Railway Union, RMT to strike on Grand National day!

THE UK's Railway Union, RMT, on 21 March 2017, have confirmed that a new strike will take place on the day of The Grand National, on Saturday, 8 April 2017. The strike will last for just under 24 hours, between 00:01 hours and 23:59 hours. This has worried many businesses who rely on visitors to the world famous steeplechase, that first started in 1839, that this strike might have major knock on effect to visitor numbers. the RMT claim that:- "Merseyrail have wrecked talks over the crucial issue of the future of the safety critical role of the guard and they have no option, but to take further action." It is also being reported that Drivers will also be on strike over this issue, but we have not had that officially confirmed as of yet.

In addition, the RMT have told us that they will be stepping up the campaign, involving the general public and targeting politicians across the areas served by Merseyrail. The areas affected have very mixed reactions to this action and the RMT now aims at maximising political and public support for RMT's fight for a guaranteed guard on the company's services.

RMT General secretary Mick Cash said:- "It is disgraceful that Merseyrail wrecked a golden opportunity to engage in serious talks with the union yesterday. RMT reps set out key points for discussion that could have moved the dispute forwards, Merseyrail kicked that conciliatory approach back in our faces and made it crystal clear that all that they are interested in is the union signing a surrender document which gives them a free hand to rip apart the safety culture on the railway. It is that cynical and hostile stance from Merseyrail which has left us with no option, but to put on this additional strike action. RMT recognises the severe impact that the action will have on Grand National Day but we are dealing with an employer that refuses to listen or engage with the union on the critical issue of safe rail operation and we ask the public to understand that we have no option, but to take this high profile action, to force the company back to the negotiating table. There is ample time between now and 8 April 2017, for genuine talks to take place and for a safe and sustainable deal that protects the future safety across Merseyrail services to be put in place. The company should take up that offer of further talks as a matter of urgency. Merseyrail are completely ignoring the clear wishes of their own passengers, who overwhelmingly oppose the idea of Driver Only Operated trains on their network. That pig headed attitude has forced the union's hand and the idea that we would compromise on the fundamental issue of rail safety is absurd. The ball is now firmly in Merseyrail's court."

New Single 'Wiggle' Featuring Snoop Dogg out soon!

THE latest chapter in the continuing phenomenal success of Jason Derulo's 'Tattoos' album starts with the release of the single 'Wiggle' on Beluga Heights / Warner Bros. Records, on 30 June 2017. Initially featured on the new Deluxe Edition format 'Tattoos', the track features a very special guest appearance courtesy of the inimitable Snoop Dogg.

Produced by Wallpaper along with Axident:- 'Wiggle' is a cheeky, immediately memorable, heavily rhythmic groove in which Jason Derulo's famous vocal gift is complemented by a typically smooth rap by Snoop Dogg.

"It's 1 of the most fun records you've ever heard in your life. It's the most excited I've been about a song I wrote in my entire career." said Jason. The accompanying video will be launched soon, but a taster is already available with the official behind the scenes video which can be seen here.

'Wiggle' has already been praised in the States, notably by Perez Hilton who has commented:- "It's insanely addictive! The song is so sexy! A big hit!"

Jason Derulo's recent single 'Trumpets' passed 450,000 UK sales, which together with the phenomenal sales of 'Talk Dirty' (#1 with 530,000 sales to date) and 'The Other Side' (#2, 400,000 sales), means that the sales of tracks taken from his current album 'Tattoos' has now exceeded a million.

Jason Derulo has become a major chart sensation since he 1st burst onto the scene in 2009 with his debut track 'Whatcha Say'. After three chart topping singles:- 'In My Head', 'Don't Wanna Go Home' and 'Talk Dirty' and a further five Top 5 hits, he has now sold over 3.5 million singles in the UK alone. His continuing success on these shores is also demonstrated by his Top 10 airplay hits, three Top 10 albums, which are approaching sales of 500,000 and 1.4 million unique UK fans across Twitter and Facebook.

His superstar status is also soaring internationally too. His recent singles have hit the upper reaches of the charts across Europe, at home in the States, as well as Canada, Australia and New Zealand with worldwide sales now standing at 26 million singles and 1.2 million albums. His YouTube Channel has been viewed 880 million times, while his combined Facebook and Twitter following now exceeds an audience of 17 million people.

Jason Derulo will return to the UK and Ireland this summer for the following dates:-

► 20 June 2017 – Sheffield, O2 Academy (headline show)

► 22 June 2017 – Sunderland, Stadium of Light (North East Live 2014 with Jessie J)

► 23 June 2017 – Liverpool, Echo Arena (headline show)

► 25 June 2017 – Belfast, Odyssey Arena (headline show)

► 26 June 2017 – Cork, Live At The Marquee (headline show)

► 28 June 2017 – Ipswich, Chantry Park (East Coast Live with Jessie J)

► 29 June 2017 – Weston Super Mare beach (West Coast Live with Jessie J)