Council leads taskforce to help 550 gas workers facing redundancy (From Daily Echo)

Weren't Capita looking to take on Call workers?
Wasn't it 300?
Good thing the council are stepping in & bringing all contacts forward.
300 at Capita,50 going to Chandlers Ford now they need to find 150 positions well done the council!

Would the Council's resources not be better employed doing something else, rather than assist people who appear to be capable of working and finding jobs new employment?

Anything else sounds good, but how about helping the long term unemployed (those who genuinely want to work) find employment?

Goldenwight wrote:
Would the Council's resources not be better employed doing something else, rather than assist people who appear to be capable of working and finding jobs new employment? Anything else sounds good, but how about helping the long term unemployed (those who genuinely want to work) find employment?

Those genuinely want to work' what your implying is that the staff at british gas, who have been working, dont want to work??? Goldenwight, those that are currently unemployed can get the same help at the job centre but choose not too

allmove4ward2geva wrote:

Goldenwight wrote: Would the Council's resources not be better employed doing something else, rather than assist people who appear to be capable of working and finding jobs new employment? Anything else sounds good, but how about helping the long term unemployed (those who genuinely want to work) find employment?

Those genuinely want to work' what your implying is that the staff at british gas, who have been working, dont want to work??? Goldenwight, those that are currently unemployed can get the same help at the job centre but choose not too

When was the last time you tried getting help at a Jobcentre?

Huffter wrote:

allmove4ward2geva wrote:

Goldenwight wrote: Would the Council's resources not be better employed doing something else, rather than assist people who appear to be capable of working and finding jobs new employment? Anything else sounds good, but how about helping the long term unemployed (those who genuinely want to work) find employment?

Those genuinely want to work' what your implying is that the staff at british gas, who have been working, dont want to work??? Goldenwight, those that are currently unemployed can get the same help at the job centre but choose not too

When was the last time you tried getting help at a Jobcentre?

Me personally, never, friends have had had turned down going on courses because it was 'below them'

loosehead wrote:
Weren't Capita looking to take on Call workers? Wasn't it 300? Good thing the council are stepping in & bringing all contacts forward. 300 at Capita,50 going to Chandlers Ford now they need to find 150 positions well done the council!

Not so well done on top of the British Gas employees who are being made redundant, I do believe there are also around a 100 Capita staff working there as well:( Been there for about 6 months so they are going to be looking for work as well.

sla100 wrote:

loosehead wrote: Weren't Capita looking to take on Call workers? Wasn't it 300? Good thing the council are stepping in & bringing all contacts forward. 300 at Capita,50 going to Chandlers Ford now they need to find 150 positions well done the council!

Not so well done on top of the British Gas employees who are being made redundant, I do believe there are also around a 100 Capita staff working there as well:( Been there for about 6 months so they are going to be looking for work as well.

Some started this week!!!

Goldenwight wrote:
Would the Council's resources not be better employed doing something else, rather than assist people who appear to be capable of working and finding jobs new employment? Anything else sounds good, but how about helping the long term unemployed (those who genuinely want to work) find employment?

The majority of longterm unemployed dont want to find employment! Thats why they are long term unemployed...

I think its better to support these guys who have proven records of willful employment and want to work hard for a living rather than trying to find the few genuine cases from the many who have been sat on their ar$e for the last few years.

chunky_lover wrote:
will the council be helping the edge nightclub generate new business too? and what about the shop opposite, the council need to help these businesses too. They have relied solely on the business of the call centre staff and it's liberal approach to sexuality and physique.

Chunky lover you put...Its liberal approach to sexuality. What is your problem? If a lesbian or bi sexual, gay etc person worked at British Gas, how is that a problem? I am a lesbian and so what? I was there 6 years? people's sexuality is not important. Its people because of you, who are to scared to come out of the closet. We are in the UK not caveman times. Get a life

flatoutchilled wrote:

chunky_lover wrote:
will the council be helping the edge nightclub generate new business too? and what about the shop opposite, the council need to help these businesses too. They have relied solely on the business of the call centre staff and it's liberal approach to sexuality and physique.

