Archive for the 'Economy News' Category

Misery for passengers as BA union unveils strike dates

Talks aimed at averting industrial action at British Airways (BA) collapsed earlier this week and, as a result, Unit has today announced BA cabin crew members will strike for three days from March 20 and for four days from March 27.
Last month, BA‘s 12,000 cabin crew members voted to take industrial action over cost-cutting measures, [...]

Consumers warned 2010 will be difficult

British consumers should expect to face more financial difficulty this year than during 2009, a financial expert has claimed.
Richard Perks, director of retail research at Mintel, said it is “obvious” that living costs are going to rise while income is squeezed.
The tough times are “really still to come,” Perks said.
“That doesn’t necessarily mean we are [...]

John Lewis staff share £151m bonus pot

John Lewis Partnership, the renowned employee-owned department store, has revealed its staff will share a bonus pot of £151 million.
The announcement came after the 146-year-old group said annual pre-tax profits grew 9.7% to £306.6 million.
According to John Lewis chairman, Charlie Mayfield, the company’s 70,000 staff – or partners, as John Lewis refers to them [...]

“Blue skies ahead”, say IATA

According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), the global airline industry is improving, with both passenger and freight numbers expected to grow this year.
In January, the industry body said 2009 saw the biggest decline in air passenger traffic since the aftermath of World War II.
The global economic downturn had a devastating impact on the [...]

Greece at standstill again in third general strike

Crisis-hit Greece has come to a standstill again today after workers staged the third general strike in as many weeks.
The further strike comes after austerity measures to rescue Greece’s debt-stricken economy angered Greek trade unions.
Greece is currently taking action to reduce its public deficit from 12% to 8% of GDP this year.
The country currently [...]

US imports and exports down in January

The Commerce Department today announced a fall in US imports and exports, resulting in an unexpected fall in the trade deficit.
According to official figures, exports in January dipped 0.3% to $142.7 billion, with less machinery, agricultural products and civilian aircraft sold.
Meanwhile, imports slumped 1.7% in the world’s largest economy, to $180 billion, partly due [...]