WHAT HAPPENED ON 8th January 2001?

7th January 2001

METRO MASSAGE TO SOOTHE SUBWAY STRESS

The Paris subway system is treating its passengers to a free massage to counter the stress of delays & staff strikes. The initiative in place at four stations also involves giving away health foods like seaweed crackers & green tea and putting up bright signs. "We live in a city where there are lots of nervous & stressed out people " explained masseur Christophe Basile. The massages are set to add up to 10 minutes to people's journey times.

8th January 2001

SPAIN

Many abattoir staff in central and northwest Spain have gone on strike to protest against measures introduced to counter the BSE crisis. The workers in the Castilla y Leon are unhappy at the requirement of health certificates for cattle. PORTUGAL Train drivers began a 48-hour strike on Monday to protest against working conditions. Portuguese Rail (CP) is to provide alternative transport to minimize the effects of the strike & is making a total of 206 buses available.

8th January 2001

BLOOD CLOT WARNINGS GIVEN OUT ON PLANES

BA passengers are to get travel health information leaflets following the scare over "economy class syndrome". The leaflets also to be sent to GPs' surgeries will include tips on reducing the risk of fatal blood clots on long-haul flights. The airline said this was not connected to recent air passenger deaths. "It is about well-being in the air and we have always talked about well-being in the air " a spokeswoman said.

7th January 2001

UK CEMENT FIRM FACING FRENCH TAKEOVER

French building materials giant Lafarge has confirmed it has agreed a £3.1bn takeover of UK-based cement group Blue Circle Industries. Blue Circle shares surged after news of the recommended offer set to create the world's largest cement producer. The deal comes less than a year after Lafarge tried & failed to snap up Blue Circle with a hostile takeover bid Blue Circle employs 18 637 staff of whom 4 779 are based in the UK.

8th January 2001

SPAIN

Many abattoir staff in central and northwest Spain have gone on strike to protest against measures introduced to counter the BSE crisis. The workers in the Castilla y Leon are unhappy at the requirement of health certificates for cattle. PORTUGAL Train drivers began a 48-hour strike on Monday to protest against working conditions. Portuguese Rail (CP) is to provide alternative transport to minimize the effects of the strike & is making a total of 206 buses available.

8th January 2001

EXECUTIVE MULLS OVER NAME CHANGE

The Scottish Executive is on the hunt for a new name which would do more to convey the scope of its work. Ministers are inviting suggestions on a new title to replace the name which has been in use since devolution. The Executive inherited most of the staff & responsibilities of the old Scottish Office. The idea of renaming the Executive emerged as the Post Office revealed plans to change its corporate name in March to Consignia.

7th January 2001

THEFT Supermarket firm Asda is offering a reward after one of its petrol tankers carrying £27 000 worth of fuel was stolen from the Vopak terminal in Grays Essex. SOCCER Manchester United is cutting 48 jobs at its Old Trafford merchandising operation halving the workforce. The company will strike deals with firms around the world to develop its goods.

8th January 2001

SPAIN

Many abattoir staff in central and northwest Spain have gone on strike to protest against measures introduced to counter the BSE crisis. The workers in the Castilla y Leon are unhappy at the requirement of health certificates for cattle. PORTUGAL Train drivers began a 48-hour strike on Monday to protest against working conditions. Portuguese Rail (CP) is to provide alternative transport to minimize the effects of the strike & is making a total of 206 buses available.

8th January 2001

COUNCIL HAMPERS END TO UNISON STRIKE

The return to work by UNISON workers is under threat due to claims of victimisation of striking workers. UNISON claims the council has threatened to cut strikers' annual leave entitlement reduce sick pay rights & block career breaks. The council says UNISON members were warned that striking could affect their conditions of service. Unison workers are due to return to work on Monday prior to a resumption of talks to resolve the dispute.

7th January 2001

STEELWORKERS BALLOTED OVER JOBS FEARS

Workers at Britain's biggest steel firm are to be balloted on industrial action over fears of job losses. The Iron & Steel Trades Confederation wants assurances that planned cuts by Corus will not mean compulsory redundancies at its Scunthorpe factory. Members will be balloted but the ISTC said "real progress" had been made in day-long talks with management. Last year Corus axed thousands of jobs and the ISTC fears a plant could close.

8th January 2001

SPAIN

Many abattoir staff in central and northwest Spain have gone on strike to protest against measures introduced to counter the BSE crisis. The workers in the Castilla y Leon are unhappy at the requirement of health certificates for cattle. PORTUGAL Train drivers began a 48-hour strike on Monday to protest against working conditions. Portuguese Rail (CP) is to provide alternative transport to minimize the effects of the strike & is making a total of 206 buses available.

8th January 2001

HEALTH WORKERS RECEIVE £250m PAY BOOST

More than 350 000 NHS workers are set to receive a pay increase worth £250m the Department of Health has announced. The rise will apply to most NHS staff apart from doctors & nurses and will boost some wage packets by up to 20%. Lab technicians porters cleaners psychologists & physiotherapists will all benefit from the April 1 increase. The rise which increased the basic offer by 3.7% followed a two-year campaign by the MSF union.