Chunky lover you put...Its liberal approach to sexuality. What is your problem? If a lesbian or bi sexual, gay etc person worked at British Gas, how is that a problem? I am a lesbian and so what? I was there 6 years? people's sexuality is not important. Its people because of you, who are to scared to come out of the closet. We are in the UK not caveman times. Get a life

Oh look out, here come the thought police!

flatoutchilled wrote:

chunky_lover wrote:
will the council be helping the edge nightclub generate new business too? and what about the shop opposite, the council need to help these businesses too. They have relied solely on the business of the call centre staff and it's liberal approach to sexuality and physique.

Chunky lover you put...Its liberal approach to sexuality. What is your problem? If a lesbian or bi sexual, gay etc person worked at British Gas, how is that a problem? I am a lesbian and so what? I was there 6 years? people's sexuality is not important. Its people because of you, who are to scared to come out of the closet. We are in the UK not caveman times. Get a life

You two really have nothing better to say and do? If you have nothing better to do? maybe support the staff who face loosing their jobs?

bigfella777 wrote:

flatoutchilled wrote:

chunky_lover wrote:
will the council be helping the edge nightclub generate new business too? and what about the shop opposite, the council need to help these businesses too. They have relied solely on the business of the call centre staff and it's liberal approach to sexuality and physique.

Chunky lover you put...Its liberal approach to sexuality. What is your problem? If a lesbian or bi sexual, gay etc person worked at British Gas, how is that a problem? I am a lesbian and so what? I was there 6 years? people's sexuality is not important. Its people because of you, who are to scared to come out of the closet. We are in the UK not caveman times. Get a life

Oh look out, here come the thought police!

In that case they'll never be after you then :p

loosehead wrote:
Weren't Capita looking to take on Call workers?
Wasn't it 300?
Good thing the council are stepping in & bringing all contacts forward.
300 at Capita,50 going to Chandlers Ford now they need to find 150 positions well done the council!

Perhaps you could tell ud if your beloved council are helping the employees of Remploy to find suitable new jobs.
.
Now that would be a REAL challenge ...... One that i dont think that they will be interested in.
.
By the way ........ Is there an election soon ???

Lone Ranger. wrote:

loosehead wrote:
Weren't Capita looking to take on Call workers?
Wasn't it 300?
Good thing the council are stepping in & bringing all contacts forward.
300 at Capita,50 going to Chandlers Ford now they need to find 150 positions well done the council!

Perhaps you could tell ud if your beloved council are helping the employees of Remploy to find suitable new jobs.
.
Now that would be a REAL challenge ...... One that i dont think that they will be interested in.
.
By the way ........ Is there an election soon ???

I hope people who will be selected won't be like chunky_lover and bigfella777 because I'm against any kinds of discrimination..

My sympathies are with the British gas employees who are losing their jobs and wish them the best of luck in finding new ones.
My only question is why Southampton City Council, presumably funded by tax payers' money, are spending public money in helping the displaced employees of a private enterprise company, privatised by Margaret Thatcher to find work?
Surely British Gas should pay such schemes out of their own vast profits?
I consider this to be a serious issue and will inform both Denham and Whitehead of my concerns, asking if they support this use of public money --- British Gas shareholders, (mainly now big financial instituitions ) must be laughing all the way to the bank!!

What a bunch of idiots some of you are.
in the previous posts you asked the question what are the council doing?
Well now they are actively trying to help these people find alternative work & you slate them for that & you ask what they're doing for all the unemployed?
As there are job vacancies with Capita the Capita workers could be transferred over still leaving 200 vacancies so exactly hows this costing us any money by them setting up a task force to help find these people alternative work?
Who knows? If they're successful maybe you'll be happy?
Maybe they should scrap the job fairs they hold as Crikey this must be costing us money?
Ask the workers who are helped to find work if they were/are against the councils aid?
As most of you are trade unionists or Labour party members I thought you would be happy with this & maybe talk to the council about joint ventures to bring work to the unemployed instead of knocking it don't you care about peoples jobs? or is it because it's a Tory council trying to help it's residents?

Are they Agencys workers I bet they are!

SCC's going to help these people find jobs? Oh look! Another flying elephant. I also note that Denham has described the news as “hugely disappointing”. Thanks for the thought John.

bazzeroz wrote:
SCC's going to help these people find jobs? Oh look! Another flying elephant. I also note that Denham has described the news as “hugely disappointing”. Thanks for the thought John.

Why not wait & see before making that type of comment?
Doesn't Capita have vacancies? doesn't it do work for the council? so they have a bit of clout with Capita so let's see if it helps these people? Also as I've said before what do you call holding job fairs ? this is a way to help people find jobs so YES the council try to help find jobs or didn't you realise that?

