Source: www.independent.co.uk
GMB seals staff deal with Asda - The Independent
The GMB said the deal, covering 10,000 of its members employed in transport and warehouse operations in 20 depots in England, Wales and Scotland, was the first of its kind anywhere in the world involving the United States-owned company.
The agreement, signed at the GMB's annual conference in Brighton today, follows 14 months of negotiations and was described as a "huge step forward" by the union.
GMB general secretary Paul Kenny said: "The growing confidence in the benefits collective bargaining can bring to productivity, staff retention, growth and positive and stable industrial relations is there for all to see following all the hard work of all the parties involved over the past few years."
Ian Stansfield, director of distribution at Asda, said: "This is a ground-breaking agreement that brings our practices up to date and creates the framework for the way Asda distribution and GMB will work together.
"It secures jobs, supports growth and ensures our operation is as efficient as possible at a time when our customers are relying on us more than ever to save them money every day."
GMB national officer Mick Rix added: "This agreement is truly ground-breaking and historic. The agreement delivers a new relationship of working together to enhance the job security of GMB members, enhances their skills and has created a benchmark in terms of health and safety that will move standards in this highly complex logistics sector, where safety is paramount, to new levels."
The Asda depots covered by the deal are at Grangemouth and Falkirk in Scotland, Skelmersdale, Wigan, Warrington, Washington, Doncaster, Wakefield, Lymedale, Lutterworth, Erith, Bedford, Bristol and Chepstow.
PA
Source: www.independent.co.uk
London 2012: Could the Olympics be rained off? - The Guardian
Here's a thought. What if, when our impeccably planned Olympics start on July 27, the weather doesn't co-operate? Some long-range forecasts are encouraging, and London has fewer rainy days in July than any other month, but isn't it possible that high summer in England could be as wet and dreary, frankly, as it usually is?
It rained right through many of the Olympic test events. It rained ferociously more-or-less throughout the jubilee weekend. It even rained in Athens during the torch-lighting. While the ever-jovial Danny Boyle, director of the opening ceremony, has promised that synthetic rainclouds will be included "just in case it doesn't rain".
The position at the London Organising Committee is simple: rain will not stop play. "We're a fairly sturdy lot," a spokesperson says. "Beach volleyball will continue in the rain, archery will continue in the rain – just like Beijing, where there were a number of events that continued in the rain." Indeed, lightning will be needed to stop most things.
A few events, such as the BMX and tennis competitions, might be delayed by rain, but the organisers are confident they could handle the rescheduling. So, for the record, if it does not stop raining from the moment the opening ceremony begins until the moment the games are supposed to end, will everything still be completed? "Yes," they say.
Continuing is not thriving, however. Outdoor competitors are used to rain, but they often perform worse in it. Usain Bolt, for one, has registered some early excuses. "He'd have to have the right conditions [to run 100m in less than 9.5 seconds]," says his coach Glen Mills, "and I'm not sure London is going to be kind."
Broadly speaking, then, a wet Olympics will see fewer records, but this varies by event. "For the endurance athletes there could be an advantage relative to hot conditions, in that it can help to keep them cool," says Peter Stanley, who coached Jonathan Edwards to a gold medal, and is now a mentor at England Athletics. "For the throwers, however, turning quickly in a circle that is slippery due to rain is more difficult… You could say a normal British summer would benefit a normal British athlete, but we will have to wait and see."
In truth, the people who would suffer most in a wet Olympics are probably the spectators. Yes, the toilets at the velodrome and the handball arena (which harvest rainwater) will be flushing well. But the roof at the Olympic stadium covers only two thirds of the seats, and there is no roof at all on the Riverbank Arena, where the hockey will be played, nor over all the seats at the beach volleyball, the BMX track, the equestrian events, or on The Mall for the road cycling. So if you've got tickets for one of those, bring a cagoule.
