QUIZMAS andnew year

SPECIAL

H A R D

C O P Y

EDITORIAL Well, the Christian Festive season is almost upon us, very almost. Pressing matters (packing up the office for two attempts at carpet replacement and unpacking) have delayed this issue of the Hard Copy a little, forcing the title to change from “Quizmas Special” (do you see what we did there with the title? QUIZmas…CHRISTmas…it almost rhymes) to Quizmas and New Year Special. Hopefully you will enjoy doing the quizzes in this issue; there are a good few of them with plenty of prizes on offer. I guess all that is left is to wish you all good health and festive cheer. Don’t get “too” drunk or over-eat, you know it’s not sensible (but it would be wrong not to if that’s what you like). Have a good one. Lee WD.

Chris Wade’s Real Rap Quiz - the results Stop, collaborate and listen the Wadesters back with the answers to my questions. Answer 1 Eminem’s real name is Marshall Mathers Answer 2 Ghost face is the name used for white rappers like me. Answer 3 “You can’t touch this” was a hit for which MC Hammer Answer 4 “It's like a jungle sometimes It makes me wonder how I keep from goin' under”. Are lyrics by Grand Master Flash Answer 5 The Sugarhill gang sang Rapper’s Delight Answer 6 Even the Wadester gets his lyrics wrong sometimes but Eminem was also Slim Shady And the winner is Roy Griffiths of Norcross who receives a mystery prize similar to, if not the same as a box of chocolates. I’m too cold, too cold! The Wadester rapper

Jacqui’s Animals Quiz I love animals and I have had loads of pets. Dogs, cats, rabbits, rats all sorts. So here are the cuddly and furry questions. Question 1 What is missing from a Manx cat? Is it a; a) Meow b) Grin c) Nails d) Veil e) Tail Question 2 What was the name of Roland Rats friend who was a gerbil? Was it: a) Kenny b) Reginald c) Kevin d) Neil e) Mick Question 3 According to the Blackpool Evening Gazette what type of animal was the “Norcross One”? Was it? a) Cat b) Rabbit c) Dog d) Pigeon e) Horse Question 4 Which Continent do Budgerigars originate from. Is it? a) Australia b) Antarctica c) North America d) Asia e) European Question 5 In Alice in Wonderland what type of rabbit did Alice follow down the hole? Was it: a) Brown b) Black c) Dutch d) Dwarf e) White Question 6 What is a witch’s cat called? Is it? a) Similar b) Family c) Friendly d) Familiar e) Unknown Please send your answers together with your name and details to Jacqui “I have taken in and looked after a few strays in my time, I’ll have you know” Dunkerley to arrive no later than the 18th of January 2008. The winner will receive a mystery prize. Please remember that only members of the Fylde Central Benefits and Services Branch, excluding Branch Executive Committee can enter the quiz. I’m going home to feed my cat Jaffa (pictured above).

Jacqui

The Origin of Christmas Pudding Christmas (or Plum) Pudding is the traditional end to the British Christmas dinner. However, what we know as Christmas pudding now is a far cry from the original pudding. Christmas pudding can be traced back to the 14th century when porridge like mixture, called ‘frumenty’ was made of beef and mutton with raisins, currants, prunes, wines and spices. This would often be more like soup and was eaten as a fasting meal in preparation for the Christmas festivities.

Towards the end of the 1500’s, frumenty had become more like a plum pudding. It had been thickened with eggs, breadcrumbs, and dried fruit and given more flavour with the addition of beer and spirits. By the mid 1600’s it had become the traditional pudding to end a Christmas meal, but in 1664 the Puritans banned it. They thought it was a ‘lewd tradition’ as the ingredients were far too rich for God-fearing people. King George I had apparently tasted and enjoyed Plum Pudding and re-instated it as part of a traditional Christmas meal in 1714. By Victorian times, Christmas Puddings had changed into something similar to the ones that are eaten today. There are many superstitions surrounding the Christmas pudding. Some say that it should have thirteen ingredients, representing Jesus and his Disciples. In other households, everyone takes a turn to stir the pudding mixture with a wooden spoon. You should stir in an East to West direction. This custom honours the three wise men who came from the east. Although traditionally we eat our pudding at Christmas, the sprig of holly placed on top of the pudding is said to represent Jesus’ Crown of Thorns that he wore at his crucifixion. Obviously this custom is more in keeping with Easter. Also the spectacle of flaming alcohol on a pudding is said to represent Jesus’ love and power In the middle Ages, holly was also thought to bring good luck and to have healing powers. It was often planted near houses in the belief that it protected the inhabitants. Putting a silver coin in the pudding is another age-old custom that is said to bring luck to the person that finds it. Christmas Pudding Recipe 1 lb sultanas 1 lb raisins 1 lb currants ½ lb glace cherries ¼ lb mixed peel ¼ lb flaked almonds ¼ lb chopped walnuts 1tsp cinnamon 1tsp ground ginger ½ tsp ground cloves ½ tsp ground nutmeg 1 lb Demerara sugar 1 lb breadcrumbs 1lb suet 5 Eggs 4oz brandy ½ pint Guinness Mix all dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Add liquid and stir thoroughly. Leave to stand over night. Transfer into well grease pudding basins and cover with greaseproof paper and tie around bowl. Then cover with tin foil. Steam puddings for two hours. Cool and allow to mature for at least one month before Christmas.

Bully for you It was “Super smashing great” when I re-appeared with my game show quiz. Unfortunately I mistook an Editor for a contestant in the quiz and showed them what they could have won. A speedboat. Great smashing super. Lee looks under whelmed. Don’t know why he has leaves coming out of his ears though. Must be the time of year. Some form of Christmas outfit! Super, smashing great.

