petemcewan

I taught at Southgate College (now merged with Barnet College) for 30 yrs. Every college lecturer in the FE Sector is required to hold a teaching qualification. You cannot teach without qualifying with a teaching certificate. In-Service Training is constantly provided, in order to keep up to date with new innovations in teaching practices . Continuous Professional Development is mandatory. Management keep a detailed record of your activities. As far as UCU members striking "right left and centre" such accusations are nonsense. Employment Law makes it very difficult to withdraw your labour. More than a days pay is lost.Pension contributions are lost. In addition ,striking is breach of contract. Teachers don't strike "willy nilly".

Solomon, Mortimer's book is well worth a read. It should be out in paperback by now. I went to one of his presentation at "The Festival of the Mind". Seems like a pretty astute person. The descriptions of-how he sees -society progressing in the next 50 yrs is not baseless futurology. According to Mortimer the future-for ordinary working people- looks pretty bleak. "Ordinary people have no means of introducing government policies;they simply participate in the system that selects spokesmen connected to the unelected political elites to approve initiatives put forward by that same elite" (Centuries of Change. Ian Mortimer ,p336). When i read some of the political posting on this site ,I'm reminded of a passage from "Religion and the Rise of Capitalism,by R.H. Tawney". "A society which reverences the attainment of riches as the supreme felicity will naturally be disposed to regard the poor as damned in the next world.If only to justify itself for making their life hell in this" (p239). And so it goes. It was a refreshing to watch the video. Mr M.K. has been broadcasting for some years now. I think he's an ex Wall Street operative: banker, trader,investor-some thing like that.

Absolutely spot on. In addition, there is a large percentage of the population who mistakenly think that they have some influence in the political process. ---------- Post added 24-05-2015 at 15:17 ---------- Interesting facts.it was reported that 35% of Russia's wealth is owned by 110 individuals-most of the associates of Vladimir Putin. At the same time ,half a million people in that country are living in slavery". (Centuries of Change, p 334 Author , Ian Mortimer ). And so it goes.

Paddy . I went to the Yorkshire Water Website and entered S2. It gave me the "Water Quality" for my postal address. I cannot tell from the Website the source of the water supply. Having reviewed what is in the water; I'm seriously considering installing a device like yours. Considering we are all "living longer" and the direct link between aluminium in drinking water and dementia;it appears to me to be prudent to filter my water supply. The water here in Sheffield definitely tastes superior, to the stuff I consumed for 30 yrs whilst working in London. However, it may all be "the barn door after the horse has bolted". I made a silly mistake between the magnitude of a "Micro" and a "Pico" ! So it goes. ---------- Post added 04-04-2015 at 12:00 ---------- Whoops a daisy !! The aluminium content is 46 micrograms per litre for my address. The Uk/EU upper limit is 200 micrograms per litre. Clearly from my hasty reading of the figures..... 46 micrograms is too much !! I laugh ! I'm still going to get the filter. I think I could clearly benefit from it.

Sorry. I put "10 to the power minus 12" instead of 10 to the power minus 6 . Minus 12 is a "Pico" not a "micro".

I was horrified when I discovered that the Aluminium content -in my drinking water -is 200 micro grams (10 to the power minus 12) per litre. Apparently,that's the upper limit for Aluminium content. Considering that experts, have said that there's a link between dementia and the ingestion of aluminium, I'm more than a bit concerned. You have to drink water to live.

You are putting words into my mouth. I'm not saying doctors or nurses will leave you to die- don't be absurd. It's the cheapest form of argument to put word into a persons mouth. I said, "watch over you". I said ," to negotiate with doctors and nurses about your care". I didn't say- or mean to imply -that unless you do-they will leave you to die. It's totally pragmatic. "Error,accident,neglect and fate can harm your health at every step-from the initial appointment with the doctor to surgery and postoperative care" ("Hospital Survival Guide",From,"What Doctors Don't Tell You" Vol 1 .Author," Lyn McTaggart", Pub,"Bryant Hubbard"). To put into place, measures to safeguard your care does not logically translate into disrespecting the efforts of doctors and nurses. The quality of care varies from hospital to hospital-it's a fact. If you want to improve your odds, when under medical care.Then gather your friends around you-simple. Ting-a-ling. ---------- Post added 28-02-2015 at 12:39 ---------- You are putting words into my mouth. I'm not saying doctors or nurses will leave you to die- don't be absurd. It's the cheapest form of argument to put word into a persons mouth. I said "watch over you". I said ," to negotiate with doctors and nurses about your care". I didn't say- or mean to imply -that unless you do-they will leave you to die. It's totally pragmatic. "Error,accident,neglect and fate can harm your health at every step-from the initial appointment with the doctor to surgery and postoperative care" ("Hospital Survival Guide",From,"What Doctors Don't Tell You" Vol 1 .Author," Lyn McTaggart", Pub,"Bryant Hubbard"). To put into place measures to safeguard your care does not logically translate into disrespecting the efforts of doctors and nurses. The quality of care varies from hospital to hospital-it's a fact. If you want to improve your odds when under medical care.Then gather your friends around you-simple. Ting-a-ling.

