FYLDE

NEWS

DRESS CODE

VICTORY

INSIDE

Vikki’s Green Piece

HARRASSMENT

QUIZ RESULTS

MICKTLY QUIZ MEET THE REP!

featuring

Iryna Pearson

PEOPLES SURVEY

KINGS OF COMEDY

Tony’s Skiffle quiz – the results

I love skiffle. It was my era. I used to go like the clappers in those days Daddy - O.

Here are the answers to my music quiz, about my music – Skiffle.

Answer 1

According to Lonnie Donegan, my old man was a dustman

Answer 2

The Quarrymen was the original name of the Beatles, when they were a skiffle band.

Answer 3

The great Lonnie Donegan, sang about Cumberland Gap.

Answer 4

"Don't You Rock Me Daddy - O" was a Top Ten hit in 1957 for The Vipers Skiffle Band

Answer 5

Deryck Guyler played the washboard

Answer 6

Chas McDevitt Skiffle Group had a million selling single with Freight Train.

The winner will receive a mystery prize of X. Well done.

Tony

Answer 5

Deryck Guyler played the washboard

Answer 6

Chas McDevitt Skiffle Group had a million selling single with Freight Train.

The winner Lesley Tague received a prize of chocolates.

Well done.

Tony

PCS’s Ryscar House

Halloween Trick or treat Special

All Muggles are invited to our recruitment event

Recruit a friend

And get a trick or treat from the PCS cauldron

Wednesday 31st October 10:00-14:00

VIKKI’s GREEN PIECE

Did you know that over half of carbon emissions are work-related? This could be reduced by car sharing to work, cycling to work, walking to work, using public transport etc... Other green initiatives are reducing waste, recycling, energy saving and green purchasing. In real terms this can be reducing the amount of paper used at work, don’t print if not need. Using computers for work rather than writing things down. Turning computers off when going home. Turning lights off if not needed, opening the blinds if they are shut. Using recycled paper at all times. Making sure that paper used is being recycled. Making sure they are recycling bins for rubbish, and that they are clearly labelled. These are things ALL of us can do. Reduce waste, reuse supplies and commodities, and recycle waste helps minimise the need for landfill.

Four protestors have been sentenced for up to 15 months in prison for a peaceful protest against fracking in Lancashire. These four brave souls who spent up to four days on top of a convoy of lorries carrying drilling equipment into a nearby fracking site have been convicted for being a public nuisance.

They are the first environmental activists to receive jail sentences since 1932.

The judge said he thought they posed a risk of reoffending and could not be rehabilitated as “each of them remains motivated by an unswerving confidence that they are right.”

They ARE right.

Right to defend our earth against fracking, which has been proven a risky and harmful process to the environment and surrounding communities. Right to stand up for the Lancashire community, that have spent 7 years campaigning against fracking. Right to be concerned, that not enough has been done to take fracking seriously. Right to send a peaceful message to the fracking company; that we will not stand for this destruction. Right to act on behalf of more than short term interest. Right to care enough about our earth to get out of bed and do something about it.

Sentencing these people to prison is a perverse act that should send shockwaves not just through the legal system but throughout our Country. In the next weeks and months these four will need our support and love as they navigate the way forward.

You can support with messages of solidarity and donations for legal fees at: frackfreefoursupporters.org

Please send your answers to Duncan Griffiths, Room A208R Warbreck (or e-mail Duncan Griffiths - details in the GAL) to arrive no later than 10th November 2018

The winner will receive a mystery prize.