Charles

WADE SAYS

Mick and Grant’s Kings of Comedy Quiz II Back due to a lack of popular demand, its Mick and Grant’s King of comedy quiz II. We all like a good laugh after all. This time we are not as funny as Laurel and Hardy but probably better than Eric and Ernie. (editors note: “or Bert and Ernie”). So here are the laugh a minute questions. Question 1 Little “Ern” was famous for having what? Was it;

a) Short fat hairy legs b) A big fat nose c) Large feet d) A certain smile e) A good singing voice

Question 2 What was Eric Morecambe’s real name. Was it:

a) John Eric Jones b) John Eric Idle c) John Eric Wiseman d) John Eric Henry e) John Eric Bartholomew

Question 3 What sort of “touch” was Eric and Ernie’s film? Was it?

a) Too much b) Riviera c) Classy d) Friendly e) Velvet

Question 4 Which of the following plays is a tribute to Eric and Ernie. Was it?

a) Not now Arthur b) A song that I sung c) Bring me sunshine d) The play what I wrote e) Whey hey hey

Question 5 Where was Eric Morecambe’s last performance? Was it:

a) Stan Stennet’s Playhouse Tewksbury b) Stan Stennet’s Playhouse Oldham c) Stan Stennet’s Playhouse Stoke on Trent d) Stan Stennet’s Playhouse Newcastle e) Stan Stennet’s Playhouse Manchester

Question 6 What was “not now Arthur”’s real name? Was it?

a) Tolkein b) Toadfish c) Tolcher d) Torchwood e) Thompson

Please send your answers together with your name and details to Jacqui “ I thought that Eric Morecambe was hilarious, “I thank you” was his best saying, I’ll have you know” Dunkerley to arrive no later than the 18th of January 2008. The winner will receive a mystery prize. Please remember that only members of the Fylde Central Office, excluding Branch Executive Committee can enter the quiz. What do you think of the Hard copy so far. Rubbish! Mick and Grant

The Turkey. In about 1530, a new dish began to be put on English tables, a fowl a little larger than the traditional goose, but with a lot more meat and a refreshingly new taste. This bird had been brought to England by merchants trading out of that area of the eastern Mediterranean called the Levant but whom the English called “Turkey merchants” because that whole area was then part of the Turkish empire. The new bird was therefore called a “Turkey bird”, or “Turkey cock”. Within a few years it had become a favourite and familiar domestic fowl, to the extent that, sixty years later, Shakespeare knew his groundlings would understand the reference to the turkey’s aggression display of blowing out its breast and strutting when he described the posturings of Malvolio in Twelfth Night:

Dodgy child’s drawing of a turkey.

The interesting thing about the mistake over the turkey’s origins is that the English were the only people to believe they came from Turkey; nearly everyone else, including the Turks, thought they originated in India, or at least in the place they then thought was India. Turkeys actually came from Mexico and were first brought back from there about 1520, at a time when that area was called The Spanish Indies or the New Indies, illustrating the confusion in people’s minds about the true location of this new land that Columbus had found. As a result, a lot of European languages, as well as others like Arabic and Hebrew, called it something like the “bird of India” (for example, indianischer Hahn in old German). Turkey Terms Caruncle - brightly colored growths on the throat region. Turns bright red when the turkey is upset or during courtship. Gizzard - a part of a bird's stomach that contains tiny stones. It helps them grind up food for digestion. Hen - a female turkey. Poult - a baby turkey. A chick. Snood - the flap of skin that hangs over the turkey's beak. Turns bright red when the turkey is upset or during courtship. Tom - a male turkey. Also known as a gobbler. Wattle - the flap of skin under the turkey's chin. Turns bright red when the turkey is upset or during courtship. Scientific genus and species: Meleagris gallopavo

View from the Front Line (well the Front Gate at least) Day One The DWP Group, following the successful ballot for action against the imposed 2007/08/09 DWP pay offer called for action on 6th and 7th December, to be followed by an overtime ban for 2 weeks. The Branch had desk dropped every area of the Branch and had managed to secure media coverage before the days to ensure that members knew that there was action, that the members had voted for the action and that it was to do with the members pay ie a 2 per cent pay rise in 2007, a zero per cent pay rise in 2008 and a one per cent pay rise in 2009. This amounts to a 10 per cent pay cut in real terms over the three years. It was time for people to show what they thought of the employers’ pay offer. To show depth of feeling we arranged for all the sites covered in the DWP part of the Branch to be covered by pickets, and arranged for materials to be handed out on the gates, both in terms of those in the DWP who had decided that they were not going to support their union (obviously they thought that a 10 per cent pay cut in real terms was an offer that they were prepared to accept), and those who although worked on site, but were not in the DWP (eg MOD, EDS, Haden etc staff). We also had the usual plethora of picket materials, placards, arm bands etc. At 6.30 am I arrived at the Norcross main gates only for the heavens to open and down came a flood of biblical proportions. Everything got wet. Really wet. The wind then decided to add to the misery and blew somewhat. Paul King had joined me as part of the ‘select’ group picketing. Paul was fortunate to have a larger umbrella than I had. But was unfortunate in that the stem of his brolly was carbon fibre and snapped in two places, whereas mine was metal, so merely buckled badly. Jacqui Dunkerley arrived to deliver fresh, dry materials, so using forethought and planning, I placed in my car for day two. I briefly popped up to Robinson House Gate to see Lee Wallace-Dand, who was involved in an even more ‘select’ picket (on his own). I indicated to Lee that I was a touch wet. He noticed this by the way that my trousers were falling down due to the belt no longer could take the weight of my jeans. He enquired if I had any waterproofs. To which I responded that my skin appeared to be still holding back the water. Lee indicated that his boots were allegedly waterproof, but in fact were not as he was standing in two sponges, that were once socks. I waddled my way back to the main gate to see Paul. After the conclusion of the post school drop off rush, we called it a day and I went to see Martin Jones and Charles Hancock, who were the remaining diehards at Whitecarr Lane.

