What is it with Trade Unions?

[bluespoke]

In the UK we had a Conservative government for 18 years that battered and emasculated the Trade Unions (rightly or wrongly makes little difference to this thread).

In 1997 the country elected a Labour government by a massive majority and relected that party in 2001 again with a massive majority.

The Labour Party is largely funded by the Trade Unions and the Union movement has a tranche of votes at the Labour Party conferences.

So, all through the Conservative years they allowed themselves to be bashed and curbed in their activities.

Now, they have a government of their own party and what happens?

The firefighters are on strike. Teachers in London are on strike. Airport workers are voting on a strike. The tube drivers are balloting for a strike.

Nothing like ensuring the revival of the Conservative Party.

 

[Gord]

So are we heading for a winter of discontent ??

If the power stations are hit on safety grouds then we could see the power cuts of the 70's

I dont have much sympathy for firemen - sorry

There are 40 applicants for every job - they have working conditions that enable many to have their own job on the side and most do - they do earn good overtime so the figure of 22000 is just a basic

If anyone deserves a raise it is our nurses IMHO

 

[mig]

Winter of discontent?.

That was when we had a Socialist government.Same difference.

 

[Pechorin]

Nothing like ensuring the revival of the Conservative Party.

Makes it all the more tragic/laughable that the Tories are making so little ground over Labour in the current climate.

And what's happened to Charles Kennedy? Is he keeping his head down or is the media just ignoring what he's saying?

 

[Rex1960]

Nothing like ensuring the revival of the Conservative Party.

one of my top ten anagrams:

Tony Blair, MP = I'm Tory plan B

 

[mig]

 

[bluespoke]

Re: Re: What is it with Trade Unions?

Makes it all the more tragic/laughable that the Tories are making so little ground over Labour in the current climate.

And what's happened to Charles Kennedy? Is he keeping his head down or is the media just ignoring what he's saying?

That's the crazy thing. The situation is ripe for IDS or Kennedy to make themselves a man of some stature but both are failing miserably.

Regardless of which party anyone supports the current situation is boring. I know it's a cliche but the only effective opposition is the Labour Party's own backbenchers.

 

[mig]

Re: Re: What is it with Trade Unions?

Makes it all the more tragic/laughable that the Tories are making so little ground over Labour in the current climate.

And what's happened to Charles Kennedy? Is he keeping his head down or is the media just ignoring what he's saying?

of course they are.

doesn't everybody?.

 

[bluespoke]

Re: Re: What is it with Trade Unions?

one of my top ten anagrams:

Tony Blair, MP = I'm Tory plan B

That always assumes the Tories have a plan B. Plan A sure don't work!

 

[Byron In Exile]

Re: Re: Re: What is it with Trade Unions?

Regardless of which party anyone supports the current situation is boring.

Maybe you guys need to think about secession from the UK. Might liven things up. Then you could take that disclaimer out of your sig line.

 

[bluespoke]

Re: Re: Re: Re: What is it with Trade Unions?

Maybe you guys need to think about secession from the UK. Might liven things up. Then you could take that disclaimer out of your sig line.

That's a whole different story. Having had a devolved government for a while nnow, the final move may not be long on happening.

Unfortunately when it happens the buggers'll go and join the damned EU!

 

[Byron In Exile]

That's a whole different story. Having had a devolved government for a while nnow, the final move may not be long on happening.

Really? This could be exciting! Hopefully it will involve bagpipes and swordplay.

Unfortunately when it happens the buggers'll go and join the damned EU!

Norway and Switzerland escaped, why not Scotland? The EU should follow the example of Rome and realize it's safer to just put a wall there.

 

[bluespoke]

Really? This could be exciting! Hopefully it will involve bagpipes and swordplay.
Norway and Switzerland escaped, why not Scotland? The EU should follow the example of Rome and realize it's safer to just put a wall there.

Errr, hopefully it will involve the issue of passports to exiles (help! ) and bagpipes and copious quantities of alcohol.

A wall? Now there is a Hadrian of an idea! Unlike Norway and Switzerland, Scotland's political leaders are all pro European.

 

[Byron In Exile]

Errr, hopefully it will involve the issue of passports to exiles (help! ) and bagpipes and copious quantities of alcohol.

Bagpipes and alcohol is even better -- no lost limbs! Also, if you need people, in the US there are many whose eyes glaze over when they hear the sound of the pipes.

A wall? Now there is a Hadrian of an idea! Unlike Norway and Switzerland, Scotland's political leaders are all pro European.

How did that happen? Did you fluoridate the water supply? Or is it that old thinking of the necessity of alliance with the French against England? Because guess what -- the French are pretty much spent at this point. Scotland would kick their asses in a war. Even Italy would defeat the French. What am I saying -- bloody Denmark could best France, with a good Northeasterly wind.

Even so, Scotland would be better off as an independent EU member than as part of the UK.

 

[bluespoke]

Even so, Scotland would be better off as an independent EU member than as part of the UK.

That's the really sad part of it.

 

[Byron In Exile]

That's the really sad part of it

Sir, there's no sadness in it. The Scots and Irish have shown the world the capacity for cruelty of the English. It has transcended time. We are all dutifully amazed. The Germans, in their darkest hour, had predecessors unmatched in the English. Sir, get out! You can still appreciate Shakespeare and Purcell! And Robert Burns, for all! Let them sink as they will, but if you should sink, let it be by your own choosing.

 

[Cheyenne]

Nothing like ensuring the revival of the Conservative Party.

Sounds like that may be a good idea.

 

[Guest]

 

[bluespoke]

Sir, there's no sadness in it. The Scots and Irish have shown the world the capacity for cruelty of the English. It has transcended time. We are all dutifully amazed. The Germans, in their darkest hour, had predecessors unmatched in the English. Sir, get out! You can still appreciate Shakespeare and Purcell! And Robert Burns, for all! Let them sink as they will, but if you should sink, let it be by your own choosing.

It's the EU part that is sad.

I'm all for total independence but not for the grand Euro state.

 

[Byron In Exile]

It looks like it's in pretty good shape:

But you may have to re-take some territory: