Results tagged “news”

The proposed strike on three London Underground lines has been suspended after union members were offered an improved pay deal.

The RMT have agreed a deal "in principle" with maintenance consortium Tube Lines which will suspend the 72-hour stoppage scheduled to start at noon tomorrow.

The strike would have affected the Jubilee, Piccadilly and Northern lines.

STRIKE action on the tube looks a certainty after pay negotiations between the RMT and Tube Lines broke down.

A 72-hour walk-out by union members is scheduled to start at noon next Wednesday, August 20, affecting the Jubilee, Piccadilly and Northern Lines.

“THIS IS London’s Olympic Borough and it would be a disgrace if there is no sailing facility here, it’s one of our most successful sports.”

These are the passionate words of Peter Chilvers – a man on a mission to save the Royal Victoria Dock Sailing Centre, which he thinks should form a vital part of the 2012 Olympic legacy.

Newham’s only full-time sailing facility, close to the ExCeL Centre, has provided the opportunity for thousands of children to enjoy watersports over the past 20 years, but its future is in doubt.

A THAMES Clippers’ crew has been hailed as heroes after helping save a man from drowning in the river.

The crew of the Hurricane, based at Trinity Buoy Wharf, helped pull the man to safety last Thursday evening after he jumped off London Bridge.

The Hurricane – manned by captain Joe Maw, mate Ben Mann and deckhand Ross Myers – was about to leave London Bridge City Pier at 7pm when a passenger spotted the man in the water. He is believed to be about 35 and of Turkish origin.

The passenger informed the crew and the quick-thinking sailors threw the stranded man a lifebelt while they raised the alarm. A boat from the Metropolitan Police Marine Unit, based at Wapping, and the Tower RNLI lifeboat were quickly on the scene.

A CASH-strapped Isle of Dogs charity desperately needs help to find temporary premises and hopes a Canary Wharf company will step in to help.

The Docklands Settlement, in East Ferry Road, is the main community centre on the Island and is used by more than 1,000 people every week, including beaver scouts, pensioners and groups from Bangladesh, Vietnam and Portugal.

But the charity is housed in an ageing building, built in 1905, which is nearing the end of its useful life. It’s crumbling away and plans are in place to demolish it and build a new facility later this year, but that will present the charity with a headache, as Steve Hill, manager of the centre, explained.

By Raksha Malde-Kara

AT least someone is making a mint out of the current financial turmoil. Food franchises are cashing in as office workers cut back on lavish lunches and opt for the office canteen instead.

Indian restaurant franchise Tiffinbites says its sales are up by 40 per cent over the last six weeks. The company provides food to the canteens of more than 200 blue chip companies including Citigroup and Barclays.

Jimal Himani, CEO and founder of Tiffinbites said: “Our Tiffin days have been operating in offices since 2005. But since the economic slowdown, we have noticed an upturn in profits from canteen sales. Whereas many workers would normally go out for lunch, they are now choosing to save money by eating on site.”