Please remember that Branch Executive Committee members cannot enter/ win the quizzes

Micktly Come

Dancing Quiz

Question 1

Who won the first series of strictly with her partner Brendon Cole? Was it?

a) Zoe Ball

b) Alesha Dixon

c) Anna Ford

d) Jill Halfpenny

e) Natasha Kaplinsky

Question 2

Which comedian was a guest presenter in 2009? Was it?

a) Ronnie Corbett

b) Eric Sykes

c) Peter Kay

d) Jimmy Tarbuck

e) Ronnie Barker

Question 3

Who was the first female judge on Strictly? Was it?

a) Tess Daly

b) Darcy Bussel

c) Alesha Dixon

d) Arlene Phillips

e) Shirley Ballas

Question 4

Which famous singer from the USA was a guest judge in 2014? Was it?

a) Johnny Cash

b) David Cassidy

c) Donny Osmond

d) Little Jimmy Osmond

e) David Soul

Question 5

Who was the first professional partner to win Strictly twice? Was it?

a) Aliona Vilani

b) Anton Du Beke

c) Brendon Cole

d) Pasha Kovalev

e) Ola Jordan

Question 6

Which celebrity withdrew from series 14? Was it?

a) Will Smith

b) Will Ferrell

c) Will Carling

d) Will Young

e) Will–i-am

Mick is back with a quiz about my favourite show on TV – Strictly. I love to throw a few shapes on the dance-floor, my moves are legendary

Here is my in time, in tune, on the beat quiz.

Exploitation is part and parcel of Amazon’s business model

Amazon’s Jeff Bezos this year become the world’s first 100 Billion Dollar Man - but one man’s fortune is built on a world of pain, the union GMB has warned.

Alarming numbers of UK warehouse staff leaving work by ambulance and are forced by the ‘furious’ work pace to urinate in bottles, the union revealed earlier this year.

But in a new feature in Hazards magazine, GMB director of safety Dan Shears says his union’s “not buying it,” as it continues its high profile organising drive. Part of the problem at the Amazon ‘fulfilment centres’, he says, is the company’s use of insecure, agency staff. “The precarious nature of their employment, means they are vulnerable by design. Any infraction – lateness for work, leaving early due to illness, not being able to turn up for work due to ill-health or sickness – can result in disciplinary action. Cumulative disciplinary points can result in a worker’s contract being revoked, or hours no longer being offered. Workers do not have the protection necessary to air concerns about wages, working conditions or health and safety problems,” he notes.

After GMB research found ambulances had been called to attend to workers over 600 times in three years at 14 Amazon UK warehouses, the union undertook a follow-up bodymapping exercise at seven Amazon sites. Almost nine out of ten (87 per cent) workers reported ‘constant and occasional pain’ in at least one body part. Only three per cent reported they experienced no pain.

Saying the union would continue its efforts to organise Amazon workers, a drive that included new protests last week outside Amazon’s Rugeley warehouse, Shears noted: “This business model has provided Amazon chief executive Jeff Bezos a very health bank balance. On the back of labour exploitation, unhealthy workplaces and cost-shifting to the public purse, his global firm was valued in September 2018 at $1 trillion. Bezos himself is the world’s first $100 billion man.”

TUC repeats calls for prevention of mental health problems:

The TUC has reiterated its warning that increasingly popular mental health first aid (MHFA) initiatives at work should not substitute for effective preventive action.

The TUC’s comments came after a Health and Safety Executive (HSE) research report confirmed there is ‘no evidence’ that MHFA training leads to improvements.

TUC head of safety Hugh Robertson said despite the “pretty incredible” findings, employers are spending millions of pounds training people in MHFA, with over 200,000 people having been trained in MHFA since 2007. But he added the TUC was not opposed to MHFA, noting “just because there is a lack of evidence, that does not mean MHFA makes no difference. It just means that there is no proof either way.”

Writing in a TUC blog, he said: “The problem however is that many employers are using MHFA as their only way of dealing with mental health issues and, increasingly, as a way of dealing with stress related problems. This is hardly surprising given that by introducing MHFA training they can say that they are doing something about mental health issues even if they are doing nothing about preventing stress-related illnesses such as depression and anxiety, which are responsible for around a third of all sickness absence. Also, because of the lack of any enforcement action, employers get away with this.”