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
Hard-pressed motorists see 3p drop in the cost of a litre of petrol as Sainsbury's and Asda start forecourt price war - Daily Mail
- New prices will come into effect tomorrow
- Move comes after a warning from Government that it was looking at ways to ensure petrol retailers do not delay price cuts when wholesale costs fall
- Lowest price in over a year as prices have fallen 11p since their peak in April
- But cost of petrol will start to rise again in the summer because of Government plans for fuel duty increase in August
By Jill Reilly
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A fresh supermarket price war on the forecourts is underway with giants Asda and Sainsbury's cutting up to 3p a litre from the price of fuel.
The retailers said the new charges would come into effect tomorrow.
The slash follows April’s record high petrol prices, which pushed the price of filling a family car to 100.
Slashed: Supermarket giants Asda and Sainsbury's are cutting up to 3p a litre from the price of fuel. The retailers said the new prices would come into effect tomorrow
The cuts mean that filling a typical car will be the cheapest since February 2011, according to experts.
Asda said an ease in global oil prices has enabled it to pass those savings on to motorists.
Transport Secretary Justine Greening said the Government would be prepared to introduce new laws to control prices
Drivers filling up at any of Asda's 195 forecourts nationwide will now pay no more than 129.7p per litre for unleaded and 134.7p per litre for diesel.
Andy Peake, Asda's director of petrol trading, said: 'Motorists will be pleased to know fuel is now at the lowest price in over a year as prices have fallen 11p since their peak in April.
'Unlike other retailers, our price cuts benefit everyone across the country, meaning that no-one filling up at Asda will be forced to pay a premium for their fuel.'
A Sainsbury's spokesman said: 'From tomorrow we will be cutting petrol and diesel prices in our petrol stations by up to 3p per litre. Sainsbury's is committed to delivering great value and helping customers cut down on cost wherever possible.'
A spokesman for the AA welcomed the cuts, saying that motorists would be getting a 'good price' for fuel.
But the cost of petrol looks set to rise again in the summer - in August the Government has planned 3.02 pence per litre rise in fuel duty.
The move to pass on lower prices to drivers comes after a warning from Government that it was looking at ways to ensure petrol retailers do not delay price cuts when wholesale costs fall.
Two weeks ago, Transport Secretary Justine Greening said companies should develop a code of practice to stop the 'indefensible' practice of petrol companies raising prices at the pump as soon as wholesale petrol and oil prices rise, only to delay lowering them again when costs fall.
She said the Government would be prepared to introduce new laws to bring about the change if companies failed to come up with a code of their own.
Source: www.dailymail.co.uk
Plymouth's Tom Daley so excited after getting call for London 2012 Olympic Games - this is plymouth
TOM DALEY admitted he is already getting 'really excited' after the city diving superstar was named in the Great Britain squad for this summer's Olympics.
Plymouth Diving's Daley will lead the Great Britain charge in both the men's individual 10m platform and the synchro events at the London Games.
Daley made certain of his place in the teenager's own 'dream Games' by winning a gold medal at the British Championships which doubled as Olympic trials at Sheffield's Ponds Forge at the weekend.
The former world champion scored a total of 547 points in the individual, outscoring Waterfield who ended the dive-off with 452.
Britain's new national champion will be joined in both events by individual runner-up Peter Waterfield, while Daley's club-mates Tonia Couch and Sarah Barrow have both been picked for the women's 10m synchro.
Although the most casual observer of diving would have assumed Daley was a shoo-in for London 2012, for the 18-year-old European champion to see his name on the list was clearly a relief.
And, he said, a reward for the self sacrifice and long hours spent training for the globe's biggest sporting event.
Daley said: "It is very exciting. It feels really great to be finally named in the Great Britain Olympic team.
"After all the training hours I've had to put in and all the thousands of dives, it feels so good to know I'm going to be there."
Daley acknowledged that because of his own excellent form this year the level of national expectation for him to medal will have been cranked up a couple of notches more.
But the teenager insisted his rivals, notably China's number one Qiu Bo, will also be feeling the strain the closer the Briton gets to him at world-class tournaments.
