Reginald
31st October 2003, 09:04 AM
[/rant on]
And off we go again. If the postal workers think that they can gain 1% of the initial (I use that word deliberately) sympathy that the firemen had, then I think they are in for a very, very nasty surprise.
There are very few parallels that can be drawn between the two actions. To start with the fireman's strike was lawful, the PO worker's strike is not.
Up until the point when some of the archaic practices of the fireman’s working week were revealed, public sympathy was overwhelmingly with them. The firemen didn't really win their dispute, they made a little ground financially but may have to accept major changes in working practice. Also the firemen (in general) assisted the army in ensuring that people were safe throughout the action.
On the other hand as far as public sympathy goes the PO workers seem to have none, or little. They are happy to cause the maximum difficulty for the general public and business.
Who are the people that these strikers are inconveniencing (or worse), well anyone waiting for a benefit cheque may have to wait longer, great when you are on 70 quid a week. Industry has to wait for payment, sometimes that represents a large part of their cash flow, without it , and with no agreed length of time to this dispute, people are at serious risk of losing their jobs (Yes brother workers, we stand together!). Other businesses are trying to get catalogues and literature out in time for xmas, if they cannot do so they will lose money and again jobs are in jeopardy.
Before anyone slams into me saying that I am some right wing anti-union person, let me state for the record. Trades unions are a VITAL part of business in the UK. They are an essential counter balance to the managerial/shareholder machine. In terms of health and safety they represent a front line in improvement and help to maintain the working conditions of millions of men and women in this country. I believe in the right to take lawful industrial action. I believe in the democratic process that can lead to industrial action. I have worked in heavy industry for many years in my past, I have been in several trades unions.
What I most certainly don't agree with is unlawful action that can only serve to damage people who have no part in, or any chance of assisting in, a resolution to thePO worker's grievance.
This action is of the highest level of selfishness and should be met by the employer with the strongest option open to them. The workers should be sacked.
[/rant off]
And off we go again. If the postal workers think that they can gain 1% of the initial (I use that word deliberately) sympathy that the firemen had, then I think they are in for a very, very nasty surprise.
There are very few parallels that can be drawn between the two actions. To start with the fireman's strike was lawful, the PO worker's strike is not.
Up until the point when some of the archaic practices of the fireman’s working week were revealed, public sympathy was overwhelmingly with them. The firemen didn't really win their dispute, they made a little ground financially but may have to accept major changes in working practice. Also the firemen (in general) assisted the army in ensuring that people were safe throughout the action.
On the other hand as far as public sympathy goes the PO workers seem to have none, or little. They are happy to cause the maximum difficulty for the general public and business.
Who are the people that these strikers are inconveniencing (or worse), well anyone waiting for a benefit cheque may have to wait longer, great when you are on 70 quid a week. Industry has to wait for payment, sometimes that represents a large part of their cash flow, without it , and with no agreed length of time to this dispute, people are at serious risk of losing their jobs (Yes brother workers, we stand together!). Other businesses are trying to get catalogues and literature out in time for xmas, if they cannot do so they will lose money and again jobs are in jeopardy.
Before anyone slams into me saying that I am some right wing anti-union person, let me state for the record. Trades unions are a VITAL part of business in the UK. They are an essential counter balance to the managerial/shareholder machine. In terms of health and safety they represent a front line in improvement and help to maintain the working conditions of millions of men and women in this country. I believe in the right to take lawful industrial action. I believe in the democratic process that can lead to industrial action. I have worked in heavy industry for many years in my past, I have been in several trades unions.
What I most certainly don't agree with is unlawful action that can only serve to damage people who have no part in, or any chance of assisting in, a resolution to thePO worker's grievance.
This action is of the highest level of selfishness and should be met by the employer with the strongest option open to them. The workers should be sacked.
[/rant off]