Today Programme Yesterday

Dunno if anyone else caught this, but oh dear...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8601002.stm

 

Level 6 rattle throw

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Catman MIB#14 SKoGA#6 TEAR#4 BOTAFOF#38 Apostle#21 COSOC#3
Tyger, Tyger Burning Bright (Remove rust to reply)
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"This was one of the most disgraceful biased performances of an interviewer
and of the BBC itself in the history of the BBC and its treatment of
trade unions."

I don't think it even comes close.

 

I'm a bit confused by the whole idea that the high court can ban
strike action. If the blokes want to strike then it's not hard to work
out that all you have to do is not go to work. I've always believed
that I have the right to withdraw my labour any day I choose to (1)
and it just seems a bit strange that an employer can take someone to
court to force them to turn up for work.

I miss those happy days when we'd all walk out if we were pissed off
with our employers. I don't miss picket lines and I think 'secondary'
pickets lines should be illegal but being banned from taking strike
action is taking the piss.

(1) Ok, they can take disciplinary action against me (2) for taking
unauthorised leave but they can't throw me in jail for 12 months.

(2) I appreciate it's a different matter when it's a national strike
but does anyone really believe that an employer would sack 50% of
their staff for taking 'illegal' strike action?

 

It certainly shows they don't understand the legislation relating to IA
ballots.

....and the last national rail strike was 1995, not 1994 as the BBC state
(that was the last national signallers strike).

 

Quite; Humphrys went in with an obviously closed mind, and Bob Crowe
was less than articulate in countering the argument in a coherent
manner.

Car crash radio at it worst imho.

 

Industrial action is unlawful if it has not been authorised by an
independent ballot that meets a (large) number of criteria.

The definition of industrial action is "a collective move away from
normal working".

So if it is normal to come to work(!), work overtime, follow certain
practices etc and you stop doing it on a collective basis that
constitutes industrial action - whether it's co-ordinated or not.

The employer can dismiss if they wish (you are only protected taking
lawful action) but more effectively they can seek damages from the union
- whether or not they're behind the action.

If you've just shut down the railways that's a lot of damages at ?90-?180
per minute. Individuals can seek damages too.

This is why we (union's) repudiate unofficial action pronto and get
accused by the ultras as "selling out the workers".

The law is not fair and doesn't promote oneness and transparency, it is
just there to frustrate action - but no surprise there.

 

I assume you mean the BBC? Good to have your input.

Figures.




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Catman MIB#14 SKoGA#6 TEAR#4 BOTAFOF#38 Apostle#21 COSOC#3
Tyger, Tyger Burning Bright (Remove rust to reply)
116 Giulietta 3.0l Sprint 1.7 GTV TS GT 3.2 V6
Triumph Sprint ST 1050: It's blue, see.
www.cuore-sportivo.co.uk

 

Bob Crowe managed to shoot himself in the foot. If he bothered to stop
repeating his mantra endlessly he may have got some sympathy, but looked
like a knob instead.

 

Why would BC want any sympathy from you, or anyone else for that matter?

It's an honest question - all he needs is the continued support of his
members. Strike in this circumstance is an economic weapon against
Network Rail, what /you/ think of the RMT makes no difference to that
impact.

 

Yes, I'm surprised as they're normally quite good.

 

Can you elucidate? I've not been following this too closely due to a
flurry of job applications, but, as I say, it's always interesting to
see a deeper point of view.

From what I can see (or have heard) it seems reasonably clear that the
ballot was flawed, potentially deliberately (though probably not hugely
likely) or due to some outstanding errors in record keeping.

True?

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Catman MIB#14 SKoGA#6 TEAR#4 BOTAFOF#38 Apostle#21 COSOC#3
Tyger, Tyger Burning Bright (Remove rust to reply)
116 Giulietta 3.0l Sprint 1.7 GTV TS GT 3.2 V6
Triumph Sprint ST 1050: It's blue, see.
www.cuore-sportivo.co.uk

 

Fair call. He certainly doesn't need sympathy or understanding, but
surely if public opinion turns against *him* the members are more likely
to withdraw their support?

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Catman MIB#14 SKoGA#6 TEAR#4 BOTAFOF#38 Apostle#21 COSOC#3
Tyger, Tyger Burning Bright (Remove rust to reply)
116 Giulietta 3.0l Sprint 1.7 GTV TS GT 3.2 V6
Triumph Sprint ST 1050: It's blue, see.
www.cuore-sportivo.co.uk

 

Well I'd imagine any number from: individual members pressurised by
their nearest and dearest right through to that they are understood to
be bankrolling the current gov'mint and may just contribute to another
party winning the next election. Further if he makes his union, and by
association all unions, look a bunch of arses then membership numbers
may fall.

I rather think that the strike is an action against you and I because
that's where NR gets its money from. You see if the track is unavailable
then the TOCs (train operating companies) can seek compensation from NR.
NR in turn will ask for an increase in the rail access fee to the TOCs
next time it's negotiated and/or ask the gov'mint for another subsidy.

 

According to the article,

"The BBC said Humphrys had "put a pertinent question to Mr Crow"

But when did..

"The Radio 4 host said the High Court's decision to grant an injunction
halting a four-day national rail strike "raises suspicions the ballot was
rigged".

become a question?

From where I'm sitting it was a statement or an opinion, not a question.


--
Beav

VN 750
Zed 1000
OMF# 19

 

It makes me wonder why the Beeb did the interview in the first place, if the
opinion of the great unwashed (no offence Tim) isn't important.


--
Beav

VN 750
Zed 1000
OMF# 19

 

He was doing ok up until he misheard that. Humphrys being his usual
twatty self.

 

I agree wholeheartedly that anyone should be "allowed" to strike if they
feel the need, apart from the Emergency Services who (I'm lead to believe)
have this right waived in their contract.

As for sacking 50% of the workforce, President Reagan sacked more than half
the air traffic controllers and got away with it.


--
Beav

VN 750
Zed 1000
OMF# 19

 

I think the latter is far more likely. My own experience of union
record-keeping is poor. Which, given their limited funds, is
understandable.

 

I'd have thought they were more likely to close ranks and give public
opinion a big **** off.

I'm waiting for squint to tell him to stop being a naughty boy because
not everybody using trains as a means of transport is a tory voter.