Daley said: "The pressure is going to be massive for everyone. It comes down to whoever deals with it the best.
"Qiu Bo has never been to an Olympic Games, so he's not going to know what it's like.
"There will be a lot of pressure on him, because he's the favourite and from China.
"And, gradually, everyone's scores around the world are getting higher and higher and therefore, closer to him."
The Plymothian believes having taken part in one Olympic Games already will work to his advantage.
Daley said the experience could be key to how he handles the pressure in London.
He said: "I think it helps massively to have been able to compete in the Olympics in Beijing.
"I've gained the experience of being at one. If I hadn't gone there (Beijing), it could have been a little bit overwhelming, being at home and all."
Daley admitted his own form in the lead up to next month's Olympics had been very pleasing, to say the least.
The 2008 Olympic finalist in Beijing, at the age of just 14 years and reigning Commonwealth Games champion ended this year's prestigious World Series as number one and then reclaimed the European individual crown in Eindhoven last month.
Daley, though, while delighted with those awards, said he is looking forward, with all his thoughts concentrated on the Aquatics Centre.
"The Olympics is the major event of the year and that is what you want to peak for. Everything is focused and concentrated on the Games in London," said Daley.
"Yes, I want to do well in every single competition I take part in, because I'm competitive.
"Everything I do, I want to do to the best of my ability: I'm a perfectionist.
"I go into every competition trying to win, because that's my nature.
"The only thing I can focus on is myself as diving is such an individual sport, not like tennis, for example, where you can hit a ball in one direction and your opponent will hit it back in another.
"With diving, you do what you do and hope it's good and the other divers will do exactly the same for themselves."
Daley said he is becoming confident at mastering what he considers his most difficult dive – the forward 4½ somersault, but insisted he will not be resting on his laurels.
"To be honest, I find all the dives very hard but the forward 4½ I consider my hardest. But I've been doing them a lot more consistently and doing them better," said Daley.
"It's difficult making sure I get that dive right and the others in (his tariff), too, and going into every competition trying to do the best I can."
Ever the realist, Daley said that while it is his goal to top the podium at the Olympics, he does not dream about medalling, just competing.
He said: "Obviously, it's my dream to win a gold medal, and that's any athlete's dream, isn't it?
"But whenever I dream about appearing at the Olympics, I'm just doing my dives, but I never see the scoreboard so I don't know where I'm going to end up.
"For me, it's all about doing everything I can beforehand to make sure I'm well prepared to compete at the Olympic Games."
Daley said his next event is the Olympics but that his schedule is showing no sign of relaxing.
"No, it's kind of scary knowing that the next competition I take part in will be at the Olympics," said Daley.
"It's all very busy for us. We're going to be training twice a day, five times a week.
"We (Team GB) all go to Majorca today for a training camp and then we go to the Olympic pre-camp on July 24, which is a complete lock-down and focused on preparing for the Games.
"That'll be at the Aquatics Centre and it will really be make or break time for me."
Source: www.thisisplymouth.co.uk
Green light for Newhaven Asda plan divides opinion - Lewes Today
AN ERROR of historic proportions was how MP Norman Baker chose to describe the decision to grant planning permission for 190 homes and an Asda in Newhaven.
The MP warned that Lewes District Council planning committee approving the Eastside Asda scheme from developers Avalon, but refusing the Railway Quay Tesco scheme from developers Arrowcroft, would have serious long-term consequences for the town.
The Eastside scheme divided opinion on the planning committee, where it was voted through by a 6 to 5 majority on Wednesday May 23.
Since then the move has prompted a flurry of letters to the Sussex Express, outlining their differing views on the decision, from the MP, cllr Rod Main, cllr Steve Saunders and others.
Mr Baker said: “The planning committee has ignored its own officers’ recommendation to defer the decision for two months, and taken a bizarre decision which I fear may be very harmful for the future of the town and for the port in particular. They have made an error of historic and far-reaching proportions.”
