Learning Centre...who actually wants it?

[gfgf]

I know this was once quite a burning topic on night shift, until management swept it under the carpet. x amount of years ago, there was a massive opposition to first line fix spending practically all our budget on something which hardly anybody would use. There was even a petition going around taking signatures to say we had no faith in the First line fix comittee, that was until it was taken away by mangers.

As I'm sure you can all remember, this 'suggestion' was originally pushed through, before any keyers were allowed to vote on first line fix ideas. Near the start of the year the learning centre was brought up again on earlies via a handout, and I wanted to ask management to do a fair vote, where we hear both sides of the story. I was told a first line fix rep would come onto shift and discuess the matter with us, although that never happened.

I'm curious as to what other people think with regards to the learning centre? Is it a complete waste of money, or is it something we really need?

[evilc]

I know this was once quite a burning topic on night shift, until management swept it under the carpet. x amount of years ago, there was a massive opposition to first line fix spending practically all our budget on something which hardly anybody would use. There was even a petition going around taking signatures to say we had no faith in the First line fix comittee, that was until it was taken away by mangers.

As I'm sure you can all remember, this 'suggestion' was originally pushed through, before any keyers were allowed to vote on first line fix ideas. Near the start of the year the learning centre was brought up again on earlies via a handout, and I wanted to ask management to do a fair vote, where we hear both sides of the story. I was told a first line fix rep would come onto shift and discuess the matter with us, although that never happened.

I'm curious as to what other people think with regards to the learning centre? Is it a complete waste of money, or is it something we really need?

I do not know which planet you have been on, the learning centre was voted on by mdec staff and accepted ages ago, if you rep did not talk to you then take this up with them, as for the petition this was organised by staff who wanted a gym even tho they have access to the gym at plymstock, they were also told that the cost would amount to at least 4 yrs flf current budget just to bring old gym room up to standard, where as after more money would be reuired to buy equipment, I hope this answers some of your queries.

[La]

I think it's a waste of money. Maybe I'm being thick but I just don't *get* what it's supposed to do. Just sounds like computers with internet on them. (Hasn't MDEC got enough computers in it?) Surely not many people would benefit from that in today's world. Maybe 5 years ago less people had the internet at home??

I think the £7000 for clocks is an even more bizarre FLF proposal though.

xXx

[evilc]

I think it's a waste of money. Maybe I'm being thick but I just don't *get* what it's supposed to do. Just sounds like computers with internet on them. (Hasn't MDEC got enough computers in it?) Surely not many people would benefit from that in today's world. Maybe 5 years ago less people had the internet at home??

I think the £7000 for clocks is an even more bizarre FLF proposal though.

xXx

The Learning Centre is supposed to help members of staff in the basic things like maths,english,writing etc, it was not that long ago that a lot of people left school without this basic knowledge. Also it can provide retraining on things as basic as using a computer,when I left school a computer would need a 3 bed semi just to house the most basic computer in, so there was no chance of doing what happens now with internet etc.

As for the clocks, it is up to the individual to be at their place of work at the correct time not flf, which is why the clocks were asked for, oh and apparently we need seconds to make sure we do just that, I am sure there are better things that the money can be spent on.
Perhaps the Social Committee might spend some of the money from the pool tables on recovering them instead of subsidising the xmas party.!!!!!!!!

[Mailbag]

The clocks they have now differ from the system clocks anyway, so you can still come back late.

[gfgf]

I know this was once quite a burning topic on night shift, until management swept it under the carpet. x amount of years ago, there was a massive opposition to first line fix spending practically all our budget on something which hardly anybody would use. There was even a petition going around taking signatures to say we had no faith in the First line fix comittee, that was until it was taken away by mangers.

As I'm sure you can all remember, this 'suggestion' was originally pushed through, before any keyers were allowed to vote on first line fix ideas. Near the start of the year the learning centre was brought up again on earlies via a handout, and I wanted to ask management to do a fair vote, where we hear both sides of the story. I was told a first line fix rep would come onto shift and discuess the matter with us, although that never happened.

I'm curious as to what other people think with regards to the learning centre? Is it a complete waste of money, or is it something we really need?

I do not know which planet you have been on, the learning centre was voted on by mdec staff and accepted ages ago, if you rep did not talk to you then take this up with them, as for the petition this was organised by staff who wanted a gym even tho they have access to the gym at plymstock, they were also told that the cost would amount to at least 4 yrs flf current budget just to bring old gym room up to standard, where as after more money would be reuired to buy equipment, I hope this answers some of your queries.

If you read my post properly, I said the petition about having no faith in the first line comittee, no mention of gym there. Your too eager to jump on me for talking about my own experiences on the subject.

