Working week

Working week

Supermarket chain Asda Wal-Mart is to create 4,300 new jobs throughout the UK by the end of the year. The move is part of a major £400m investment programme for the US-based firm, and includes new store openings. Tony DeNunzio, president and chief executive of Asda Wal-Mart, says: "The expansion and modernisation programme includes plans for the group's first purpose-built two-level superstore in the UK, at Huyton on Merseyside."

Black days in Black Country

Brook Crompton electric motors plant is planning to cut around 200 of the 360 engineering jobs at the Black Country factory.

Meanwhile, the manufacturing union Amicus and the Transport and General Workers Union have organised a march in Birmingham today to protest against the demise of manufacturing jobs in the west Midlands. Workers from companies including Alstom, Rolls-Royce, Jaguar, Land Rover and Dunlop will take part in the demonstration that will be addressed by Amicus general secretary Derek Simpson and his T&G counterpart, Tony Woodley.

Advertisement starts

Advertisement ends

Think of the pension

The TUC has published a useful advice pack urging job seekers to look closely at an employer's pension offer when deciding whether to accept a job. It is also urging employers to include clear information about their pension schemes in job adverts and application packs. The TUC says too many young job seekers fail to understand how much a good pension scheme contributes to the pay and conditions of a job.

The advice pack is posted at worksmart.org.uk/pensionpack