They pointed out that the placards which had “DWP Pay Dispute” waterproof posters stapled over the top of some older campaign posters had given up the ghost due to being saturated and now said “Stop the cuts” which was the original campaign that the placards referred to. I highlighted that the “plaque” part of the ‘placards’ had fallen off, leaving me with some “ards”. Day Two On my own, freezing but better than the wet, set up at 6.30am and the Fylde Coast squall decided to blow in and drench me. Cold and wet. I spent three hours repeating ‘DWP Pay Dispute’, at cars that in the main drove past. Only one vulgar gesture from a “very pleasant” driver. Some people stopped and at least took a dry leaflet. Most who stopped seemed to be from MOD, and said that they supported the DWP action, but due to legal reasons could not take action. Lee popped down from Robinson House Gate entrance to confirm how soul destroying standing on your own was, I did not need to confirm or refute this statement. After 3 hours on my own I went round to White Carr to see Martin and Charles, who asked if it was the ‘wrong type of snow’ today. I explained, pleasantly, that standing on your own for 3 hours with cars whizzing left and right side of you was long enough for me, and I am a “bitter ender” as opposed to a “hander upper”. I can only hope that in future disputes that more people consider joining the dispute and joining the picket lines, even if only for a short time to show their support for the activists who are leading the dispute locally. Duncan Griffiths

Children’s Quiz Flobber lobbery little weed. Ooohhh flobber obber weed. Weeeed. Yes it’s a quiz about Kids TV and there are some questions about the classic era of TV. So we’re going to take you back, back, way back to your childhood! Question 1 In Pipkins what type of animal was Octavia? Was it:

f) Pig g) Monkey h) Hare i) Cat j) Ostrich

Question 2 Who did the Clangers used to visit to get their soup? Was it the soup:

f) Dragon g) Baron h) Kitchen i) Chicken j) Clanger

Question 3 In Bagpuss what type of organ did they have. Was it?

f) Mouth g) Fairground h) Mouse i) Church j) Electric

Question 4 Who was with the Wheelies. Was it?

f) Charlton g) Carlton h) Charlie i) Chorley j) Chorlton

Question 5 Who were the archenemies of the banana splits. Was it:

f) The rotten apples g) The grape fruits h) The bitter lemons i) The sour grapes

Bill and Ben j) The blood oranges

Question 6 In the herbs what type of animal was Dill. Was it:

f) Lion g) Cat h) Owl i) Dog j) Rabbit

Bagpuss Please send your answers together with your name and details to Jacqui “I am far too young to remember any of these old TV programmes, I’ll have you know” Dunkerley to arrive no later than the 18th of January 2008. The winner will receive a mystery prize. Please remember that only members of the Fylde Central Benefits and Services Branch, excluding Branch Executive Committee can enter the quiz. Flobber lobber weed! Lee and Duncan (Editors note: I don’t remember Pipkin or the Herbs – Lee)

Things to do with Christmas Why the 25th? It is not really known why Christmas day is celebrated on 25th December, but there are possibly a mixture of reasons. Both the Winter Solstice and the Saturnalia (a pagan midwinter festival from Roman times) were celebrated in December. The shortest day of the year is between 22nd December and the 25th December. This is when the Winter Solstice is celebrated. It meant that the winter was over and that spring was on its way. The pagans worshipped the sun for triumphing over the darkness of the winter months. The early Christians believed that as Jesus was the light, this was the right time of year to celebrate his birth. We have brought many customs from the Winter Solstice to our Christmas celebrations. Things such as Christmas Carols, holly and mistletoe were all part of pagan festivals, but now all have Christian meanings. The first celebrations of Christmas day were in the 4th century. The festival of Saturnalia was celebrated around the 25th December, and the Roman Emperor Constantine decided to take this as Christmas day. Different religions celebrate at different times because they do not use the same calendar. The countries that follow the Orthodox Church calendar celebrate on the 7th January.

The name Christmas comes from the Mass of Christ. This mass was the only mass allowed to take place after sunset and was so performed at midnight. It was called the Christ-Mass, later shortened to Christmas.. Father Christmas (or the old man with the sack) 'Father Christmas' (or 'Santa Claus') has become the human face of Christmas.

Who was he? Father Christmas is based on a real person, St. Nicholas, which explains his other name 'Santa Claus' which comes from the Dutch 'Sinterklaas'. Nicholas was a Christian leader from Myra (in modern-day Turkey) in the 4th century AD.

The Christmas Tree

It is thought that the first person to bring a Christmas Tree into a house may have been the 16th century German preacher Martin Luther. There is a story that on Christmas Eve, he was walking through a forest and looked up to see the stars shining through branches of a tree. He thought it was so beautiful that he went home and told his children that it reminded him of Jesus, who left the stars of heaven to come to earth at Christmas. They went out and fetched a small tree into the house.

The first Christmas Tree came to England in 1841, when Queen Victoria and her beloved Prince Albert had the first Christmas Tree in Windsor Castle. An engraving of the tree with the royal family appeared in the newspapers of the time. Hence the English tradition of decorating a tree indoors started. In Victorian times, the tree would have been decorated with candles to represent stars. Due to the danger of fire, an American telephonist named Ralph Morris, felt driven to find an alternative. In 1895 he invented electric Christmas lights, similar to the ones we use today. Artificial Christmas Trees Towards the end of the 1800's, another variation of the traditional Christmas tree appeared: the artificial Christmas tree. Artificial trees originated in Germany. Metal wire trees were covered with goose, turkey, ostrich or swan feathers. The feathers were often died green to imitate pine needles. Christmas Tinsel Around 1610, tinsel was first invented in Germany made from genuine silver. Machines were invented that shredded silver into thin tinsel-sized strips. Silver tinsel tarnishes and loses its shine with time, eventually, artificial replacements were invented. The original inventor of tinsel remains unknown. Christmas cards The custom of sending Christmas cards started in Britain in 1840 when the first 'Penny Post' public postal deliveries began. (Helped by the new railway system, the

public postal service was the 19th century's communication revolution, just as email is for us today.)