The TUC safety specialist concluded: “Any employer who thinks they can deal with mental health concerns just by introducing MHFA, offered to a few handpicked ‘Mental Health Champions’, is very much mistaken. MHFA training must be seen as one of a range of initiatives that employers can introduce. The bottom line is that employers have a major role to play in both prevention and providing support to employees over and above just providing MHFAiders and unions need to work with them to try to achieve that.”

Same Old Boring Articles!!! If this is what you think then please let us know what kind of

articles or features would grab your attention. We are always looking for new ideas so please feel free to

contact Jonathan Bamborough (email via the GAL)

It’s YOUR Newsletter

Have your say – get in touch today

Civil service unions raise harassment concerns

Civil service unions in Scotland have said all workers must be safe from harassment at work . Unions PCS, Prospect and the FDA provided the statement to members employed by Scottish ministers, Scottish public bodies and in the Scottish parliament in the wake of media coverage of harassment allegations by two civil servants against former first minister Alex Salmond.

Commenting on behalf of all three unions, PCS national officer and STUC president Lynn Henderson said: “Whilst we can’t comment on the detail because there’s a legal process underway, I want to reiterate that all workers have the right to go to work without fear of harassment be it sexual, or otherwise. Any kind of behaviour that undermines these basic rights of working people will not be tolerated by our unions, or the trade union movement as a whole.”

She added: “Regardless if it’s in Hollywood or in Holyrood, harassment at work is an epidemic. Over 50 per cent of women have experienced sexual harassment at work, four out of five do not report it to the employer. If you’ve experienced harassment of any kind, I urge you to speak to a union representative. If you’re worried about speaking up, your union will protect you. The confidentiality and strength in numbers a trade union can provide offers protection for any member.”

After a 28th August 2018 meeting with the permanent secretary to the Scottish administration, the unions said in a statement they “have confidence that the Scottish government will continue to take seriously and handle sensitively all complaints of harassment. The unions are confident that the Scottish government processes which we negotiated are valid and robust and if any member wishes to make a complaint then they will receive the full support of their trade union. We also indicated our full support to the Permanent Secretary personally in leading the process and would encourage any worker with any concerns to come forward.”

Occupational health services (OHS) have a ‘clear value’ to workers, companies and the economy, a new study has found. The report from the Society of Occupational Medicine (SOM), the International SOS Foundation and KU Leuven University examines the value of occupational health from a global perspective and “provides a synthesis of global evidence on the effectiveness of occupational health interventions and cost effectiveness.” It notes that fatal and non-fatal work-related injuries and illnesses worldwide equate to a cost of approximately €2,680 billion, equivalent to 4 per cent of the global GDP or the entire GDP of Great Britain. Commenting on publication of ‘Occupational health: The global value and evidence’, SOM chief executive Nick Pahl said: “Work related health issues are far reaching, through the impact on organisations, employees and their families and on the wider community and ultimately the economy.” He added: “This report provides comprehensive evidence of significant positive health related impact and return on investment of successful occupational health interventions.” According to SOM, the report establishes that “occupational health services have a clear value: They improve the health of the working population; contribute to the prevention of work-related illnesses; prevent avoidable sickness absence through the provision of early interventions for those who develop a health condition; and increase the efficiency and productivity of organisations. They can also play a major part in protecting and revitalising the global economy.”

Occupational health action pays off, says study

Mick and Grant’s Pumps and Pants Quiz II – The Results

Who wears short shorts? Mick and Grant wear short shorts. Mick and Grant, the Branch fashionista; back with the answers to our quiz

Answer 1 What was Nike the Greek Goddess of victory

Answer 2 Adi Dassler founded Adidas

Answer 3 A Puma is a big cat

Answer 4 Neil Diamond was Forever in Blue Jeans

Answer 5 Levi Strauss patented blue jeans in 1871 (together with Jacob W Davis).

Answer 6 David Dundas felt alright when he put his jeans on.

The winner will receive a mystery prize.

Well done, Mick and Grant

Mick and Grant’s Kings of Comedy Quiz

Those jolly japesters Mick and Grant back with one of our fun filled quizzes. We really enjoyed the summer, but was it “ain’t half hot mum”, which was our favourite TV comedy show of all time. So lovely boy, here are the questions to our mirthful quiz.

