Strike warning over suspended worker

A postal strike could take place in the new year if management at a sorting office refuse to allow a suspended worker back to work, union leaders say.

Staff at Chelmsley Wood, Solihull, walked out on Friday in protest but after a meeting with union officials, voted to return to work.

Management are due to meet later to discuss the man's future.

Mick Cavanagh, from the Communications Workers Union, is demanding the man is allowed to return to work.

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Church forced to close

A Black Country church has been forced to close its doors its congregation after a report deemed its building unsafe.

St John's Church in Kates Hill, Dudley, dates back to 1840 and serves a parish of 11,000 people.

But structural problems have been identified and the church has been closed for an indefinite period.

Church leaders will meet in the new year to discuss its future as at least £500,000 would be needed to meet safety standards.

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Staff at superhospital may lose money

Plans to transfer almost 200 medical workers in Coventry to a new superhospital could leave many of them out of pocket, according to the GMB union.

Around 180 NHS staff at the Walsgrave Hospital, Coventry, will have their jobs transferred to the private sector.

The government promised that contract, pensions and holiday rights would not change with the move, says the union.

But now it is now warning the private company running the superhospital will exert its own financial guidelines on staff.