As printing methods improved, Christmas cards were produced in large numbers from about 1860. They became even more popular in Britain when a card could be posted in an unsealed envelope for one half-penny - half the price of an ordinary letter. Traditionally, Christmas cards showed religious pictures - Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus, or other parts of the Christmas story. Today, pictures are often jokes, winter pictures, Father Christmas, or romantic scenes of life in past times. Boxing Day Only a few countries celebrate Boxing Day, which takes place on 26th December. It started in the UK about 800 years ago in the middle Ages. On this day, Alms boxes were opened and the money distributed to the poor of the community. Some churches still have

Alms boxes and still uphold the tradition of opening them on Boxing Day. It is thought to have been the Romans who first introduced this type of collecting box to the UK. They, in fact, did not distribute the contents to the needy, but used it to gamble on the games they played during their winter celebrations. In Holland some of the collection boxes were made out of a rough pottery called ‘earthenware’ and were shaped like pigs. This may well be where we get the term ‘piggy bank’ from The 26th December is also St. Stephen’s Day. Just to confuse things, there are two St. Stephen’s in history! The first St. Stephen was a very early follower of Jesus and was the first Christian Martyr. Jews who didn’t believe in Jesus stoned him to death. The second St. Stephen was a Missionary, in Sweden, in the 800’s. He loved all animals but particularly horses. He was also a martyr and was killed by pagans in Sweden. In Germany there was a tradition that horses would be ridden around the inside of the church during the St. Stephen’s Day service! The Corkscrew Champagne and corkscrews are two inventions no New Year's Eve could do without. Did you know that corkscrew inventors were inspired by a tool called the bulletscrew or gun worm, a device that extracted stuck bullets from rifles?

The Christmas Carol What does the word carol mean? The word carol comes from the ancient Greek choros, which means "dancing in a circle," and from the Old French word carole, meaning "a song to accompany dancing." Christmas carols were banned between 1647 and 1660 in England by Oliver Cromwell who thought that Christmas should be a solemn day.

The Story of the Silent Night Carol. The first instrument on which the carol "Silent Night" was played was a guitar. The carol Silent Night was written in 1818, by an Austrian priest Joseph Mohr. He was told the day before Christmas that the church organ was broken and would not be prepared in time for Christmas Eve. He was saddened by this and could not think of Christmas without music, so he wanted to write a carol that could be sung by choir to guitar music. He sat down and wrote three stanzas. Later that night the people in the little Austrian Church sang "Stille Nacht" for the first time.

Good King Wenceslas The Carol, Good King Wenceslas, is set on Boxing Day, or ‘The Feast of Stephen’ and is about a King in the Middle Ages who brings food to a poor family. It was also traditional that servants got the day off to celebrate Christmas with their families on Boxing Day. Before the Second World War, it was common for milkmen, dustmen, and paperboys etc. to travel their round collecting Christmas tips. This tradition seems to have died out and people offer any Christmas boxes prior to Christmas itself. Boxing Day has now become another public holiday in countries such as the UK, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. It is also the traditional day that Pantomimes started to play. There are also often sports played on Boxing Day in the UK, especially horse racing and football matches!

Jacqui’s Riddler A riddle. I like a riddle for Christmas. So Riddle me this or ridlle me that, what is the name of my ginger stripy cat? Is it: a) Jaffa B) Satsuma C) Tangerine D) Nectarine E) Mango Please send your answers together with your name and details to Jacqui “I think that there are many puzzling riddles in life, I’ll have you know” Dunkerley Room 7233 Norcross to arrive no later than the 18th of January 2008. The winner will receive a mystery prize. Please remember that only members of the Fylde Central Benefits and Services Branch, excluding Branch Executive Committee can enter the quiz. I wonder what the name of the cat is? I will have to ask her. Jacqui

ANTI-RACIST AND ANTI-FASCIST CAMPAIGNING SUPPORT NEEDED The following details have been supplied by PCS HQ: Background This article gives details of the campaign to remove certain pages from Facebook that promote the activities of the BNP. Please support this campaign. UAF Petition to Close Facebook: Action Needed 'Facebook' is a social networking website. Campaign group Unite Against Fascism (UAF) has launched a campaign for the removal of the BNP pages from 'Facebook'. Unite Against Fascism has exposed how the fascist BNP's group via Facebook is spreading its message of hate. UAF's investigation has uncovered images of Ku Klux Klan members posing with a sword under the caption: "Local BNP meeting, Blacks welcome". The BNP also calls on people to join to "help them fight evil and win the war of cleansing Britain" and includes a comment on its message-board stating "If it aint white it aint right"(sic). The petition is being well supported with thousands of people calling for Facebook to ban the BNP group. The petition supporting the removal of BNP postings from Facebook has been signed by MPs including: former Home Office minister Fiona Mactaggart, Keith Vaz, Diane Abbott, Harry Cohen, George Galloway, Ian Gibson, Steven Pound, Alan Simpson and Claude Moraes MEP. PCS is affiliated to Unite Against Fascism and supports UAF through the PCS Against Fascism Campaign. PCS members are

urged to log on to the UAF website and sign a copy of the UAF petition. The link is: www.uaf.org.uk. Petition - Get Fascist BNP off Facebook!