The MP argued the Eastside scheme would fatally undermine the shops in the town centre, damage job creation by allowing housing and retail on industrial land and divert scarce planning gain money into phase one of the port access road, which the port said it did not want or need. He added it would pull the rug out from under the port master plan and threaten the future of the port.
But leader of the district council James Page said: “Newhaven deserves the best. It has huge potential and I had hoped that the opportunity to hear both planning proposals together would have allowed members to weigh up the benefits of both schemes before coming to their decision.
“Frustratingly, the transport solution for the Railway Quay development could not be agreed by the Highways Authority and with such strong objection in place members’ hands were tied.
“I attended the committee meeting and was impressed by the detailed questions from councillors around the possible transport solutions and wider regeneration benefits. The deferral option lost credibility when East Sussex County Council stated they could see no workable solution ahead.”
Cllr Page said Lewes District Council worked hard to get all the facts before the committee and to look at the very important issues around: keeping the existing town centre alive, growth and business opportunities and the relationship with the port and helping deliver its master plan.
He said the council took seriously the feedback from the public consultation and considered the schemes against its own published regeneration strategy.
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London 2012: Danny Boyle Details Olympics Opening Ceremony Plans - Hollywood Reporter
LONDON -- Oscar-winning director Danny Boyle plans to transform the Opening Ceremony of the London Olympics into a surreal vista of a "green and pleasant land" at the newly built host stadium in Eastern London.
Boyle, wearing his hat as London 2012 Olympic Games Opening Ceremony artistic director, will orchestrate a cast of thousands of people and live animals, including 12 horses, 10 chickens, nine geese and 70 sheep.
Also on show before any athlete has performed will be a village cricket team; a model of Glastonbury's Tor (Hill), known for the world-famous music festival; and a parade of nurses.
Each of the four nations in the United Kingdom will be represented by their national flower -- the rose of England, the thistle of Scotland, the daffodil of Wales and flax from Northern Ireland.
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The opening scene promises real grass, real plows, real soil and, according to Boyle, clouds that would supply "rain" if there is none on the night in order to ensure an authentically British atmosphere.
"The ceremony is an attempt to capture a picture of ourselves as a nation, where we have come from and where we want to be," Slumdog Millionaire director Boyle said. "The best part of telling that story has been working with our 10,000 volunteers."
He also told gathered media Tuesday that there will be British humor and that the country's history will be represented, but "not in a box-ticking way," and that the show will reflect "parts of our heritage but looking forward as well."
To date, a total of 157 cast rehearsals have taken place, with volunteer performers giving up their evenings and weekends to take part in preparations at a site to the east of London.
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The ceremonies prop store at the East London studio facility 3 Mills Studio is producing 2,956 props, and staff in the costume department are working to produce 23,000 costumes for all four ceremonies. The work includes sewing 24,570 buttons onto the costumes for one of the opening sequences.
Boyle already had revealed that the three-hour Opening Ceremony would be entitled "Isles of Wonder," a title based on a speech by Caliban in Shakespeare's The Tempest that will be referenced throughout the four ceremonies of the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Boyle said the opening show would not be a musical but a narrative set to music.
British electronica band Underworld has recorded two lengthy tracks at Abbey Road to score the action. The Closing Ceremony promises to be a more traditional celebration of British music.
The ceremonies will cost a total of £81 million ($126 million).
The British government recently said it was pumping in an extra $64.3 million from a $14.6 billion public sector funding package to double the budget for the Games ceremonies, justifying the move by saying it was a "once in a lifetime" opportunity to promote the U.K.
The opening evening is expected to run as an hourlong cultural extravaganza before the traditional parade of athletes and the lighting of the Olympic cauldron and the fireworks.
Boyle said the giant bell will ring to begin the show.
The London Olympics run July 27-Aug. 12.
Source: www.hollywoodreporter.com
Got Petrol in Keightly today for 127.9 at Sainsbury's
- Mickd, Halifax, 12/6/2012 19:40
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