Unite has called a strike among workers at the Wolverton Works site in Milton Keynes.
The trade union has announced that over 60 workers who primarily work at the site intend to strike in late July and early August, which Unite has said is in response to a dispute centred around how complaints and grievances are being handled by their employer Gemini Rail Services.
The strike called will run between 30th July and 3rd August, which is intended to affect work at a site that helps maintain rolling stock used on the UK national railway network.
In a statement announcing the strike, Unite said that the strike came from a dispute over back pay that has since escalated with issues in the interaction between the union and the company.
They said, “The workforce is currently involved in a longstanding grievance against their employer over owed back pay that has seen them potentially thousands of pounds out of pocket.
“Gemini is now refusing to allow workers to be represented by their Unite workplace rep as he is also attempting to raise his own grievance for loss of pay. This is a fundamental breach of the recognition agreement that Unite has with Gemini Rail Services, resulting in the workforce becoming further angered by management actions.”
In a statement shared by the union, Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said, “Gemini need to stop playing games and denying workers basic union rights. This absurd behaviour will only further damage industrial relations and does the company no favours.
“Unite will be fully supporting its members in all industrial action they take to make Gemini see sense.”
Gemini Rail Services have yet to publicly comment.
Police have released an image of a man who could have important information relating to a sexual assault in Milton Keynes.
The incident happened between 7.15pm and 7.25pm on the number seven bus from Downs Barn on Saturday, 8 June.
A man approached the victim, a woman aged in her thirties, and sexually assaulted her.
The man got off the bus around Great Linford.
Thames Valley Police have released an image of a man they wish to speak to as part of their appeal for more information into the incident.
Investigating officer, PC Alister Milne, based at Milton Keynes police station, said: “We are appealing for the man in this picture, or anyone who knows him, to come forward, as we think he could have important information about this incident.
“If you are this man, or if you know him, please contact us on 101, quoting reference number 43240271627.
“Alternatively, you can make a report online, or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”
Red Bull missed out on a podium at the Hungarian Grand Prix after a late collision that ended Max Verstappen’s hopes of challenging for a top 3 position.
The Dutchman had been in a fight with Lewis Hamilton when contact with seven laps to go briefly sent Verstappen airborne and while he did escape damage that required an extra pit-stop or to retire the car, Verstappen could only finish in 5th position.
Meanwhile, his team-mate Sergio Perez was able to gain places after crashing in qualifying, with the Mexican finishing in 7th position from 16th on the grid.
The results mean Red Bull maintain their lead in the championships but do see a slight reduction in both fields.
Verstappen remains in the lead of Driver’s Championship, with the reigning World Champion now on 265 points after 13 races. He holds a 76 point lead on second place Lando Norris.
Meanwhile, Perez has 124 points, though he drops behind Hamilton and is now 7th in the championship. He is one point behind Hamilton and 8 ahead of Hamilton’s Mercedes team-mate George Russell.
After a chaotic qualifying that featured two red flags and finished half an hour late, Verstappen had started behind the two McLarens on the front row.
At the start, the Dutchman immediately tried to challenge into turn one but was forced wide and came back on ahead of Norris on track.
A few laps later, however, Verstappen was forced to give track position back to Norris and when they swapped, the Dutchman was unable to match the McLaren’s lap times.
An early stop for Hamilton saw Verstappen undercut as he returned to the track behind the Mercedes, and after a multi-lap battle, he stayed there before the second round of pit stops.
Verstappen would then be further undercut by Charles Leclerc, which put him back out into 5th position.
The Dutchman would make his way past Leclerc but after getting involved in a fight with Hamilton, there would be a big moment on lap 63 when Verstappen tried to make a pass on Hamilton and the two made contact.
The impact briefly sent Verstappen airborne before he came back on track behind Leclerc. He was able to carry on without making a pit-stop, but the lack of pace meant he was unable to catch Leclerc or Hamilton ahead and had to settle for a fifth place finish.
Meanwhile, Perez had started 16th after crashing in qualifying, meaning he started at the back for the second race in a row after crashing in qualifying for the previous round in Silverstone two weeks ago.
The Mexican initially lost track position to Russell, who had also started further back due to a misjudgement in qualifying. As the race progressed, the two were filtered up the order, with the two starting on hard tyres and able to push longer into the race than others who made early stops.
Perez was able to pull an undercut on Russell and made necessary overtakes in order to help his way up the order, with seventh preserved when Russell made a later pit-stop. The Mercedes came close but was unable to pass.
Red Bull’s recent return means they have now won none of the last three races, which is the first time they have failed to win three straight races since 2021.
The team will look to avoid stretching that to four at the next round, which will see the F1 grid head to Spa for the Belgian Grand Prix next weekend in the last race before the summer break.
MK City Council have expanded availability for energy measures for more families in Milton Keynes on low-incomes.
The grants are intended to help those who could be eligible for free insulation, low carbon heating, solar panels and other energy efficiency measures.
The Department of Energy and Sustainable Net Zero (DESNZ) has now increased the household income threshold to £36,000, up from £31,000, to ensure that more families can benefit from this vital initiative.
The Home Upgrade Grant scheme is open to home-owners, private tenants and landlords. Eligible households must be situated in a pre-qualified postcode area (eligible postcodes can be found here) or have an household income of less than £36,000. The home must also be heated by alternative methods to gas, including electricity, oil, liquid propane gas, and solid fuels. Further details including how to apply can be found on the city council’s website
Homeowners will be guided through the application, helping them understand the scheme and its eligibility criteria. If eligible for free upgrades, an installer will identify which improvements for the home will provide the greatest benefits and arrange any necessary surveys and installations.
Cabinet Member for Economy, Sustainability and Innovation, Cllr Shanika Mahendran, said, “We’re pleased that the eligibility criteria for this scheme has been expanded. It means that even more families will be able to benefit from this initiative, helping them bring their energy bills down while protecting the environment at the same time. I strongly encourage anyone who thinks they might be eligible to apply as soon as possible.”
Crewe Alexandra have signed former MK Dons loanee Filip Marschall, with the goalkeeper joining the Railwaymen on a season-long loan from Aston Villa.
Marschall, 21, will join the Alex on a season-long loan from Villa Park, and is Crewe’s sixth signing ahead of the upcoming EFL season.
The goalkeeper spent the second half of last season on loan with MK Dons at Stadium MK, making seven appearances.
Marschall had previously played for Dons’ Head Coach Mike Williamson in two spells with Gateshead, but he had a more difficult spell in Milton Keynes.
The keeper spent time on the sidelines after an injury and initially struggled to dislodge Michael Kelly after returning from his injury.
His last game for the club came when he played in the Dons’ 5-1 defeat by Crawley in the second leg of the play-offs.
Marschall had been linked with a move to Crewe earlier in the window, with the Birmingham World news website claiming he had been training with the League Two side earlier in this pre-season.
