Mushrooms and slaves linked in farm protest

Article Abstract:

Ex-farm workers of Middlebrook Mushrooms, near Whitley Bridge, Yorkshire, England, owned by the Booker group, who were sacked after refusing a pay cut and poorer conditions, plan a demonstration at the autumn 1993 Booker Prize for literature ceremony. The mushroom pickers will wear slave outfits to demonstrate Booker's involvement in the slave trade in the 1790s. The 80 women were offered reduced hourly rates on Sundays from 7.48 pounds sterling to 4.68 pounds sterling, because the introduction of Sunday trading required more mushrooms to be picked.

Demonstrations and protests, Vegetable industry, Employee dismissals, Employment terminations, Employment at will, Booker Prize, Middlebrook Mushrooms, Booker McConnell PLC

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Phone factories - Britain's new boom industry

Article Abstract:

It is estimated that there are now around 200,000 people employed in 7,000 call centres across the UK, representing 1.1% of the country's workforce. This could rise to 2.2% by 2001. Those employed in call centres work in a highly regulated environment in which all their work is closely monitored. Their performance is regularly reviewed, and they are expected to take a break of no more than 10 seconds between calls. However, some observers emphasize that many younger people seem to enjoy working in this pressured environment.

Services industry, Service industries

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Revolution? What revolution?

Article Abstract:

Gillian Shephard, the Secretary of State for Employment, finds that recruitment difficulties are arising because of the lack of skilled labour. Companies are not keen to train school-leavers yet 55,000 young people are unable to find a suitable Youth Training scheme place. Training and Enterprise Councils (TECs) are failing. A Labour Force Survey published in spring 1992 shows that 75% more adults are in job related training than in spring 1984, but the correct figure is 15%.

Social aspects, United Kingdom, Economic aspects, Statistics, Unemployment, Occupational training, Youth Training Scheme, Training and Enterprise Councils

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