There are a few jobs going in Burgar bars in Southampton

chunky_lover wrote:
will the council be helping the edge nightclub generate new business too? and what about the shop opposite, the council need to help these businesses too. They have relied solely on the business of the call centre staff and it's liberal approach to sexuality and physique.

Not Meaning To Offend anyone that have recently been told theyre to lose their jobs But Think Southampton City Council Should Look To Be Helping theyre own Employees That Are Due To Lose Their jobs Because of "MAJOR CUTBACKS" Sadly My Dad Being One Of These People!

loosehead wrote:
What a bunch of idiots some of you are.
in the previous posts you asked the question what are the council doing?
Well now they are actively trying to help these people find alternative work & you slate them for that & you ask what they're doing for all the unemployed?
As there are job vacancies with Capita the Capita workers could be transferred over still leaving 200 vacancies so exactly hows this costing us any money by them setting up a task force to help find these people alternative work?
Who knows? If they're successful maybe you'll be happy?
Maybe they should scrap the job fairs they hold as Crikey this must be costing us money?
Ask the workers who are helped to find work if they were/are against the councils aid?
As most of you are trade unionists or Labour party members I thought you would be happy with this & maybe talk to the council about joint ventures to bring work to the unemployed instead of knocking it don't you care about peoples jobs? or is it because it's a Tory council trying to help it's residents?

Damned if they do and damned if they don't !

lisa whitemore wrote:

chunky_lover wrote:
will the council be helping the edge nightclub generate new business too? and what about the shop opposite, the council need to help these businesses too. They have relied solely on the business of the call centre staff and it's liberal approach to sexuality and physique.

Not Meaning To Offend anyone that have recently been told theyre to lose their jobs But Think Southampton City Council Should Look To Be Helping theyre own Employees That Are Due To Lose Their jobs Because of "MAJOR CUTBACKS" Sadly My Dad Being One Of These People!

Yeah but the British Gas employees have got used to not standing around drinking tea all day and dragging out a 1 day job into 2 days, like most council employees! I know who I would rather employ!!!!!

lisa whitemore wrote:

chunky_lover wrote:
will the council be helping the edge nightclub generate new business too? and what about the shop opposite, the council need to help these businesses too. They have relied solely on the business of the call centre staff and it's liberal approach to sexuality and physique.

Not Meaning To Offend anyone that have recently been told theyre to lose their jobs But Think Southampton City Council Should Look To Be Helping theyre own Employees That Are Due To Lose Their jobs Because of "MAJOR CUTBACKS" Sadly My Dad Being One Of These People!

Lisa there is only 50 redundancies of permanent staff & these can apply for vacancies in other departments if they have the skill set.
A street cleaner could have applied for the refuse vacancies did he?
office workers or carers can use their skills in the private sector or so they've been telling us.
British Gas are losing 450 permanent staff, 50-450 which one would you say was a MAJOR JOB loss?
these people have the skill of answering phones & talking to the public & some companies have just said they were looking for such people.
does your dad want to sit talking to irate people all day?
if your dad has done this then says a lot about him if your genuinely concerned & are writing then ask him if he wants a call centre job?
If he does get him to apply to Capita if he doesn't I know that most companies try to find alternative employment for their employees.
This is a case where a contract firm to the council are looking for people exactly like these so the taskforce are trying to put them together I really can't see why the left have a problem with that?

and so capita have vacancies now and bg staff are not getting made redundant until end of the year ............. 8 month wait for the long timers who will stay to ensure they get redundancy pay outs which they deserve

isnt this just a pre election gimmick they could do this for all unemployed people in southampton just because it has had high profile publicity they are looking to help 150 of thousands unemployed in southampton

thankfully not a PO postcode wrote:
and so capita have vacancies now and bg staff are not getting made redundant until end of the year ............. 8 month wait for the long timers who will stay to ensure they get redundancy pay outs which they deserve

The issue with that is we are going to miss out on the jobs available to us. And in answer to the points above, BG are paying for a lot of things, the council are only generating interest from other companies, BG are doing this also.

