Strikes to go ahead

Wookster

Surprised this hasn't been posted yet but it looks like the strikes will go ahead.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-13923112

One would have thought that Greece would have been an example of the perils...

DodgyMoney

I don't think the teachers are going to come out of this in good shape. Can't see the government bowing to them and the public are just going to get irate at their complaining unfortunately.

satchmeister

Wookster wrote: »

Surprised this hasn't been posted yet but it looks like the strikes will go ahead.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-13923112

One would have thought that Greece would have been an example of the perils...

The perils of what - over spending or going on strike.

Generali

I thought this was the unions doing their bit, their members volunteering to take a couple of days off unpaid to help reduce the deficit.

It seems I'm a bit out of touch. Anyone know if the air traffic controllers are going on strike on Sunday?

torontoboy45

DodgyMoney wrote: »

I don't think the teachers are going to come out of this in good shape. Can't see the government bowing to them and the public are just going to get irate at their complaining unfortunately.

the chances of teachers coming out of this looking good are zilch; the lazy, PC, long holidays, out-of-touch brigade was on a loser as soon as the daily mail/express got hold of the story.

OH has taught for the past 20yrs and was led to understand that the more generous pension was 'deferred salary' (reasonable enough, given that she could earn more in the independent sector).

BTW: the pension arrangements re teachers was pronounced 'affordable' by the house of commons PAC only a few weeks ago, which makes me wonder what the coalition are really about.

never mind. a 1 day strike action isn't going to cripple childrens' education, but it may inconvenience parents who view school as childcare - that's the real grievance.

Generali

Is it undemocratic for public sector workers to strike? After all, effectively they're saying that the political party they bank roll failed to get in so they will withdraw their labour in an attempt to force a different government to change policies.

At least Scargill was open about wanting to bring down the Tories. After the election (in 87?) he called on the TUC at the TUC conference to have a General Strike IIRC at least.

Masomnia

Generali wrote: »

Is it undemocratic for public sector workers to strike? After all, effectively they're saying that the political party they bank roll failed to get in so they will withdraw their labour in an attempt to force a different government to change policies.

At least Scargill was open about wanting to bring down the Tories. After the election (in 87?) he called on the TUC at the TUC conference to have a General Strike IIRC at least.

That's exactly what Scargill said. In fact I think he went as far as to say he wanted to bring down the capitalist system all together.

The strikes are undemocratic in every way. The ballot only had something like a 30% turnout, and of those only something like 60% wanted the strike. So they don't even have a majority of the members voting for it. How they get away with that I have no idea.

torontoboy45

Generali wrote: »

Is it undemocratic for public sector workers to strike? After all, effectively they're saying that the political party they bank roll failed to get in so they will withdraw their labour in an attempt to force a different government to change policies.

At least Scargill was open about wanting to bring down the Tories. After the election (in 87?) he called on the TUC at the TUC conference to have a General Strike IIRC at least.

the issue relates to the emotional subject of pensions; I'm not sure if the teaching profession are 'as one' in toppling - a la scargill - a government.

I really don't get your reasoning on this. are you suggesting that teacher unions are headed up by scargill-wannabee leaders* intent on regime change? or are they articulating the view that most teachers aren't really interested in working longer, paying more and getting less?

gen, I respect your views on HP's/global economics, etc. but your take on UK labour relations needs serious updating.

with respect, of course.

* I'll include the association of teachers and lecturers, which has balloted its membership for strike action - the first time in 127yrs. like I say: funny things, pensions.

torontoboy45

Masomnia wrote: »

That's exactly what Scargill said. In fact I think he went as far as to say he wanted to bring down the capitalist system all together.

The strikes are undemocratic in every way. The ballot only had something like a 30% turnout, and of those only something like 60% wanted the strike. So they don't even have a majority of the members voting for it. How they get away with that I have no idea.

can't be @rsed to corroborate the figures you give. maybe you could link a source.

BTW, which political party has won an outright majority at the polling booths since - say - 1935?

democracy in action, eh?

Masomnia

torontoboy45 wrote: »

can't be @rsed to corroborate the figures you give. maybe you could link a source.

BTW, which political party has won an outright majority at the polling booths since - say - 1935?

democracy in action, eh?

It was off the top of my head, admittedly, and I can't be @rsed to find a link now. I'll do it tomorrow, promise.

And I totally agree, but that just means our electoral system needs to be more democratic. But, it's not exactly comparing like with like.

I can understand them being upset about the pensions, but I don't think the strikes are the right way to go about making their point.

jim22

torontoboy45 wrote: »

can't be @rsed to corroborate the figures you give. maybe you could link a source.

BTW, which political party has won an outright majority at the polling booths since - say - 1935?

democracy in action, eh?

labour government 1945