Sign up to the petition to remove the Fascist BNP's pages and groups from the Facebook site. We welcome the moves by Vodafone and First Direct to remove their adverts from the site.

And its Festive Greetings from him Well can you believe it! Another year another Branch. On 5th October 2007 there was the Inaugural General meeting of the Fylde Central Benefits and Services Branch, which merged the former Fylde Central Office Branch with the CSA Branch at Lytham. I have only just got used to saying Fylde Central Office Branch. Oh well all change is good. Anyway as the Branch Secretary of the old Branch and Branch Secretary of the new Branch its Happy Christmas from me and Festive Greetings from me. See you all in the New Year all being well. Duncan Griffiths Branch Secretary

Talks start on lean working Long-running industrial action by civil service union PCS over the deskilling of work in HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is being suspended following the department's agreement to hold what the union termed 'meaningful talks.' PCS says industrial action being taken by members in processing offices in the dispute over new 'Lean' working systems will be suspended from 28 August up to 19 September. The dispute, which has been running for over a year, was prompted by staff concerns that the lean management systems had led to a culture of corporate bullying, deskilling and in some cases a risk of repetitive strain injury. The union said the approach was turning staff into 'robots'. A PCS statement on the latest developments notes: 'No agreement is going to mean the end of Lean, but a sufficiently robust agreement will allow us to tame it and ensure that PCS members currently in dispute are no longer disadvantaged.' It adds: 'Solid support for action from members and branches over the last 12 months has been instrumental in allowing us to return with confidence to the negotiating table. If it is necessary to recommence action, we will do so with renewed resolve and determination, significantly stepping up activities and publicity, and seeking to raise again the key issues with ministers and decision makers.' PCS concerns include individual monitoring, annual leave restrictions and problems obtaining regular display screen equipment breaks. The union wants an independent

TUC wants a crackdown on rogue agencies Rogue employment agencies are ignoring safety, minimum wage and employment laws without much fear of getting caught, the TUC has warned. It is calling on the government to look at new ways of finally bringing rogue employment agencies to task. Commenting as TUC made its submission to a Department for Business (BERR) consultation, TUC deputy general secretary Frances O'Grady said: 'Government needs to come down far harder on unscrupulous employers who are consistently flouting the law and underpaying their workers.' In its submission, TUC says it welcomes government proposals to strengthen the enforcement regime for Employment Agency Standards (EAS) inspectors. Measures put forward by the government include increasing the EAS powers of access and inspection to enable them to do their jobs more effectively and allowing for offences to be tried in the Crown Court rather than the Magistrates Courts. TUC says these measures are 'long overdue following a proliferation of rogue employment agencies in recent years.' It said exploitative practices the TUC has discovered include denying workers statutory annual leave and holiday pay, insisting that workers put in illegally long hours, ignoring health and safety law, arranging accommodation for migrant workers that is overcrowded or unfit for human habitation, making illegal deductions from pay, failing to ensure that employees' income tax and national insurance contributions are paid and charging migrant workers fees or bonds for their placements. The TUC response to the consultation says the problem is now so acute that employment agencies need to be licensed, the Employment Agencies Standards Inspectorate needs better resources and agency workers need better rights as well as better enforcement of existing rights. A TUC survey conducted in May 2007 found that few agency workers are aware of the EAS inspectorate's existence. 'Work while you're sick' is hurting firms Pressure to stagger into work when sick is hurting workers and damaging productivity, commitment levels and motivation, according to research from the Chartered Management Institute (CMI). Its 'Quality of Working Life' report reveals that 17 per cent of

managers believe their health is deteriorating and more than four in 10 (42 per cent) claim illness rates in their organisation have gone up over the last 12 months. But the study of 1,511 managers found 1 in 3 believe a culture of not taking time off work for sickness exists in their organisation. Only 53 per cent of employees feel they would be treated sympathetically if they were ill. The report reveals half (48 per cent) of those reporting symptoms relating to stomach bugs in the past year did not take sick leave and only 9 per cent suffering from stress took time off from work, despite 1 in 3 citing stress symptoms. Two-thirds of respondents (67 per cent) said their productivity was reduced by ill health. CMI corporate affairs director Jo Causon said: 'While many employers bemoan the cost of absence to their organisations, they fail to see the damage done by creating a culture where illness is seen as a weakness. The risk of mistakes or spreading sickness surely outweighs the short-term benefits of someone turning up for work when not fully fit.' What you don't know is killing us The government's 'work is good for you' push is missing one inconvenient truth - a combination of job insecurity, punitive sick leave policies, a failure to recognise the extent of the country's work-related health crisis and a lack of official health and safety enforcement means for many work is bad and getting worse. The claim, in the autumn edition of Hazards magazine, comes as workplace health czar Dame Carol Black's call for evidence on maintaining a healthy and productive workforce enters its final fortnight. The Hazards report says there is an increasing trend to address 'sickness absence' to get workers back to work, but this frequently does not include efforts to address sickness and its causes, including badly designed, inherently unhealthy jobs. It adds that cuts in the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) have seen a dramatic reduction in workplace inspections and have meant HSE's medical wing EMAS has 'virtually disappeared.' The report says: 'Sick workers face closer scrutiny, while unhealthy employers increasingly face no scrutiny at all.' It concludes: 'Without better access to occupational health services, rehabilitation support and better designed, safe and healthy jobs with real job security, work can be anything but good for you, especially if you are already injured or ill.' Speaking at an event in Sheffield last week as part of her call for evidence, Dame Carol Black said 'we know that those who are in or return to work are healthier, wealthier, and more confident than their unemployed counterparts. Healthy employees are also more productive and efficient,