TEBOURBA wrote:
My sympathies are with the British gas employees who are losing their jobs and wish them the best of luck in finding new ones.
My only question is why Southampton City Council, presumably funded by tax payers' money, are spending public money in helping the displaced employees of a private enterprise company, privatised by Margaret Thatcher to find work?
Surely British Gas should pay such schemes out of their own vast profits?
I consider this to be a serious issue and will inform both Denham and Whitehead of my concerns, asking if they support this use of public money --- British Gas shareholders, (mainly now big financial instituitions ) must be laughing all the way to the bank!!

I work for BG and they are actually funding the task force!! Its so funny seeing people post on here with stuff based on pure fiction!

benkirk78 wrote:

Goldenwight wrote: Would the Council's resources not be better employed doing something else, rather than assist people who appear to be capable of working and finding jobs new employment? Anything else sounds good, but how about helping the long term unemployed (those who genuinely want to work) find employment?

The majority of longterm unemployed dont want to find employment! Thats why they are long term unemployed... I think its better to support these guys who have proven records of willful employment and want to work hard for a living rather than trying to find the few genuine cases from the many who have been sat on their ar$e for the last few years.

Yes, quite possibly. However, my post is quite specific in the statement "those who genuinely want to find work."

and people that are working now will geniunely want to find work

Huffter wrote:

allmove4ward2geva wrote:

Goldenwight wrote: Would the Council's resources not be better employed doing something else, rather than assist people who appear to be capable of working and finding jobs new employment? Anything else sounds good, but how about helping the long term unemployed (those who genuinely want to work) find employment?

Those genuinely want to work' what your implying is that the staff at british gas, who have been working, dont want to work??? Goldenwight, those that are currently unemployed can get the same help at the job centre but choose not too

When was the last time you tried getting help at a Jobcentre?

Good point Huffter - Out of the three permanent and six contract roles I've had since leaving university, how many of these were obtained through the Job Centre?

That's right, 0

Classic case came just before Christmas, after accepting a job offer in Edinburgh, I asked the Job Centre if they could help me out with relocation costs (a loan would have sufficed) and I was told that because I hadn't been out of work for six months or more then I could take a long walk off a short pier. And this was after they paid for the train ticket (a day return I might add) for my interview.

Luckily when I explained the situation to the company whom I now work for, they were more than happy to help.

allmove4ward2geva wrote:

thankfully not a PO postcode wrote:
and so capita have vacancies now and bg staff are not getting made redundant until end of the year ............. 8 month wait for the long timers who will stay to ensure they get redundancy pay outs which they deserve

The issue with that is we are going to miss out on the jobs available to us. And in answer to the points above, BG are paying for a lot of things, the council are only generating interest from other companies, BG are doing this also.

Surely the thing the Union or the taskforce should be doing is if you find work your allowed to take early redundancy.
Unless you were in a skilled job BAT would let you go early if you found alternate employment has BG been asked if they would do this?

Rjhsoton wrote:
isnt this just a pre election gimmick they could do this for all unemployed people in southampton just because it has had high profile publicity they are looking to help 150 of thousands unemployed in southampton

So the numerous Job Fairs were just an election gimmick were they?
The council has been actively helping the unemployed find work through the job fairs they can't help people who can't even be bothered to go to them can they?
As another poster has said BG are paying for the taskforce so no cost to us.
the council have close contacts with companies that need these peoples skills so are getting involved with trying to put the two together.
Has anyone asked BG if they can take redundancy if they find other employment either through the taskforce or by themselves?
It doesn't hurt to ask does it?
Oh! by the way the unions are bringing in members to leaflet for the Labour party is that the right thing to do? what if your a union member & a Tory can you stop this?
This council have done as much as possible to make the impact from the cuts as little as possible but wait & see if Labour get in the true extent of their job cuts after the first year

loosehead wrote:

allmove4ward2geva wrote:

thankfully not a PO postcode wrote: and so capita have vacancies now and bg staff are not getting made redundant until end of the year ............. 8 month wait for the long timers who will stay to ensure they get redundancy pay outs which they deserve

The issue with that is we are going to miss out on the jobs available to us. And in answer to the points above, BG are paying for a lot of things, the council are only generating interest from other companies, BG are doing this also.

Surely the thing the Union or the taskforce should be doing is if you find work your allowed to take early redundancy. Unless you were in a skilled job BAT would let you go early if you found alternate employment has BG been asked if they would do this?

Not yet as we are in the consultation process, although we know its going to close its not confirmed, if we leave now we miss out, this continues until 23.07.2012