statts1976uk Posted October 2, 2014 Share Posted October 2, 2014 For the first time in my working career we're talking about talking some form of industrial action. Our MD was saying about what a good year we have an what massive contracts we've landed but the official line is that we've made a loss, this is due to an orchestrated tax dodge via overseas subsidiaries. The pilots are traditionally more militant than us engineers and have a better union (BALPA) but for the first time in a generation we're sticking together to get what we want. We've had slightly above inflation wage rises over the last few years but there have been big changes recently in our job responsibilities. Market forces have driven up our wages all over the airfield and we've lost a lot of guys but they don't seem to be bothered so we're looking at playing the long game with work to rule, overtime bans and then see where it goes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MotownClic Posted October 2, 2014 Share Posted October 2, 2014 What if everyone goes on strike and the company just says well ok we will shut then? What real power do they have people are too desperate and selfish for unions these days. Well that's clearly nonsense when millions of people are members of trade unions Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Newbornbairn Posted October 2, 2014 Share Posted October 2, 2014 I was a member of the CWU in the late Eighties when we went on strike over the amount of junk mail we were having to sort and deliver. It was a series of one day strikes which nevertheless hit us all in the pockets. In the end the Union signed a deal giving the guys working in the big city sorting offices (Glasgow, Birmingham, London etc) big bonuses for sorting the junk mail - but everybody else got f**k all. At the big meeting to announce this, the Union bigwigs had to be escorted out a side door by the police. A lot of posties cancelled their subs after that. The other side of the story is I was a member of Equity and they got us stage managers a sweet deal with a cut of the royalties for the West End Musical I worked on. I got a listing on the album cover and a regular cheque for twenty years out of that one - and all I did was attend a few recordings to make the coffee. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobbykdy Posted October 2, 2014 Share Posted October 2, 2014 The unions in the 70s and 80s did indeed do a good job of getting a lot of workers rights they now take for granted. These days however as another poster alluded to they are pretty much powerless in big power struggles. INEOS being the perfect example, the workers refused to have their pay & conditions reduced (as most would) so INEOS just said "ok we will close" this then lead to the workers having the choice of the reduced pay & conditions or no job. Ultimately if an employer is prepared to close the door in a situation like that to get their own way then there is nothing a union can do, they can however be useful where individuals or smaller groups are being treated unfairly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adam4267 Posted October 2, 2014 Share Posted October 2, 2014 Not really a fan of trade unions. They're great in theory but nowadays just seem a way for old men at the top to wield political power around and shove their views down people's throats. First union job I had at 15 and they were kind enough to negotiate with the employers so under 16 year olds earned less than minimum wage with no overtime or double pay on unsociable hours. Worked 12 hours on a Sunday once & should have earned something like $160 quid but got $60 (£2.50 an hour) thanks to the union. c***s Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MONKMAN Posted October 2, 2014 Share Posted October 2, 2014 I would never shame myself into joining a union. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjc Posted October 2, 2014 Share Posted October 2, 2014 The unions in the 70s and 80s did indeed do a good job of getting a lot of workers rights they now take for granted. These days however as another poster alluded to they are pretty much powerless in big power struggles. INEOS being the perfect example, the workers refused to have their pay & conditions reduced (as most would) so INEOS just said "ok we will close" this then lead to the workers having the choice of the reduced pay & conditions or no job. Ultimately if an employer is prepared to close the door in a situation like that to get their own way then there is nothing a union can do, they can however be useful where individuals or smaller groups are being treated unfairly. I agree with you that the Unions did a lot of good in terms of pay & conditions back in the 70's but they became far too powerful and tried to hold the Country to ransom with their "everybody out" strike policy. Their "protectionism" policy done for a lot more jobs than the economy savings would have too.......which was very short sighted of the Unions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
supermik Posted October 3, 2014 Share Posted October 3, 2014 There is still a great deal of bitterness from people in midlothian who were involved in the miners strike over "scabs". There is very little forgiveness towards the scabs to this day. I heard of one of them, who, after the strike, was having his lunch in the canteen. As he poured his tea from his flask, a big shite landed in his cup. Somebody had got a hold of his flask and done a shite in it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AyrshireTon Posted October 3, 2014 Share Posted October 3, 2014 Once crossed a picket line of librarians who were on strike. They tried to convince me to go back home and return my book another day. I couldn't be arsed so I told them it was due back today and went in anyway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bullywee Posted October 3, 2014 Share Posted October 3, 2014 #yolo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MotownClic Posted October 3, 2014 Share Posted October 3, 2014 I would never shame myself into joining a union. Happy to take all the benefits they've given you though? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Booker-T Posted October 3, 2014 Share Posted October 3, 2014 scabiing on journalists = fine scabing on factory/manual labour = disgusting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
forever_blue Posted October 3, 2014 Share Posted October 3, 2014 I will be honest as someone relatively new to the world of work i do not have a scooby doo about unions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cardinal Richelieu Posted October 3, 2014 Share Posted October 3, 2014 I'd rather be a pirate on Scabb, than a scab on a pirate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjc Posted October 3, 2014 Share Posted October 3, 2014 I'm self employed and work on behalf of various Companies so would cross a picket line (not that I ever have been put in that position) as I wouldn't get paid otherwise. That said, I have on numerous occasions defended staff from the management when I've felt they were being unreasonable towards them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blanco Posted October 3, 2014 Share Posted October 3, 2014 Would never cross one under any circumstances. I'm also in an excellent Union. How's Hayley getting on? Has he been forgiven for the Sundays yet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MotownClic Posted October 3, 2014 Share Posted October 3, 2014 How's Hayley getting on? Has he been forgiven for the Sundays yet. I'll PM you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sergeant Wilson Posted October 3, 2014 Share Posted October 3, 2014 I was genuinely moved on a picket line at the social. A guy asked about the dispute and explained he was down for to enquire about a delay in his benefit but wouldn't cross the line. Working class hero! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welshbairn Posted October 3, 2014 Share Posted October 3, 2014 I was genuinely moved on a picket line at the social. A guy asked about the dispute and explained he was down for to enquire about a delay in his benefit but wouldn't cross the line. Working class hero! I assume you suspended his giro for non attendance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dryhorce Posted October 3, 2014 Share Posted October 3, 2014 Why would I want to peal of my skin and cut myself? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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