British Airways cabin crew set to stage three-day strike later this month

Pic:British Airways cabin crew have announced a three-day strike 
Staff reporter(wp/es):

British Airways cabin crew will stage a fresh 72-hour walk-out, it has been announced.

Staff will strike from January 19 in a dispute over pay, the Unite union said on Thursday.

The action comes as part of a long running dispute over the wages of more than 2,500 “mixed fleet” members of the union.

Unite said a recent survey revealed almost half of the new cabin crew had taken on a second job to make ends meet, with some saying they had to sleep in their cars between shifts because they could not afford the petrol to drive home.

Two thirds admitted to going to work unfit to fly because they could not afford to be off sick.

Unite national officer Oliver Richardson said: "British Airways should be under no illusion about our members' determination to secure a settlement that addresses their concerns over poverty pay. 

"Seeking to squeeze ever more from cabin crew and making passengers pay for services which were once complimentary is a sad state of affairs for an airline which once described itself as the 'world's favourite'.

"We would urge British Airways to avoid the inconvenience and disruption of industrial action by meaningfully addressing levels of poverty pay which are causing financial worry and distress to 'mixed fleet' cabin crew."

Unite said over 800 mixed fleet cabin crew workers have joined the union since the start of the dispute, taking membership to over 2,900.

Chelsea's new £500m stadium will be one of 'world’s best football arenas'

Pic:Chelsea's New redevelopment stadium
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Chelsea's new 60,000-seat arena will be one of the world’s premier football stadiums when it opens in 2021, jubilant council leaders said today.

Owner Roman Abramovich’s £500m rebuild of Stamford Bridge, designed by the team who created Beijing 2008’s lauded Birds’ Nest, was given unanimous backing by councillors in Hammersmith and Fulham.

It means the current 41,600 capacity ground will be demolished to be replaced with a state-of-the-art venue, subject to final approval by London Mayor Sadiq Khan.

Blues chairman Bruce Buck was among those to welcome the decision, which the club described as a “significant step” in its history.

It means Chelsea will be able to close the capacity gap with Arsenal, whose 60,000-seater Emirates brought in £101million matchday revenue last year compared to Chelsea’s £71million.

Councillor Stephen Cowan, leader of Hammersmith and Fulham council, told the Standard: “We are going to get one of the most outstanding football stadiums anywhere. It will be talked about and written about all over the world.

“In the post-Brexit period, to have such a huge sum of money pour in for what will be a spectacular attraction is good news for the whole UK economy.”

Ben Peirson, speaking on behalf of holding company Fordstam, said the proposed scheme would: “deliver a modern football stadium of considerable architectural distinction which will be recognised as one of the world’s most distinguished sports venues.”

He added: “Not only would the new stadium be an important addition to the local townscape but it will contribute greatly to London’s visitor economy and to the socio-economic prosperity of the local community.”

Paul Heagren, company secretary, said the existing ground was no longer fit for purpose.

He said: “The development is integral to the prosperity of the borough and this stadium an important city landmark will be seen cross the world and bring significant benefits.”

Eight local residents spoke out against the scheme including Oscar nominated film director Michael Radford, who lives next to the stadium with his wife and two young children.

He said: “We have very real concerns about this development, not only for ourselves but for all the buildings that share such close proximity to the stadium.

“My argument really concerns the construction and devastation which is about to be unleashed upon us for about four years – if not more.”

Another neighbour dubbed the arena “large gothic Colosseum” while others raised about its size, impact on wildlife and ability to cope with a terror attack.

The club has promised to set up a residents’ forum to identify and address issues which may arise.

Chelsea are expected to remain at the existing stadium in the 2017/18 season while preparation work gets underway but will then move out, either to Wembley or Twickenham, until 2021.

In a statement the club said: “We are grateful that planning permission was granted for the redevelopment of our historic home.

“The committee decision does not mean that work can begin on site. This is just the latest step, although a significant one, that we have to take before we can commence work, including obtaining various other permissions.”

Chelsea Pitch Owners, which owns the freehold to the land on which the stadium sits, said its goal of ensuring Chelsea remain at the Bridge, its home since 1905, “looks more secure than it has for many years.”

A spokemsan said: “The plans will provide a world-class stadium and the bold architectural design will enhance the local area.”

Former England manager Graham Taylor dies from suspected heart attack aged 72

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Former England manager Graham Taylor has died aged 72.

Taylor, a legend at Watford who took the Hornets from the bottom tier to almost the summit of English football, died in the early hours of Thursday.

It is believed he had suffered a heart attack.

Taylor was a defender for Grimsby and Lincoln City in a playing career that was cut short by a serious hip injury. 

He began his managerial career at Lincoln and spent two stints at both Watford and Aston Villa. Taylor managed the Three Lions for three years from 1990.

A family statement said: "With the greatest sadness, we have to announce that Graham passed away at his home early this morning of a suspected heart attack.