[Renegade80]

Perhaps the Social Committee might spend some of the money from the pool tables on recovering them instead of subsidising the xmas party.!!!!!!!!

Damn straight brother!!!

[Codebreaker]

Perhaps the Social Committee might spend some of the money from the pool tables on recovering them instead of subsidising the xmas party.!!!!!!!!

Damn straight brother!!!

If you have concerns I have a few suggestions:

1. Speak informally to the 'Chair' of the Social Committee.
2. Put in a formal written request to the Committee, requesting a written reply.
3. Speak to your Manager or the MDEC Manager and get them to convey your concerns.

What is of no value is to do nothing.



GOOD LUCK TO US ALL AND HAVE FAITH

[Renegade80]

Perhaps the Social Committee might spend some of the money from the pool tables on recovering them instead of subsidising the xmas party.!!!!!!!!

Damn straight brother!!!

If you have concerns I have a few suggestions:

1. Speak informally to the 'Chair' of the Social Committee.
2. Put in a formal written request to the Committee, requesting a written reply.
3. Speak to your Manager or the MDEC Manager and get them to convey your concerns.

What is of no value is to do nothing.



GOOD LUCK TO US ALL AND HAVE FAITH

Codebreaker, all of the above has been done and the likes of evilc and myself have been constantly thwarted and evaded on numerous occasions, so much so, it has become a running joke/farce as expressed in the above manner.

Apologies to gfgf for somewhat hi-jacking his original post.

Back to topic then

[gfgf]

nah its ok Renegade, at the end of the day, this is all related by the fact its OUR money being wasted on things that we don't want.

[evilc]

Perhaps the Social Committee might spend some of the money from the pool tables on recovering them instead of subsidising the xmas party.!!!!!!!!

Damn straight brother!!!

If you have concerns I have a few suggestions:

1. Speak informally to the 'Chair' of the Social Committee.
2. Put in a formal written request to the Committee, requesting a written reply.
3. Speak to your Manager or the MDEC Manager and get them to convey your concerns.

What is of no value is to do nothing.



GOOD LUCK TO US ALL AND HAVE FAITH

Thanks codebreaker

1) I do not know who the chair of social committee is
2) We have put in numerous requests thru our line manager to produce accounts, but unfortunately they are never forthcoming.

That leads to assume that once again the xmas party is subsidised from pool table takings, while the condition of said tables detoriates even further. Also I would like to know what percentage of mdec staff actually attend the xmas party?

[Codebreaker]

evilc. Hope you ok.

Will PM you the name of Social Committee Chair.

Best wishes to you.





GOOD LUCK TO US ALL AND HAVE FAITH

[polly]

I know this was once quite a burning topic on night shift, until management swept it under the carpet. x amount of years ago, there was a massive opposition to first line fix spending practically all our budget on something which hardly anybody would use. There was even a petition going around taking signatures to say we had no faith in the First line fix comittee, that was until it was taken away by mangers.

As I'm sure you can all remember, this 'suggestion' was originally pushed through, before any keyers were allowed to vote on first line fix ideas. Near the start of the year the learning centre was brought up again on earlies via a handout, and I wanted to ask management to do a fair vote, where we hear both sides of the story. I was told a first line fix rep would come onto shift and discuess the matter with us, although that never happened.

I'm curious as to what other people think with regards to the learning centre? Is it a complete waste of money, or is it something we really need?

I have heard that yet another vote is to take place on the proposed 'learning centre' as the cost has gone yet again over budget by £5,000 or more! This will give everyone the chance to have their say again!
As there is £17,000 already allocated to this project, we all need to come up with ideas of where else it would be spent if not on the learning centre.

[mailsort6]

Having a learning centre is very important at this present time. RM are thinking of getting rid of 40,000 jobs, we don't know who or which offices are going to be affected. Posties that have no qualifications this is the time to get educated by use of the learning centres. Remember when the miniers knew that they were going to be pit closures they were able to take free courses in order to prepare themselves when applying for new jobs. Take advantage of the learning centres if you have one at your DO or MC.

[evilc]

Having a learning centre is very important at this present time. RM are thinking of getting rid of 40,000 jobs, we don't know who or which offices are going to be affected. Posties that have no qualifications this is the time to get educated by use of the learning centres. Remember when the miniers knew that they were going to be pit closures they were able to take free courses in order to prepare themselves when applying for new jobs. Take advantage of the learning centres if you have one at your DO or MC.

Fully appreciate your comments, unfortunately most employees at Plymouth mdec are only concerned with themselves so do not think about what their actions have on anyone else.