uniteatups.org.uk

September 2^nd 2008

Unite Shop Stewards today converged on the capital for the UPS Shop Stewards Conference

The meeting was opened by Tony Woodley, Unite Joint General Secretary, other presentations were given by Jeffrey Raffo from the International Transport Federation and Roger Sealey, Unite Transport Research Officer.

New National Officer, Paul Davies, also addressed the meeting, talking about organising and giving general advice and motivation to the Stewards.

Aug. 22 (Bloomberg) -- TNT NV, Europe's second-biggest express-delivery service, rose to the highest in almost six months in Amsterdam on a report that United Parcel Service Inc. may bid for the Dutch company as soon as this weekend.

Hoofddorp, Netherlands-based TNT gained 1.70 euros, or 6.9 percent, to 26.45 euros, the highest since Feb. 28. That values the company at 9.7 billion euros ($14.4 billion).

UPS and TNT may meet to work out a deal over the weekend, with the U.S. company offering 34 euros to 38 euros a share, U.K. newspaper the Times reported today, without citing anyone. TNT surged 26 percent on July 14, its biggest jump since first selling shares to the public in 1998, after the Financial Times reported that FedEx Corp., the second-biggest U.S. package- shipping company, was in talks to buy its Dutch rival.

CHICAGO (Reuters) - In the world of package companies, there is one story you can rely on to come up with mind-numbing regularity: speculation that either United Parcel Service Inc  or FedEx Corp  are in talks to buy TNT NV.

The latest speculation that UPS is in talks to buy TNT for 10 billion euros ($15.2 billion) sent the Dutch mail company's stock up more than 5 percent. A mid-July rumor that FedEx was doing the same sent TNT stock up nearly 30 percent in a single day. Ten days later, TNT's stock fell 18 percent on a report that talks had ended.

While this talk almost invariably comes to naught -- and both companies have consistently refused to comment on the recurrent rumors -- some day TNT would make a good fit for UPS and an even better one for FedEx. TNT's stock rises on rumors of an imminent bid because a deal is seen as a good long-term strategy for either company.

To read the full article, Click Here

This morning's Sunday Telegraph reports that UPS is plotting a 10 billion euros bid for Dutch rival TNT. (£7.8 billion)

UPS has made an informal approach to TNT and early stage talks have been held in recent days

UPS has a market value of $66.24 billion with TNT valued at 9.6 billion euros.

UPS has appointed investment bank Morgan Stanley as adviser and strategy consultants AT Kearney who have carried out a detailed report on a potential deal with TNT.

TNT is being advised by Goldman Sachs.

To read the full article click here

MOD have agreed to settle with Unite the Union (Amicus Section) the Information and Consultation claims which were based on the alleged failure to inform and consult in relation to the cessation or diminution in work carried out at DSG (ex DARA) St Athan.

Full and final settlement was achieved after extensive and detailed negotiations. The value of the settlement is in the region of £5M. Each of the affected employees will receive £3K.

MOD and Unite are now finalising administration and distribution arrangements.

Bryan Godsell, Unite the Union, Regional Officer said:

”This settlement graphically demonstrates the value and importance of being a member of Unite the Union. We are delighted that this claim has finally been settled through negotiation. Despite the complexity and sensitivity of the claim the negotiations between Unite the Union and the MoD have been conducted in a positive and pragmatic manner over a 2 year period resulting in a fantastic settlement for Unite the Union and all the affected employees.

Unite the union members who worked for defunct Swindon printing firm Centrabell Limited, which formerly traded as Tekprint, have won an employment tribunal claim brought against the company.

On 14 June 2007, without warning, the staff of Centrabell Limited were called together and told that the business was closing and that they were redundant with immediate effect. The company formally went into liquidation in September 2007.

Unite the union brought the case on behalf of its 22 members claiming the firm had failed to consult with the union or the workforce prior to closure.