My little tip is the following.It arise from looking after a partner who has had two life threatening illnesses(episodes ). If it can be managed.You need to have an "Advocate".Someone (in my case :his brother and me) who will watch over you,negotiate with the staff and doctors about your care. With all that in place you should be in a good position to survive your stay in hospital. I have nothing but praise for the NHS Doctors and Nurses. However,they are only human-they sometimes make mistakes. The object is not to let your nearest and dearest become a mistake that gets buried. So it goes.

What a coincidence. A friend of mine has the same dilemma . He received a summons from Tunbridge Wells;accusing him of speeding (37 mph) in a 30mph Zone. He swears he was only doing 30mph. And I believe him, because he doesn't lie In addition, he wouldn't want to waste his time or the Court's time; pleading not guilty to something he in fact committed . I wouldn't put it past some Authorities , of calibrating speed cameras to read 37 mph when a vehicle is in fact only travelling at 30 mph. Ask when were the cameras last calibrated -and can you have evidence of such calibration. In my opinion,I think you are right.(about,"rigged against the motorist) There have been cases in the past where the motorists has been fitted up by "dodgy " speed cameras and other "foul" means. For instance a box junction with traffic lights and road works arranged in such a fashion, That some vehicles will end up with their wheels in the box-through no fault of their own. Snap a picture and "Bob's your Uncle" instant fine. Westminster Authority netted thousands from such a set up on the Embankment. It appears that things are rigged against the motorist When I lived in London,it was almost impossible to drive without "committing" some kind of road traffic offence. Good luck with your case.

Spot on dear friend. It's a distraction from the real crooks in our society.

I have winter tyres on both my permanent four wheel drive cars and chains to fit all the wheels. A small problem. It sometimes means taking the chains off ,when you drive on a surface without compacted snow. However, I won't be sliding round Sheffield or the Peaks.

The FE Sector is not the "Private Sector". Although FE's are "Incorporated"they are still funded by the Tax Payer (You and me). Each College has a Board of Governors (Usually local worthies) The Principals like to call themselves "CEO" and there is a "Senior Management Team". There aren't any shareholders who receive a dividends like in a private company. UCU is able to obtain a list of the salaries received by each College Principal. A person will be astonished at the levels of remuneration . Before Incorporation there was a limit on the salary attached to the job of College Principal. After Incorporation the sky became the limit. The history of Incorporation is dogged with sharp practice and nepotism -so much so that Private Eye started a column called "High Principals". FE Colleges produce an "Annual Statement" (that does not make it a Private Company). It's possible to examine the contents and get a good impression, of whether or not the enterprise has been mismanaged or well managed. Redundancies should always be the last resort. A whole raft of alternatives should be examined and implemented before declaring redundancies. However,some College Principals and Senior Managements don't have the wherewithal to grasp the details of Employment Law-and redundancies become their first line of action. A note worth remembering is that FE Colleges are funded upon the work and outcomes delivered by the teaching staff.

I retired after 30 yrs in FE. I was also the UCU Branch Sec for 12 y. Ever since "Incorporation" managements have been declaring redundancies. In addition,College Principals and Senior Management have been awarding themselves large salary increases-far and away increases in excess of inflation. To any colleagues participating in the industrial action,you have my 100% support and solidarity. Get management to "open the books" and have a look at how they have been managing the college accounts.