which is good news for businesses looking to maintain their competitive edge. That's why we urgently need to identify how we can help people not only stay in or return to work, but also improve their health while they are there.' Official figures released this month revealed both workplace fatalities and work-related ill-health had increased markedly, up by at least 10 per cent. The TUC will be submitting a detailed response to the Carol Black review. TUC dismay at rise in workplace ill-health The TUC has expressed dismay at new official figures showing a dramatic rise in work-related ill-health. Commenting on statistics released this week by the Health and Safety Commission (HSC) which showed a 10 per cent upturn in health problems related to work, TUC general secretary Brendan Barber said the figures were 'very disappointing.' He said: '36 million days lost to ill-health at work is unacceptably high and this number has risen in the last year. This is bad news for everyone. Too many employers are getting off the hook because the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) does not have the tools to deal with the massive workplace health problems we face.' Mr Barber added: 'We share the HSE's recognition that more needs to be done on enforcement and welcome the steps that have been taken. But the HSE cannot meet their targets for reducing occupational ill-health by 2010 without a significant increase in the resources available. Instead, the HSC has had its workforce reduced and faces further cuts of up to 5 per cent for the next three years as a result of the current spending review. These spending trends must be reversed. Otherwise, employers will continue to get away with playing fast and loose with their staff's heath.' Commenting on the statistics, which showed last year over 140,000 reported workplace accidents took place resulting in employees suffering injuries such as amputations, chemical burns and fractures, new HSE chair Judith Hackitt said: 'Never mind banning conkers or Christmas decorations look at these figures, this is what real health and safety is all about.' HSE chief executive Geoffrey Podger said: 'The statistics indicate that last year alone in Great Britain 2.2 million people suffered from work related illnesses and 241 people were killed at work. While workplace injuries have reduced, we lost 30 million working days due to ill-health.' Over the last two years, 2005/06 and 2006/07, HSE notices issued and prosecutions taken have been at the lowest levels for a decade, although the latest figures for both are slightly up on the preceding year. HSE said the new statistics suggested it was on track to meet its targets on fatal and major injury reductions, but was set to miss targets on work-related ill-health and on a

reduction in day's lost as a result of work-related illnesses and injuries. Deaths from the asbestos cancer mesothelioma hit a record 2037 cases in 2005, the most recent year for which statistics are available. Banish the office bullies says TUC The TUC is urging employers to protect their staff

s will

SH, said: 'Research indicates that

from victimisation and harassment. The TUC has produced a guide to help union safety reps work with employers to create a new workplace culture where bullying, intimidation and harassment is a thing of the past. The new guide cites research from the University of Manchester which suggests that 1 in 10 workers was bullied in the last six months, one in four has fallen victim in the last five years, and 47 per cent of employees have witnessed bullying at work. TUC says the worst workplaces are those where a culture has developed that condones bullying. TUC general secretary Brendan Barber said: 'People on the receiving end of cutting remarks or verbal outbursts from the workplace bully are the ones paying a heavy price for employers' failure to deal with the problem. The stress and anxiety felt by the victims can make them physically ill, lose all their self-confidence and mean that they dread coming into work.' He added that employers pay a price through sickness absence, low morale and damaged productivity. 'But bullying is not hard to tackle and employers who ignore the problem and fail to protect their staff are breaking the law,' Mr Barber said. 'Every workplace should have a policy which makes clear that intimidating behaviour towards colleaguenot be tolerated and that those who persist in undermining their fellow members of staff will be dealt with severely.' Lisa Fowlie, president of safety professionals' organisation IOvictims of bullying take seven extra days each year off work compared to those who are not bullied, contributing to the loss of 18 million working days nationally. That's a lot of unnecessary suffering for the victims, and a huge waste of resources for business.'

KING JONES MONEY QUIZ II

Many a subject, sorry member commented that the quiz on Pay was more fitting for the Newsletter rather than the frivolous ones on topics of music and comedy. So loyal readers, I bring you another quiz on Money. Money it’s a gas! Question 1 “Money” is on which of the following Pink Floyd albums ? Is it;

a) The Division Bell b) The Wall c) Wish you were here? d) Animals e) Dark side of the Moon

Question 2 Who is the current Chancellor of the Exchequer. Is it:

a) Alistair Darling b) Aleister Crowley c) Alistair Campbell d) Grace Darling e) Alistair Love

Question 3 According to the article in this newsletter which is the name of the company who are at the forefront of brining in a cashless system? (I never carry any money with me being Royalty). Is it?

a) Timex b) Spandex c) Mondex d) Myex e) Yourex

Question 4 Who is on the back of the present £20 note. Is it?

a) Arthur Askey (I thank you) b) Florence Nightingale c) William Shakespeare d) Adam Smith e) Friedrich August Von Hayek

Question 5 In what year was decimalisation (and it was all downhill from here, I had a personal campaign to oppose decimalisation. All change is bad!) Was it:

a) 1969 b) 1970 c) 1971 d) 1972 e) 1973

Question 6 What financial post does Mervyn King hold? Is it

a) Chief accountant for Northern Rock b) Governor of the Bank of England c) General Treasurer of PCS d) Chief Cashier at the Bank of England e) Darts player in the PDO

Please send your answers together with your name and contact details to Jacqui “I am very good with money, I am the Treasurer of the Branch after all, I’ll have you know” Dunkerley, Room 7233 Norcross to arrive no later than the 18th of January 2008. The winner will receive a £20 voucher. Please remember that only members of the Fylde Central Benefits and Services Branch, excluding Branch Executive Committee can enter the quiz. I’m off. Going for a sitting to have my portrait done for the next coinage of the realm! King Jones

The PCS DWP Group Executive Committee have provided the following information:

“PCS can now reveal that the Home Office have made a pay offer which they believe is better than the DWP offer. With the publication of the Home Office offer it is clear that there is no central government dictat on increases to the max as Home Office staff are being offered consolidated increases of up to 5% over the life of their 3 year deal compared to our 3%.

