Mass Delusion

Now the RMT (Railway union) want to strike – possibly over Easter.  Add this to the British Airways strike. A gift for the Tories who are already talking of a ‘Spring of Discontent’
Surely they know that no matter how tough riding out the recession is going to be for all of us, they stand a better chance under Labour than under the Tories. The media only need to say ‘Spring of Discontent’ a few more times and voters will flock to the blue booths on May 6th.
Idiots – if you must strike, why not do it in June?

Class War

The union UNITE have got themselves into a right pickle with this strike.  It was a supreme mis-judgment to have supported the British Airways cabin crew in their fight against what seems to be an utterly trivial complaint.  All around the country people are losing their jobs, or taking pay cuts and pay freezes and in this current environment most are fully aware that this is a consequence of recession.  Presumably the cabin crew see that a small minority of workers and bosses in the UK are immune from the effects of the global turn-down and want to be part of  that elite group.  But to strike when they are not facing any cuts in their pay or conditions just seems exceptionally petty to the rest of us, putting their  perceived elitism in the same selfish category as bankers.

But, UNITE went ahead with this cause and now cannot afford to lose.  If they back down it will be seen as a victory for big business over the unions – a public humiliation with echoes of Margaret Thatchers time in office.  UNITE have been in Washington seeking support of the US Teamsters with a possible view to escalation.  A bloody showdown seems inevitable.

After the bankers have led us into this gloomy new world you can understand the appeal of class warfare and yet now is probably the worst possible time for it.  I myself had the choice of Virgin Atlantic or British Airways for a flight in the next few weeks – I chose Virgin.

UNITE dismiss condemnation of their actions by accusing people of not knowing the facts.  Well guys, you have had several months to tell us all – truth be told I think we do know the facts.  It’s about a reduction from 15 to 14 cabin crew on long haul flights – it’s about new terms and conditions for employees that haven’t joined yet.  We also know that BA cabin crew are amongst the best paid in the world.  We know that BA is losing millions of pounds.  Wake up and smell the coffee guys before you find that coffee is being exclusively served by cabin crew in bright red uniforms.