I worked at English Steel in Opensha Manchester from the age of 15. It later became the BSC Special Steels Division. Part of my apprenticeship was spent in the Melting Plant -100 ton Electric Arc Furnaces made High Speed Steel (DE-Gassed and refined). I worked in the Drop Forge for two of the five years. The Counter-Blow Hammer is similar to the one at Openshaw. The Gravity Drop Hammers ranged from 5 tons to 10 tons -not including the die attached to the "tup." Most of the "blanks" were handled by tongs, supported by a block and tackle. The workers made their money from piece worker-so they worked a little faster than the guys in the video Being only 17 at the time ,i loved being in the place. As an apprentice electrician I got to work all over the plant. The works was a big place. I'd disappear into the heart of the factory riding on the internal railway network. Fond memories from a time when i was a lad. Newcomer01 Makes all the right points. I got a good education-facilitated by "Day Release".The blokes I worked with "sorted out" any "tear away" tendencies" I was cooking up in my teens-and I was a well built "hard case" teenager .I owe them a lot for guiding my development through my teens. I went on to becoming a teacher-instead of becoming an inmate of Strangeways Nick.

Well said-right to the heart of the matter.

You have my utmost respect.

Oh come on.There's got to be another way. I laugh.So it goes.

Yes it is. See if you can get hold of any books on "Permanent Arms Economy". The best i ever read was by an American academic called Harry Magdoff. If I had the ISBN number I'd have given it to you. There must be plenty of literature on the topic.

Survival tip. Invest in a stainless steel titfer with Uranium implants.That should keep the "babble " out .Go merrily on your way into the bunker. Unker down and live off cheese and onion crisps ! Ting-a-ling !!

For Truman. Quote is from : Centuries of Change, By Ian Mortimer. Academic Historian. ( Historical perspective is " Malthusian " tempered by a little "Post- Modernism". His projections are better than any "Futurist's" fantasies. Pretty dire descriptions of the politics that are now shaping our society.

For those people who don't think we need to protect the "Welfare State". "Ordinary people have no means of introducing government policies;they simple participate in a system that selects spokesmen connected to the unelected political elites to approve initiatives put forward by the same elites.Partly as a consequence,the other social reforms and improvements of the 19 th and 20 th centuries will prove even more vulnerable. As the per capita wealth of the poor diminishes,their living conditions can be expected to deteriorate . Workers desperate for cash will take on greater risks and more dangerous trades. Families who cannot afford rents will end up living in squalid conditions. In sever economic downturns governments will turn to extreme measures cutting the benefits paid to the poor, as well as healthcare and other social services". " Centuries of Change .By Ian Mortimer" p337. It's happening now-right now. UKIP ,LiB/DEMs ,Conservatives, and all the Fascist parties yet to emerge, will not save you. So it goes.

Yes we do.A little study of: Political Economy,Politics and Social Policy will prove enlightening as to the advantages of a Welfare State ,amidst the chaos that is 21 st Century Capitalism. "Dependency on Welfare" as an argument for cutting it, is a politically bankrupt argument, often trotted out by -but not exclusively- the "Right". They usually resort to an extreme form of repugnant "Utilitarianism" -as a justification for increasing the misery of the most needy in society. The delivery of welfare-in its many forms-to those in need,is the mark of an enlightened and humane society. The Welfare State is an attempt at addressing the grotesque inequalities of wealth- and all that that brings- thrown up by Capitalism.

Landy first choice. I have an ex=MOD 300TDI (2nd one. The first one was nicked in Sheffield ). Love it. Great fun driving. Should last a life time. If you do go for one-go to Peter Blanchard's near Hull . He does ex-MOD Land Rovers upgraded at reasonable prices. If you do go for a Landy-make it secure. They are highly desirable to car thieves.

I agree with you. I'm always interested in the state of mind and degree of alertness of motorists. To me, it's a logical extension of the discussion;that one introduces the "motorist" into this thread. Lucky for me, that having cycled for 55 yrs (30 of them in London),I've never been involved in a serious accident. In addition , I drive a car. Moving on the inside of a motor vehicle -whilst on my bike- I would avoid; no matter what advice is attached to the vehicle. Alertness is the defence against an early grave.

I don't mean to be rude. But I guess you must have been pi.... when you wrote the above. It's a fact,that not everybody on this forum likes what you write. It's possible-one way or another- to find out who you really are. Please don't get nervous. You have to exercise a certain degree of discretion when posting on Forums. The IR Compliance Unit has ways and means of discovering none compliance with the laws covering the payment of taxes. What you have written can so very easily be misunderstood. From my reading of your post, I take you to be nothing but an upright and honest citizen. The IR Compliance Unit is very active at the moment. The above is in no way meant to libel or defame the reputation of Pennistone-whoever he or she might be.