Is it only me???

angiebhfx

Why have the people in this country gone totally anti-union and anti-striking?

We used to be a nation that stood up for ourselves now we just accept things and say 'There is nothing I can do about it I am lucky to have a job If they say jump I'll ask how high, should just put up and shut up or look for another job" I wouldn't care it was us that started the Labour movement and now look at us!!

In France if there is something they don't like they stand up for themselves and demand changes, after all they elect the government they are supposed to work on their behalf. The French seem to have more community and more often the not the government listens because many stand together as one voice. The British mentality now seems to be me me me.

MT did a bl00dy good job on us to make us single minded and no longer community spirited, can't control the masses but we can control the individual.

Okay rant over for now

jaydeeuk1

Because if the unions had their way, the country would be in an even worse mess?

cyberbob

Obviously someone who doesn't remember the 70s when the unions held the country to ransom

angiebhfx

No I am not old enough. But why does it have to be all or nothing. Just because Unions where over zealous in the 70's does that mean that striking is bad altogether.

What about employers taking the p155 out of employees now because there is so many unemployed. People are being expected to work beyond there contracted hours for no compensation because the threat of them losing their jobs is to great. And with all the debt that people have they are even more scared to make a move because they could lose their home.

I just think it's too far the other way now, where unions are seen as the villain and not the employer. Lets face it if people could be replaced by computers or robots and that increased the bottom line then most companies would do it. Computers and robots wouldn't be sick or have babies etc. Share holders and fat cats are king now.

For instance the BA cabin crew. The first thought that came into the media/customers head is what about my holiday. Once upon a time we used to applaud people for standing up against the powers that be.

I can't believe I am in a minority.


I take it you both work and you both work for lovely employers that really care about their staff, pay sick leave and give you an above inflation pay rise and a performance bonus with perks such as luncheon vouchers?

funkycoldribena

Been a long term lurker,but had to join just to agree with you-I think people have just become to lazy to stand up to anything,pretty much why employers/government can get away with pretty much anything nowadays.

RobertoMoir

angiebhfx wrote: »

No I am not old enough. But why does it have to be all or nothing. Just because Unions where over zealous in the 70's does that mean that striking is bad altogether.

No. However some unions do appear to have a slender grasp on current realities.

Truth is, imho that most *groups* of people are, collectively, jerks. So instead of reasonable behaviour on both sides, what you get is a pendulum swinging between two extremes. Sadly, it's human nature.

hermum

Maybe not all of us like being held to ransom by people who want to call a strike because they can't get their own ways, if it was a child it would be called a tantrum.
Don't like your job, your conditions, your employer, find another, that does suit.

Churchmouse

The problem is, whoever has the upper hand seems always to fail to be reasonable. I've lived through plenty of cycles of the unions screwing the bosses, then the bosses screwing the unions. And God help the guy who doesn't agree with the union strike. And why do we accept that certain people are LEGALLY forbidden from striking? The armed forces and the police spring to mind. I suppose in extreme times such as we have at the moment, it is assumed we should all be pulling together, not seeking to put ourselves above all others.

Payless_2

angiebhfx wrote: »

Why have the people in this country gone totally anti-union and anti-striking?

We used to be a nation that stood up for ourselves now we just accept things and say 'There is nothing I can do about it I am lucky to have a job If they say jump I'll ask how high, should just put up and shut up or look for another job" I wouldn't care it was us that started the Labour movement and now look at us!!

In France if there is something they don't like they stand up for themselves and demand changes, after all they elect the government they are supposed to work on their behalf. The French seem to have more community and more often the not the government listens because many stand together as one voice. The British mentality now seems to be me me me.

MT did a bl00dy good job on us to make us single minded and no longer community spirited, can't control the masses but we can control the individual.

Okay rant over for now

I totally agree. There still seems to be an "I'm alright jack" mentality that has stayed with us since the Thatcher era. Divide and conquer.

dmg24

angiebhfx wrote: »

No I am not old enough. But why does it have to be all or nothing. Just because Unions where over zealous in the 70's does that mean that striking is bad altogether.

What about employers taking the p155 out of employees now because there is so many unemployed. People are being expected to work beyond there contracted hours for no compensation because the threat of them losing their jobs is to great. And with all the debt that people have they are even more scared to make a move because they could lose their home.

I just think it's too far the other way now, where unions are seen as the villain and not the employer. Lets face it if people could be replaced by computers or robots and that increased the bottom line then most companies would do it. Computers and robots wouldn't be sick or have babies etc. Share holders and fat cats are king now.

For instance the BA cabin crew. The first thought that came into the media/customers head is what about my holiday. Once upon a time we used to applaud people for standing up against the powers that be.

I can't believe I am in a minority.


I take it you both work and you both work for lovely employers that really care about their staff, pay sick leave and give you an above inflation pay rise and a performance bonus with perks such as luncheon vouchers?

I trust you can elaborate on the BA situation, to demonstrate that you were supporting a valid cause, and not just following the crowd because a union said it was the right thing to do?

I stand up for my rights, but I do so as an individual. I do this by negotiating, and not resorting to petty threats. One thing you will grow to realise is that in the workplace you are not working with friends, you are working with colleagues. If one person needs to be made redundant out of two, is the second person going to stand up for your rights, or fight their own corner? It does not take a genius to know that, when it comes down to it, your colleagues will put their own interests before any concern for yours.

Rolandtheroadie

dmg24 wrote: »

I stand up for my rights, but I do so as an individual. I do this by negotiating, and not resorting to petty threats.

Who negotiates these days. It's consultation, not negotiation.