Question 1

What was Gunner Graham’s nickname according to Battery Sergeant Major Williams? Was it?

a) Hi-Di-Hi b) Gloria c) La-De-Dah d) Lofty e) Nosher

Question 2 Which comedy great had a catchphrase “before your very eyes. Was it?

a) Bobby Davro b) Tommy Trinder c) Ernie Wise d) Eric Morecambe e) Arthur Askey

Question 3

Who wrote and directed “The Plank”. Was it?

a) Tommy Cooper b) Max Miller c) Tommy Trinder d) Eric Sykes e) Max Wall

Question 4 Which comedian appeared in Coronation Street in 1978 as Harry Payne. Was it?

a) Tommy Cooper b) Max Miller

c) Tommy Trinder d) Eric Sykes e) Max Wall Question 5 Tommy Trinder was chairman of which football club between 1959 and 1976. Was it?

a) Tottenham Hotspur b) Fulham c) Chelsea d) West Ham e) Arsenal

Question 6 What was Eric Morecambe’s actual surname?

a) Smith b) Daniels c) Bates d) Bartholomew e) Jones

Please send your answers to Duncan Griffiths, Room A208R Warbreck (or e-mail Duncan Griffiths - details in the GAL) to arrive no later than 10th November 2018

The winner will receive a mystery prize.

Please remember that Branch Executive Committee members cannot enter/ win the quizzes

DWP briefing Department for Work & Pensions Group

To: All Members and GEC

October 2018

DWP/MB/054/18

Have your say in the 2018 DWP People Survey

DWP People Survey 2018 Participation

Participation in the DWP People Survey provides an opportunity for you to tell DWP what you think. The Survey will be open from 1 to 31 October 2018. It only takes 15 to 20 minutes to complete and your line manager will allow official time for you to participate in the Survey. You can give DWP your own honest feedback about issues such as your pay and the fairness of the evaluation of your performance under the DWP People Performance process.

Voluntary, anonymous and confidential PCS has democratically agreed to support participation in the DWP People Survey following debate at the 2016 Annual PCS DWP Group Conference:

Participation in the DWP People Survey is voluntary, anonymous and confidential

All survey response options, positive or negative, are for the use of employees including neither. The use of neither does not give a negative response - it simply may indicate that the employee has no opinion to express or is simply unaware of the issue

All DWP employees are encouraged to complete the Survey once to give their own honest feedback on issues covered by the Survey questions

Tell DWP what you think!

All the response options which range from ‘Strongly agree’ to ‘Strongly disagree’, including ‘Neither’, are provided for your use. DWP People Survey guidance for line managers lists actions that support a well managed survey and these include: Encourage use of all the response categories, including ‘neither agree nor disagree.’

The Survey would be seriously distorted and devalued should people be falsely led to believe that ‘Neither’ is not as equally valid as a response as any other.

David Burke

Group Assistant Secretary

Name: Iryna Pearson

Age : 47

Catchphrase : Don’t judge a book by it’s cover

Branch Role: Personal Case Rep

Where : Warbreck B105

Greatest Achievement : I have 2 degrees from University and speak many languages

Favourite Holiday : Portugal

Book to take on a long journey : “To be the best” Barbara Taylor Bradford

Biggest Disaster : Got married just after 3 months of meeting my ex-husband

Favorite Quote : “If you have nothing nice to say, say nothing at all”

Favourite Food and Drink : My husbands Fish & Chips

Best Band : Don’t have one, but like Ed Sheeran and Jean-Jacques Goldman

Favourite Movie : Gone With The Wind

MEET THE REP… IRYNA PEARSON

WHO AM I ?

Fun Facts that people don’t know about me…

I am friggin’ terrified of balloons!

I am the only one Iryna Pearson in the UK according to Google,

I only started eating chocolate in January when I stopped

smoking.

PCS Women Campaigning for women in PCS