"The family are devastated by this sudden and totally unexpected loss."

The FA tweeted: "We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of former England manager Graham Taylor."

Taylor made his name at Vicarage Road, leading Watford from the old Fourth Division to runners-up in the First Division in five seasons.

He also took them to the 1984 FA Cup final, which they lost 2-0 to Everton.

Taylor then took the Villa job in 1997 and led them to second spot in the First Division, prompting a call from the FA after Bobby Robson left the job.

In charge of the national side, Taylor lost just once in his first 21 games, but defeat to Sweden at Euro '92 meant England failed to get out of the group.

That loss - in which he substituted Gary Lineker in what was the striker's final England game - saw the press turn against Taylor, with his face superimposed on a turnip under the headline Swedes 2 Turnips 1.

Subsequent failure to qualify for the 1994 World Cup ultimately cost him his job as England boss. 

After a brief period at Wolves, Taylor returned for a second spell at Watford, where he recovered his old touch with back-to-back promotions to the Premier League.

He left Watford following relegation a year later and announced his retirement, but was tempted back into the dugout by former club Villa.

It proved a short stint which Taylor later admitted he regretted. 

In retirement, Taylor spent his time working as a television and radio pundit for the BBC while also helping Watford through a period of financial difficulty.

Londoners face further Tube strikes

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Londoners face more crippling Tube strikes next month, the RMT union announced today.

It announced a “new phase of industrial action” over the station staffing dispute would start from February 6 unless demands are met.

General secretary Mick Cash said members had been “rock solid” during the strike spanning Sunday and Monday this week, when four million London Underground passengers were subject to delays and cancellations.

“RMT members have shown this week that they will not stand by while safety is compromised on London Underground off the back of cash-led cuts to staffing levels that the union has warned would have a serious, lasting and corrosive impact for staff and passengers alike,” he said.

“That is why our members have been forced to take this action.”

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan condemned this week’s strikes as “completely unnecessary”. They were called despite an offer by Transport for London to create hundreds of new station jobs.

Mr Cash claimed management now TfL now accepted that cuts had been a “mistake” and should make a complete U-turn.

He said: “We now need a move away from the piecemeal and incremental approach to tackling this crisis and for LU to come forward with a serious package of proposals.”

Steve Griffiths, London Underground’s Chief Operating Officer, said: “We look forward to resuming talks at ACAS on Monday in order to make progress towards resolving this dispute.”

Smokers and obese Londoners could be refused surgery in bid to save NHS cash

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Smokers and obese Londoners could be refused surgery and IVF treatments axed in a radical bid to save NHS cash.

Richmond and Croydon are considering whether to end funding of fertility treatments or limit it to “exceptional cases”, such as people left infertile by cancer treatments.

Richmond clinical commissioning group (CCG) is also proposing to ban smokers and people with a Body Mass Index (BMI) over 40 - those classed as “severely obese” - from non-emergency surgery.

Operations would only proceed if they lost at least 10 per cent of their body weight in nine months or achieved a BMI under 30, meaning they were just “overweight”.

Smokers would have to make “genuine supported steps” to quit or achieve a particular goal before their operation would be allowed to proceed.

Health campaigners today warned the “appalling” draft restrictions on fertility treatment broke NHS recommendations for three cycles of IVF, while the Royal College Of Surgeons said restricting access to surgery was “totally unacceptable”.

Richmond, which needs to save £11 million this year, plans to reduce initial eligibility for IVF to women up to 40.

A consultation proposes “significantly increasing the threshold” to the point where “IVF and specialised fertility treatment is no longer commissioned”.

Croydon CCG, which needs to save £30 million, last week began consulting on a proposal to stop “routine IVF”. 

It currently offers one free cycle. Private fertility treatment typically costs about £3,000 per cycle.

About 250 women a year would be affected. The changes would save a total of about £1.2 million.

Susan Seenan, chief executive of the charity Fertility Network, said: “It’s completely wrong of them to be cutting such a vital service for people who have a medical issue that stops them conceiving.”

Restrictions on surgery for obese patients and smokers in part of Yorkshire have already been approved by NHS England. Those who fail to lose weight or quit face delays of between six to 12 months.

A Royal College of Surgeons spokeswoman said: “Obese patients should be encouraged to lose weight before surgery for their overall health. 

“However making it a condition of receiving that treatment is totally unacceptable and we urge the CCG against such a policy. We are not aware of any clinical evidence to suggest patients are more likely to lose weight if the NHS denies or delays treatment.

“Richmond CCG has been upfront in admitting their proposals are also aimed at reducing financial pressures. However, patients may be left suffering in unbearable pain and in some cases delays could lead to their symptoms worsening so it is difficult to see how this will save significant money. 

“We encourage the CCG to reconsider how it can save money without targeting specific groups of patients and affecting their access to healthcare.”

