Welcome for announcement that Loganair will take on City of Derry airport contract for London flights

Posted on February 21, 2019 by
Gareth Scott

Gareth Scott, Unite Regional Officer

Management must now seek to build on this success to further develop City of Derry as a regional airhub

Speaking on behalf of his union’s members in City of Derry airport, Gareth Scott, Regional Officer for Unite welcomed confirmation that Loganair airline would be taking on the Stansted route from the airport from BMI Regional (FlyBMI), which previously operated the Derry to London service.

“This evening’s announcement came after workers left City of Derry early today but will be a huge relief to those who feared for their jobs as a consequence of the fact that BMI Regional (FlyBMI) had gone into administration over the weekend. The Stansted service is central to the long-term viability of the City of Derry airport.

“Given the fact that an airline has agreed to take on the Derry-Stanstead route and the confirmation that its PSO status will be extended to 2021, this represents a tremendous platform for future growth. This provides the perfect spring-board for City of Derry to seek additional flights into the airport and securing its place as a leading regional air-hub. This is good news for Derry/Londonderry and for the northwest in particular”, Mr Scott concluded.

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Bus drivers concerned for their safety and that of public after fourth night of attacks by youths in a row in Lagmore area

Posted on February 20, 2019 by
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Davy Thompson, Unite Regional Coordinating Officer

Last night’s attack included stone-throwing and attempts to board a bus as well as a Translink monitoring car

Davy Thompson, Unite Regional Coordinating Officer condemned those responsible for last night’s attack on bus services in the Lagmore estate in Belfast.

“Last night a group of youths gathered in the Lagmore area made attempts to board the Metro bus service. When this did not succeed they proceeded to stone the bus. The same actions occurred to a Translink car which was monitoring the service.

“This is now the fourth night in a row of attacks on the bus service in Lagmore and appears to coincide with the mid-term break. These acts of mindless violence threaten not just the safety of bus drivers but that of passengers. Unfortunately there is a history of attacks on bus services in the Lagmore area and services only recently returned to the estate after assurances were provided by local political and community leaders. Continue reading →

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Job opportunity: Membership & Finance Administrator

Posted on February 20, 2019 by

unite-white-out-of-redFebruary 20th: The ESB Energy Branch of Unite Trade Union is seeking a suitably qualified person to fill the central role of Membership and Finance Administrator in our small organisation on a full time basis.

Working in our central Dublin Office, the successful candidate will deal with all of our administrative interactions with our members, other trades unions, other parts of Unite and general enquiries. A key part of the position also involves assisting with our financial and accounting processes and returns. Skills in the use of Microsoft Office and other software programmes applicable to membership systems are a necessity along with a certified accountancy qualification (stage 1 minimum).

The position is 34 hours per week from 09.00 – 17.00 Monday to Thursday and 09.00 to 16.00 Friday. Normal flexibility will be required on occasions. The reward includes a competitive salary, a defined contribution pension scheme with matched employer contributions, generous annual leave arrangements and other benefits.

CVs should be emailed to adminroi@unitetheunion.org to be received by close of business on Friday, 1st March 2019.

A full job description can be downloaded here.

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Craigavon protest called over threat by Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough to outsource leisure services

Posted on February 20, 2019 by

Craigavon protest£3.2 million of ratepayers money has been wasted on consultants threatening a possible 14 percent rates hike post-election

Work force representatives from the GMB, NIPSA and UNITE unions who represent the workforce in Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council issued the following statement in defence of local leisure services .

At the recent meeting of the ABC leisure services committee, two parties combined to recommend that a private enterprise company not only run the new South Lakes Project Leisure centre but all indoor leisure services. The vote was carried by the votes of Democratic Unionist and Ulster Unionist councillors although we welcome the fact that independent Unionist councillors and those of the other parties voted in favour of an in-house management model. Continue reading →

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Workforce hopeful another airline can be found to take on City of Derry airport contract for London flights

Posted on February 18, 2019 by

Gareth ScottLast week’s PSO extension means that Stansted service is highly attractive to potential alternative airlines

Speaking on behalf of his union’s members in City of Derry airport, Gareth Scott, Regional Officer for Unite expressed his hopes that an airline could be found to replace BMI Regional (FlyBMI), which previously operated the Derry to London service.

“Unite represents workers at City of Derry airport. The announcement over the weekend that BMI Regional (FlyBMI) was going into administration and would cease all operations including the London-Stansted service operating from the airport came as a bolt from the blue. The Stansted service is central to the sustainability of the City of Derry airport and must be sustained come what may.

“The announcement comes only days after the European Commission confirmed the extension to 2021 of PSO status for the Stansted service from airport. The good news is that this decision will make the service highly attractive to other airline operators. As such, we are hopeful that a replacement can be found in the coming days. Continue reading →

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