DWP pay offer is the worst civil service offer this year Whilst DWP management are making one of the worst pay offers in living memory, and citing the Treasury and government policy, other departments are using imaginative methods to ensure a better deal for their staff.

DWP could still improve the offer PCS has seen evidence that if the bonus pot was used in a fairer way all DWP staff could be guaranteed an inflation proof pay increase in year one, yet management propose to spend £36 million in 2007 on PDS linked bonuses, rewarding the highest paid grades by significantly more than the lower paid grades.

Even other Departments think the DWP offer is poor! It is unprecedented for one set of senior civil service managers to comment upon another department's offer. The Home Office pay offer letter appears to criticise the DWP offer by comparing their more favourable terms to the DWP offer.

The actual wording in the Home Office pay offer letter dated 20 August 2007 from the Head of Employee Relations and Pay in the Home Office to PCS National Officer, Paul O'Connor:

21.You and your national PCS colleagues will be aware that on 15 August 2007 the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) announced their pay offer to their staff. The DWP have offered a three year deal and their pay maxima for all staff are increasing by 3% over this period (2% in 2007, 0% in 2008 and 1% in 2009). In contrast over the same period of time (2007 to 2009) the Home Office pay offer provides for most staff on their Target Rate a consolidated increase 4% (for EO, IO, HEO and CIO staff on their Target Rate it is a consolidated increase of 5%)”.

The meaning of Christmas? The word "Christmas" is a contraction meaning "Christ’s Mass" It is derived from the Middle English Christemasse and Old English Cristes mæsse, a phrase first recorded in 1038. Dutch has a similar word, Kerstmis often shortened to Kerst. The words for the holiday in Spanish (navidad), Portugeese (natal), Polish (Boże Narodzenie), French (noël), Italian (natale), and Catalan (nadal) refer more explicitly to the Nativity. In contrast, the German name Weihnachten means simply "hallowed night." After the conversion of Anglo Saxon Britain in the very early 7th century, Christmas was referred to as geol, the name of the pre-Christian solstice festival from which the current English word 'Yule ' is derived. In early Greek versions of the New Testermant, the letter X (chi), is the first letter of Christ (Χριστός). Since the mid-sixteenth century Χ, or the similar Roman letter X, was used as an abbreviation for Christ.

In most places around the world, Christmas Day is celebrated on December 25th. It is preceded by Christmas Eve on December 24th, and in some countries is followed by Boxing Day on December 26th. The American Apostolic Church observes Christmas on January 6th, while certain old rite or old style Eastern Orthodox Churchs celebrate Christmas on January 7th, the date on the Gregorian calendar which corresponds to 25th December on the Julian Calendar. The date as a birthdate for Jesus is merely traditional, and is not widely considered to be his actual date of birth.

Christmas is an annual holiday that celebrates the birth of Jesus. Christmas festivities often combine the commemoration of Jesus birth with various customs, many of which have been influenced by earlier winter festivals. Traditions include the display of Navitity scenes, Holly and Christmas Trees, the exchange of gifts and cards, and the arrival of Father Christmas (Santa Claus) on Christmas Eve or Christmas morning. Popular Christmas themes include the promotion of goodwill, compassion and peace.

It is unknown exactly when or why December 25 became associated with Jesus' birth. The New Testament does not give a specific date. Sextus Julius Africanus popularized the idea that Jesus was born on December 25 in his Chronographiai, a reference book for Christians written in AD 221. This date is nine months after the traditional date of the Incarnation (March 25), now celebrated as the Feast of the Annunciation. Early Christians believed March 25th was also the date Jesus was crucified The Christian idea that Jesus was conceived on the same date that he died on the cross is consistent with a Jewish belief that a prophet lived an integral number of years.

Smoke clears for bar staff England's smoking ban has led to healthier workplaces in the hospitality industry, according to new research. In the first report into the impact of the English ban, which was introduced in July, scientists discovered firm evidence of its benefits. Researchers from Edinburgh and Aberdeen universities analysed the saliva of 39 non-smoking workers before and after the smoking ban came into force. The researchers found that non-smoking hospitality workers had four times less cotinine - a by-product of nicotine and indicator of tobacco smoke exposure - in their saliva in August than they had in June. The level of cotinine is taken as a good indication of how much cigarette smoke has entered the body. They calculated that on average, employees' exposure was the equivalent to smoking 190 cigarettes a year before the legislation, and this dropped to the equivalent of around 44 cigarettes after. The researchers assessed the air quality in almost 40 venues across the country - including pubs, bars and restaurants. They found that levels of 'small particles' in the air contained in cigarette smoke dropped from near hazardous levels in June to levels that are similar to the outside air in August. Prior to the legislation, 84 per cent of employees thought second hand smoke at work put their health at risk. One month on, just over half of employees believed their health was better

as a result of the law. The impact on businesses turned out to be better than business owners expected in June, when over half said the law would have a negative effect on their trade. When asked in August 70 per cent said the law had a positive or no impact on their trade. Your money or your life The government is giving a greater priority to enforcing financial regulations than ensuring the safety of UK workers, the union representing Health and Safety Executive (HSE) inspectors has warned. Responding to official HSE fatality statistics released last week, Prospect said it is unacceptable that the organisation responsible for enforcing health and safety law has been facing year-on-year real term cuts and dwindling staff numbers while the Financial Services Authority (FSA) has seen a rise in both funding and staff over the same period. The latest HSE figures showed a sharp increase in the number of people killed at work. Commenting as the figures were released, Prospect HSE branch chair Neil Hope-Collins said: 'The government needs to be clear about its priorities as workers in Britain will only get the protection that society and politicians are prepared to pay for. Do they want to protect your money or your life? Today's figures suggest that it's not your lives.' He warned that if HSE is forced to accept further proposed year-on-year cuts over the next three-year financial settlement the situation will only get worse. HSE's own

