currently, we can't book any holidays," the employee continued. "They are refusing us to book any because they're worried about us going on strike, so they cancelled all holidays.' 'The company is being ass h*les to us.' Out of the 48 employees at the company, only about five are thought to not take part in the action. The WFS worker added: 'Not all the workers are part of this. "They won't all be going on strike. There are five who are unlikely to join. The Sun has reached out to Gatwick Airport and World Fuel Services for a comment.