Richmond CCG has already agreed to reduce access to knee surgery, bunion surgery and treatment for gallstones, and reduce the number of operations to remove tonsils and varicose veins.

It also wants to reduce the amount of prescriptions for baby milk, vitamin D tablets, gluten-free food and “self-care” medication such as paracetamol and antihistamines.

Dr Graham Lewis, chairman of Richmond CCG, said: “Increasing demands on NHS services means that we cannot provide everything we want for people living in the borough of Richmond. 

“We have to prioritise and make difficult decisions, which include a proposal to reduce the number of IVF cycles offered from one to an exception only basis, to secure the future of local health services for everyone.”

In relation to the proposed restrictions on surgery, Dr Lewis said: “There is a lot of evidence to demonstrate that not all patients gain improvement in their symptom levels or mobility from undergoing operations such as hip or knee replacements and other treatments, such as physiotherapy, may be more effective. 

“In addition, being overweight and smoking are factors which contribute to poorer outcomes, so it makes sense to reduce these risks before surgery.”

A Croydon CCG spokeswoman added: “The proposals were brought about in light of the financial pressures the local NHS is facing. NHS Croydon CCG needs to make savings of almost £30 million next financial year, which is around six per cent of the commissioning budget for local health services of £482.3 million.”

Richmond’s consultation will run until 3 February, with Croydon’s running to 1 March.

40 flights cancelled as cabin crew begin 48-hour strike

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Around 40 British Airways flights have been cancelled as hundreds of the airline's cabin crew walked out in a row over pay. 

British Airways said around 40 Heathrow flights had to be cancelled in response to the 48-hour strike which began on Tuesday.

The airline stressed however that all passengers would be able to reach their destination as passengers on cancelled flights had been rebooked on other services. 

This means some passengers will have to travel on flights departing at different times to their original booking but BA said its customers were informed of their new travel arrangments on Friday so they could plan their trips.

The airline said all flights to and from Gatwick and London City airports will operate as normal.  

The 48-hour strike, which started at midnight on Tuesday, is being conducted by so-called “mixed-fleet” cabin crew who represent around 15 per cent of stewards at the airline.

“Mixed-fleet” crew based at Heathrow have argued they are unfairly paid less than other cabin crew.

The Heathrow-based crew threatened to go on strike over Christmas but the action was suspended following last-minute talks with BA. 

Unite said since 2010 all British Airways new cabin crew employees joined mixed fleet, with basic pay starting at £12,192, plus £3 an hour "flying pay" totalling an average pay of £16,000, including allowances, each year.

"These poverty pay levels for cabin crew are below the living wage and are among the lowest in the industry, putting the UK's national carrier to shame," the union said a statement.

BA responded: "The pay data shows that the range of earnings paid out to full-time mixed fleet crew between September 2015 and August 2016 was £21,151- £27,356. 

"Our proposal for our mixed fleet cabin crew reflects pay awards given by other companies in the UK and will ensure their reward levels remain in line with cabin crew at our airline competitors. 

“It is also consistent with pay deals agreed with Unite for other British Airways colleagues.”

Unite national officer Oliver Richardson said: "Going on strike is never an easy decision, so we are pleased with the numbers of 'mixed fleet' cabin crew who have taken the courageous step to take a stand against poverty pay at British Airways. 

"This is a low paid workforce struggling to make ends meet on wages which are among the lowest in the airline industry." 

BA said: "As part of our contingency plan, we will be merging a very small number of flights to and from Heathrow.

"This will mean some customers will travel slightly earlier or later in the day than their original booking.”

Unite said over 800 "mixed fleet" crew had joined the union since the start of the dispute, taking its membership to over 2,900.

Dramatic fall in London HIV rates 'may be due to internet drugs'

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A dramatic fall in new HIV infections among gay men in London may be the result of the increased use of internet drugs, it has been claimed.

Four sexual health clinics in the capital saw a decrease in new HIV infections of about 40 per cent last year compared to 2015.

According to New Scientist, some doctors believe the decline may be due to people buying medicines known as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) online.

The drugs, which cut the chance of catching the virus, have been approved in the UK as a medication for cutting the chances of getting HIV but are not yet available on the NHS.

Activists in the UK have set up a website, I Want PrEP Now, through which it can be bought from online pharmacies in India and Swaziland. The website works with NHS clinics to check the medicines are genuine.

Will Nutland, at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, has set up a website that gives people information on how to give themselves PrEP.

He told the magazine: “We need to be very cautious at this stage, but I can’t see what else it can be.

“Something extraordinary has happened in the last 12 months.”

Sheena McCormack, of the London clinic 56 Dean Street, says the fall in infection rates is unlikely to be due to more condom use, as rates of other sexually transmitted diseases such as syphilis were about the same in 2016 as the year before.

Although PrEP use has been rising in other countries, in the UK it was low until a sudden surge in the the last year, an increase that coincided with the launch of I Want PrEP Now and Nutland’s website.