SDLP CONTINUES FIGHT FOR STREAM WORKERS

Pat Ramsey MLA - Back to Latest NewsSDLP Employment spokesperson and Foyle MLA PatRamsey has accompanied Stream workers to meet with the Minister ofEnterprise, Trade and Investment and the Employment and LearningMinister to discuss employee’s concerns over remuneration packages andjob losses.

Mr Ramsey said: “An SDLP delegation accompanied Stream Internationalemployees to meet the two Ministers at today’s meeting in Stormont tocontinue our support for Stream workers at this difficult time and toreinforce the importance of retaining the Stream workforce in Derry.
“We appealed to the Employment Minister to champion the cause of therights of workers to ensure they get the best deal possible in theirremuneration and redundancy packages.

“SDLP Leader and Foyle MP Mark Durkan has already contacted somepotential clients on behalf of the company so it can explore possiblecontracts in order to secure whatever jobs that can be saved.“The SDLP has also been pressing Invest NI to intervene and they haveidentified some emergency European funding to retain a number of corestaff for up to six months while market options are explored.“It is now down to Executive Ministers to act urgently for Streamemployees, their families and the wider community in the North West.”

Pat Ramsey Condemns Vigilante Shootings

Pat Ramsey has condemned the latest in a spate of vigilante attacks carried out by dissident republicans in Derry.

"The people of Derry condemn, without reservation, the shooting of anyone. Vigilante organisations have no regard for human rights or human life. Their contribution to our society is to make it a more violent place.

"We, the people, have clearly stated through referenda that we want a normal society, where human rights are upheld and respected. The community has made it clear that we do not want violence to have anyplace in our society.

"I would urge anyone with information about this or any other crime to contact the police."

Childcare for students and staff should be continued by University of Ulster

“The Employment and Learning Committee discussed the range ofproposals on the future of crèche facilities at the four campuses ofthe University of Ulster. Students and staff have expressed concernthat crèche facilities might be privatised or closed.

“It is very important, from the point of view of access and equality,that students and staff have access to crèche facilities that areaffordable and in the facility of the campus where people are workingor studying.

“At my suggestion, a letter will be sent to the University managementon behalf of the Stormont Employment and Learning Committee makingclear that the Committee gives high priority to childcare provisionacross the campuses.

“I had previously met with management of the University of Ulster whoadvised me that they want to ensure that childcare services continueto be made available.

“Naturally, I hope that the University will be able to continue toprovide high quality childcare provision”

SDLP Pat Ramsey MLA Support for Community Radio Stations

SDLP Pat Ramsey MLA Support for Community Radio Stations


“I have signed the petition asking the British Government to increase funding for local community radio stations.

“Community radios stations bring a great service to local people and have been described by the telecoms regulator OFCOM as “one of the great UK broadcasting success stories in the last few years.

"But local radio stations are restricted, in law, in the percentage of revenue they can get from advertising. Government is committed to co funding local community radio stations but the level of funding is totally inadequate and community radio stations are struggling.

“Given the service they give to their communities, I hope Government will agree to increase the funding to community radio.”


ENDS

For further details contact Paul Herron at 71 361 444
Also see http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/allthevoices/

Pat Ramsey – SDLP Meets Stream International Management

Pat Ramsey – Stream International is a vital employer and every assistance must be given to them.

“The SDLP met again with management of Stream International in relation to their recent announcement that they would be giving notice of redundancies to a section of the company workforce.

“It is clear to us from the meeting that management at the company is working aggressively to win new contracts. It is management’s long term intention to grow the company’s operation in Derry very significantly and they are very confident that the company has the reputation, skills and quality to do that. It is very important that the current short term problems are solved so that the company can retain the capabilities that management and staff has built over the last thirteen years.

“Stream International is a very important part of the city and region’s employment landscape and from the point of view of its workforce and the wider region, and so it is very important that every effort is made to assist management and staff in building for the future.

“Public Representatives from Derry met with Minister for Employment and Learning, Sir Reg Empey ,and senior managers from Invest NI to discuss the situation at Stream. It was a very positive meeting and Sir Reg has promised to give full support to the company. I have requested an urgent meeting with Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Investment, Arlene Foster, to discuss ways in which the company can be supported in its efforts to regain new contracts and grow.”

Stream International Jobs - no stone must be left unturned to save them

Pat Ramsey MLA has said that no stone must be left unturned to secure new contracts for Stream International . Speaking in advance of a meeting with Employment minister, Reg Empey, Mr Ramsey said

"The priority for the SDLP is to save as many of the Stream International jobs as possible. No stone should be left unturned to secure new contracts. This is obviously a very worrying time for staff. Today we will be meeting with Minister Reg Empey and senior representatives of Invest Northern Ireland.

"I have also requested an urgent meeting with Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Investment, Arlene Foster, to ensure that everything is being done to assist the company to secure new contracts. Invest NI should be using its international network of offices and contacts to assist stream in securing new work for the Derry operation.

"In addition to securing private sector work, The Northern Ireland Executive needs to seek opportunities for any future public sector contracts for call centre services - whether the contracts are from the public sectors in Britain or Ireland.

"Stream International has a very highly developed and skilled staff in Derry. They offer world class services and a range of technical areas as well as customer services. Given that the company has built up such a complex skill set over a long period of time, it would be terrible shame if that long term capacity is lost because of a temporary recession.

ENDS 31.7.2009

For further details contact Paul Herron at 028 71 361 444

SDLP Ramsey - People Support Margaret Ritchie's Housing Programme and are Wise to SF Sniping

People are wise to SF sniping at Margaret Ritchie and see it for what it is - pathetic party politics at its worst.
“Margaret Ritchie is squeezing every brick out of her totally inadequate budget. Because of the collapse in the housing market and the standstill in Housing Executive property sales, Margaret Ritchie has £80 million less this year than planned, and £100 million less than was expected for each of the next two years.

“Because of this, the Minister can not do everything that she had planned to do pre-recession. In response to the new situation, has prioritised new build houses and directed that new homes should be built on land already owned by the Housing Executive. There will be 1750 housing starts across the north over the next year, the highest number for many years. She is doing this so that we can get as many houses built as possible for the available money – to get families our of homeless accommodation and get builders back into work. Other priorities are warm homes and tackling fuel poverty.

“It is really pathetic to hear the constant party political sniping from epresentatives from Sinn Fein. Every week they have another go at the only SDLP Minister. They should remember – they and their DUP partners set the budget before the recession, and they have refused to change the budget since the recession. The people know who is doing the work and who is making good decisions. The people can see the total incompetence of the two main parties. It is clear on the doorsteps that many people regret giving so much ower to the SF/DUP bloc. They are failing children in education, they are failing on the economy, and now people have seen outreagous and ethically unfustifiable expenses claims. The people know which parties are working for the people and which parties are working on a themselves alone agenda.”