Solidarity 360, 15 April 2015

First Great Western workers prepare for ballot

Members of rail union RMT working for First Great Western are preparing to ballot for industrial action, after First Group announced plans to axe jobs on new inter-city services. On the new trains, the driver will have sole responsibility for operating the doors, meaning guards are no longer required. The doors could even be operated with the driver as the only member of staff on board, without even an additional train manager. Catering facilities will also be reduced, with passengers in standard class having access only to an at-seat trolley service, meaning a reduction in buffet-car jobs....

Tories threaten deep cuts to welfare

The Tories have threatened to cut the welfare budget by £12 billion in the first two years of the next Parliament if they win the General Election in May. The already announced plan to extend Universal Credit to all working-age claimants by the end of 2017 would save the Government around £2.5 billion, assuming that the deadline doesn't slip beyond then as it now looks likely that it will. So what other benefits have the Tories got in their sights? Ideas being discussed by ministers and senior civil servants at the Department for Work and Pensions apparently include: * Means-testing and taxing...

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