estimates suggest its total workforce will be no more than 2,600 full-time equivalents by 2011. 'Reducing resources to the HSE is a false economy and has impacted on today's fatal accident figures. It will continue to have an impact in the future unless these cuts are reversed,' said Hope-Collins. 'We believe that HSE has gone beyond the critical mass at which it is capable of performing the functions that the public and politicians expect of it.' HSE employed 4,162 full time equivalents in April 2003, but this had dropped to 3,548 by April 2007. It plans to reduce staffing to around 3,100 by April 2008. HSE has 300,000 duty holders and a budget for 2006/07 of £295m compared to FSA's 29,000 duty holders and a budget of £276m. How unhealthy are the nation's workers? The government has launched what it claims is the first ever review of the health of the working-age population. Dame Carol Black, the government's national director for health and work, launched the 'call for evidence' last week. The intention is to identify the action 'government, business and the medical profession should take to improve the health of working age people and help more people who develop health problems to remain in or quickly return to work.' At the launch, work secretary Peter Hain said: 'Last year 175m working days were lost to sickness absence, costing organisations

about £650 per employee. But the human cost is worse. Without the right support people can be relegated to a life on benefits as they fall out of the workplace and lose the confidence and skills to re-enter work. This, as well as increasing mental illness and the need for more and more people to work in to their older age, means that we urgently need to address how we improve people's health and support them to stay in or return to work. That is why we have asked Dame Carol to scrutinise this area and provide us with some answers.' Workplace health czar Dame Carol said: 'People that work are healthy, wealthier, and live longer than the unemployed. The benefits to the individual are clear; but employers also have much to gain.' She asked 'why don't more employers invest in this area? Do GPs provide the right advice to patients? What support should the government provide? And what are the true costs of ill health - to society, business, and individuals? I will be seeking answers to tough questions like these over the coming months.' Safety minister Lord McKenzie and Dame Carol, who together have fronted the government's 'work is good for you' drive, have been criticised for under-estimating the harm caused by bad jobs and the efforts necessary to make employers address them. The TUC said it supports efforts to help people back to work, but added the real gains are to be made through prevention. It called for increased resources for HSE and local authorities for inspection and enforcement

UK gripped by 'no compensation' culture The number of workplace personal injury claims is low and falling fast, new research for the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has found. The study by researchers from the University of Warwick's School of Law has undermined the popular view that UK citizens are engaging in a spiralling 'compensation culture' with ever increasing claims against allegedly negligent companies and organisations. The researchers investigated whether there had been an increase in claims for damages arising from occupational injury or ill-health related to breaches of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999. They found the number of legal actions was consistently falling in both the High Court and the County Courts. The researchers also looked at the data on the number of civil liability claims specifically arising from the introduction of Fire Precautions (Workplace) (Amendment) Regulations 2003 and found no evidence of an increase. They concluded that this was because workers already had available to them the right to bring actions in negligence as well as the right to bring actions for breach of statutory duty under other legislation, where there was no exclusion of civil liability. These conclusions were also supported by the observations of a wide range of legal practitioners, insurers, employers' associations and trade unions who participated in the Warwick research. The report confirms TUC's 2005 finding that compensation culture is 'a myth'

Mobile phones linked to brain cancer New research suggests mobile phone usage for more than a decade greatly increases the risk of cancer. The study found that long-term users - and the phones have become a required tool for many workers - had double the chance of getting a malignant tumour on the side of the brain where they held the handset. The researchers said the international standard employed to protect users from radiation emissions was not safe and needed updating. Professor Lennart Hardell of the University Hospital in Orebro and Professor Kjell Hansson Mild of Umea University, analysed the results of 11 studies carried out around the world. Their findings, published in the journal Occupational and Environmental Medicine, conclude those who have used their phones for at least a decade are 20 per cent more likely to contract acoustic neuromas and 30 per cent more likely to get malignant gliomas. The Health Protection Agency said the new study 'may be indicative' of a risk but that "such analyses cannot be conclusive.'

I was Metal Mick but I’ve been upgraded into a Poodle/ Lycra Rocker like many of the metal bands were in the early 80’s. No longer do I crank the amps but instead I fluff out my perm and pout at the camera.

Mick’s Poodle Rock Quiz

So here are the not so heavy questions…

Question 1 The Gods of Poodle Rock Bon Jovi had an album called “New” what? Was it; a) England b) Jersey c) Labour d) York e) Bad record Question 2

What did Van Halen want us to do? Was it: a) Ride a white swan b) Sing out load c) Boogie d) Dance e) Jump Question 3 Motley Crew sang about what? Was it? a) Girls, Girls, Girls b) Dads, Dads, Dads c) Boys, Boys, Boys d) Friends, Friends, Friends e) Kids, Kids, Kids Question 4 What did Heart want to get. Was it? a) A loan b) A load of money c) A long and winding road d) Aloud e) Alone Question 5 What type of medicine did Bon Jovi say they needed? Was it: a) Throat b) Their own c) Good d) Bad e) Bitter Question 6 According to Poison what did every rose have. Was it a) Thorn b) Sweet smell c) Green fly d) Petal e) Bud Please send your answers together with your name and details to Jacqui “I have seen Bon Jovi live many times and think their records are great, I’ll have you know” Dunkerley to arrive no later than the 18th of January 2008. The winner will receive a mystery prize. Please remember that only members of the Fylde Central Benefits and Services Branch, excluding Branch Executive Committee can enter the quiz.

Not so Metal Mick