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They've tried to tell us we're too old

continued from local news
He's not the only one either. The US-owned company is busy purging its workforce of every employee over the age of 65.
That means 32 older workers in the West Midlands are being thrown on the scrapheap, along with another 140 nationally.

"I've still got lots to offer and there've been no complaints about my work," said Ken, who used to drive and valet cars at their Stirchley office before being fired last week.
"In fact, I know that managers actually prefer older workers because they are more reliable and careful.
"But they just want to get rid of us and hire younger staff who are cheaper."
That's a claim Enterprise denies.
Vice-president Jim Burrell told us that the company's managers have to retire at 65 and they are simply bringing other workers into line to avoid breaking equal opportunities legislation.
He also said that staff have the right to appeal against their dismissal, but as Ken points out: "There's not much point appealing to people who don't want to employ you."
It seems to me that the firm are hiding behind the law on discrimination to justify their own bigoted attitude towards older staff.

Does anyone want to join my crusade to make sure that over-65s have the same employment rights as younger workers, including access to a tribunal if they're sacked?
The campaign starts here.

 

Arts centre set for major funding boost

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The outdated home of two of the city’s major arts organisations  the mac and Sampad will get £6.2m from the council and £5.4m from the Arts Council to dramatically improve the building.
The redevelopment plan includes a new three-storey core through the centre of the existing building as well as major improvements to facilities such as disabled access, exhibition spaces, bar, café. social areas and toilets, the ticket office, the pedestrian bridge and entrance.
There will also be a new media studio, an additional education studio, extra function rooms and a consolidation of office space for mac and Sampad.
With over 500,000 visitors a year, mac is the most visited arts centre in the Midlands. Sampad South Asian Arts promotes the appreciation and practice of the diverse art forms originating from lndia, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.
Cllr Ray Hassall, cabinet member for Leisure, Sport and Culture, said: “I am delighted that we have been able to find a way to move this scheme forward. The arts are immensely important to this city and our support of the re-development will send out a very strong and positive message to all our partners in the sector.”
The building project will run from spring 2008 until summer 2009. For more details go to the mac website at www.macarts.co.uk.

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Stirchley school


 
   
  Engineer John from Stirchley, has a royal appointment

continued from local news

The former Matthew Boulton college student, who works for Orange telecommunications, in Small Heath, was invited to the VIP function after scooping a hat-trick of industry awards.
The high profile event, which boasted TV stars such as Little Britain comic David Walliams, was held to recognise people who have a made a significant contribution to British life in 2006.
John began his three year apprentice-ship when he was 21, studying an HNC in telecommunications.
He now works in technical operations for Orange and has received a string of top awards including being named the UK's top apprentice.
He attended the palace with his 21-year-old girlfriend Anne Wilson, but admitted he was shocked to be included in the royal get-together.
"I couldn't believe it," he said. "I won a few awards and they must have heard about it because I got a letter saying I was invited to the Queen's Christmas reception.
"I didn't know anything about it. I was in Paris at the time and I spoke to my step-mum who said I had a letter from the palace."
And John said visiting the Queen's London home was a day he will never forget.
"It was incredible, There were a fair few people there, people who have made a significant contribution to 2006.
"I looked at the front of the palace and I thought that was it but it goes back for miles. It's a beautiful building, it's dripping in gold."
"Someone came over and said the Queen wanted to speak to some young people and they showed us how to bow and curtsey and how to act. She was a really nice lady, she asked what I had done and I told her about the apprenticeship.
"I was in awe just going there but actually talking to the Queen made my day."
But despite being named as one of the country's top young engineers John was brought back down to earth with a bump when he saw the Christmas rota and found he will be on-duty throughout the festive period.
"I'm working right through to New Year's Day," he said. "I don't mind - I'll get to celebrate in the New Year."
 
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