News
Three big supermarkets respond after they’re called out for making staff work on Boxing Day
Just in…
Some stores have confirmed they will remain open on Boxing Day, despite calls to give retail staff a well-deserved break.
However, a selection of retailers including supermarkets have confirmed they will be giving staff time off over Christmas so they can spend time with family.
Asda and Waitrose have said they will not be open on December 26th to give staff a break after a difficult 2020. Asda employees who were scheduled to work will still get paid.
Unions have called for similar action across the sector, however, Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Morrisons and Lidl will still be open on Boxing Day, meaning their staff will be working.
Now, the big chains have responded.
A spokesperson for Morrisons told Kent Live: “We will be opening our stores on Boxing Day for a limited number of hours to help our customers.
“The well being of our colleagues remains a key priority to us and our stores are working hard to ensure all colleagues get a meaningful break during the Christmas period so they can spend quality time with their family, friends or loved ones.
“Working on Boxing Day is voluntary for our colleagues and they receive double pay and time back in lieu.”
They confirmed, however, that all frontline colleagues will receive a 6% bonus on their earning for the next 12 months rather than the usual 8-12 weeks. The statement explained: “The changes represent a bonus payment of £1,050 for a full-time frontline colleague compared to the £351 that would have been paid last year.”
Sainsbury’s has confirmed they will be open on Boxing Day but will be putting measures in place to give as many staff as possible the day off.
Bosses claim they have been accepting Boxing Day holiday requests where possible and staff had received financial bonuses.
A Sainsbury’s spokesman said: “Our colleagues do a fantastic job and have worked incredibly hard this year, so we’re doing everything we can to make sure they are able to take some time to rest and enjoy the festive season with their families, including reducing opening hours in supermarkets on Boxing Day.
“We’re recruiting more colleagues into our business than ever before so that we can give as many people as possible the time off they have asked for. This includes 12,000 temporary colleagues to support us this Christmas. For colleagues that have requested it, we have made sure they are able to take at least two consecutive days off over Christmas.
“In recognition of the outstanding service given to customers every day throughout the pandemic by our colleagues, this year we made two thank you payments to frontline workers.”
Tesco has confirmed it will be open on Boxing Day with reduced hours. According to the BBC, staff will be reward with an extra 10% bonus over Christmas and New Year.
The general trade union GMB’s national officer, Roger Jenkins said: “GMB has been requesting Asda to allow their key worker heroes family time over Christmas, so we are pleased they have agreed to our calls.
“It’s a shame this is not extra holiday – workers will have to book a day of their annual leave entitlement. GMB now calls on the rest of the retail sector to follow suit and repay these key workers with a chance to spend Boxing Day with their loved ones.”
The Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers (USDAW) welcomed Asda’s news of ‘doing the right thing by their staff’ but added that ‘we don’t think that is too much to ask for’.
News
Oasis announce huge reunion tour as Liam and Noel Gallagher ‘make peace’
The news we’ve all been waiting for!
After years of will-they-won’t-they speculation, Oasis are officially BACK together for a reunion tour.
The Gallagher brothers have put aside their differences in the name of music, making thousands of fans extremely happy in the process.
The band teased the news on their socials over the weekend, posting a video on Sunday morning with today’s date (Tuesday, August 27th) and the time 8am.
And now shows have been announced for multiple dates in the UK and Ireland, with tickets going live this Saturday, August 31st.
The legendary Mancunian rockers will take to the stage next summer, with gigs in Cardiff, London, Edinburgh, Dublin and, of course, Manchester.
15 years after splitting, the band confirmed they would be back for 14 shows, saying: “The guns have fallen silent. The stars have aligned. The great wait is over. Come see. It will not be televised”.
The gigs will be Oasis’s ‘only shows in Europe next year’, with tickets on sale this Saturday at 8am in Ireland and 9am in the UK.
The Oasis 2025 tour dates in full:
July
4th – Cardiff, Principality Stadium
5th – Cardiff, Principality Stadium
11th – Manchester, Heaton Park
12th – Manchester, Heaton Park
19th – Manchester, Heaton Park
20th – Manchester, Heaton Park
25th – London, Wembley Stadium
26th – London, Wembley Stadium
August
2nd – London, Wembley Stadium
3rd – London, Wembley Stadium
8th – Edinburgh, Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium
9th – Edinburgh, Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium
16th – Dublin, Croke Park
17th – Dublin, Croke Park
You can grab your tickets HERE.
News
Stagecoach hiring over 100 new bus drivers for Bee Network with £31k salaries
Fancy a career change?
Stagecoach Manchester is hiring over 100 new bus drivers to work from its Oldham depot, following the second phase of the Bee Network launch in March.
You can apply for a range of roles, from positions with no experience required to fully qualified bus drivers.
Successful applicants will receive full training as part of the job, and trainees will get paid to train. Then after only 12 months’ service at Stagecoach, drivers can expect to earn up to £16 per hour, which equates to £31.6K per year, before overtime.
As well as that, drivers that already hold a PCV licence may be eligible to receive a £1,200 joining bonus.
Stagecoach
There’s also a host of other benefits available to all Stagecoach employees, like 28 days paid holiday, generous pension and free Stagecoach bus travel for successful applicants and a companion.
Rob Jones, Managing Director at Stagecoach Manchester said: “Expanding our offering in Oldham means we’ll be investing more in the economy and supporting our local community, as well as strengthening our workforce.
“Whether you’re looking for a career change or you’re a fully qualified, experienced bus driver, there’s a role for everyone here in Oldham.
“We’re looking for personable and dedicated drivers who are ready to help us build on the success of the Bee Network and connect the people of Oldham and Greater Manchester with the places and people that are important to them.”
Stagecoach
Phil Cornwall, bus driver at Stagecoach Manchester, said: “I’ve been a driver at Stagecoach for 25 years and I couldn’t recommend it more.
“From the perks to the people to the passengers, it really is a great place to work.”
To apply, head to the Stagecoach website HERE.
Two men have now been charged with murder, following the discovery of a human torso in Kersal Dale.
As well as that, more suspected human remains were also discovered this morning, Monday April 29th, in an alleyway close to the railway lines off Worsley Road, Eccles.
This follows earlier discoveries of human remains over the past three weeks, at Kersal Dale, Blackleach Reservoir and Colliery Wood, all in Salford.
Greater Manchester Police
Michal Jaroslaw Polchowski (25/04/1956) and Marcin Majerkiewicz (10/04/1982) both of Worsley Road, Eccles, have been charged with murder.
They are set to appear at Tameside Magistrates Court this afternoon.
While formal identification is still ongoing, the remains found at Kersal Dale are believed to be of a local man in his 60s. The remains found at the other three locations are still to be tested, but police are confident they belong to the same victim.
ACC Sarah Jackson said: “We have had large numbers of officers, staff and specialists working diligently on this investigation over the last three weeks. It has been very much a large, collective effort, with the victim and family at the heart of it from the outset.
“We have specially trained officers deployed to support the family as they come to terms with this tragic news. They are aware of this morning’s further discovery and will continue to be kept up to date with how we are progressing.
“Despite the charges brought today, our work is far from over.
“The scenes we already have established in Bury and Salford will remain in place for much of this week whilst our searches and enquiries continue. Local officers will continue to patrol the impacted areas to provide reassurance.
“We will continue following every line of enquiry to recover and reunite the victim with his family, bringing a dignified end to this terrible scenario.
“I’d like to thank the communities of Salford and beyond for their cooperation throughout this investigation. I know this incident has come as a shock, and the support we’ve had from those in the area is very much appreciated.”
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