Debates
04 Oct 07
04 Oct 07
6 day stike today.
Yet another union abuses its monopoly. Yet again small business will suffer more than most.
I would like to see unions pay out small businesses for their losses during these times.
Same with the tube workers - if compensation was put in then maybe the selfish 35 hour week moaners might think twice about killing private enterprise.
Another example of unions preventing a monopolistic service delivering a service to their customers.
Now excuse me whilst I set up my suppliers to pay online. Thus reducing my need to use the Royal Mail, see how lower revenue affects your precious pay and conditions.
04 Oct 07
Originally posted by invigorateYou are so lucky that you don't have to work 16 hours a day, six days a week in appalling conditions with zero health and safety regulations and no vacation.
6 day stike today.
Yet another union abuses its monopoly. Yet again small business will suffer more than most.
I would like to see unions pay out small businesses for their losses during these times.
Same with the tube workers - if compensation was put in then maybe the selfish 35 hour week moaners might think twice about killing private enterpri ...[text shortened]... g my need to use the Royal Mail, see how lower revenue affects your precious pay and conditions.
Why do you suppose that is?
04 Oct 07
Originally posted by WheelyActually nobody tells me how many hours a day I should work, or how many days holiday I should take.
You are so lucky that you don't have to work 16 hours a day, six days a week in appalling conditions with zero health and safety regulations and no vacation.
Why do you suppose that is?
Workers in competitive industry rarely strike. Only monopolistic inductry sectors favour strike action.
I agree it is a sad paradox that strikers normally have the best conditions of work. Holding the country to ransom shows this crime does pay.
04 Oct 07
Originally posted by invigorateIf you would have been able to find yourself in your current position if you had left school /assuming you had been there at all) at sixteen and gone straight to work for a pittance, with little in the way office comforts such as heating, and with only a few hours to yourself at night lest you starve to death then you would be one of the few lucky ones, presumably born into a better lifestyle.
Actually nobody tells me how many hours a day I should work, or how many days holiday I should take.
Workers in competitive industry rarely strike. Only monopolistic inductry sectors favour strike action.
I agree it is a sad paradox that strikers normally have the best conditions of work. Holding the country to ransom shows this crime does pay.
This strike may or may not have any validity but unless you would prefer to return to the virtual slavery of the past, you should look at it in a wider context. The freedom to do what they are doing is central to your way of life.
04 Oct 07
2 edits
Originally posted by WheelyWheely, I am sorry to say that you are talking nonsense.
If you would have been able to find yourself in your current position if you had left school /assuming you had been there at all) at sixteen and gone straight to work for a pittance, with little in the way office comforts such as heating, and with only a few hours to yourself at night lest you starve to death then you would be one of the few lucky ones, presu ...[text shortened]... at it in a wider context. The freedom to do what they are doing is central to your way of life.
There can be no more simple less demanding paid work than to have to read an address, cycle there, and push some paperwork through the letterbox. Paper-boys do it before school daily.
It provides employment for those who cannot, or who are not willing to, undertake more demanding and less pleasant work.
04 Oct 07
Originally posted by invigorateCareful there, you might be turning into a conservative.
6 day stike today.
Yet another union abuses its monopoly. Yet again small business will suffer more than most.
I would like to see unions pay out small businesses for their losses during these times.
Same with the tube workers - if compensation was put in then maybe the selfish 35 hour week moaners might think twice about killing private enterpri ...[text shortened]... g my need to use the Royal Mail, see how lower revenue affects your precious pay and conditions.
04 Oct 07
Originally posted by WheelyWhen was the last time you worked, much less, worked in the sort of "Maggie: A Girl of the Street," kind of world you describe?
You are so lucky that you don't have to work 16 hours a day, six days a week in appalling conditions with zero health and safety regulations and no vacation.
Why do you suppose that is?
04 Oct 07
Originally posted by CartanI was not defending this or any particular strike. I was defending the right to strike which the original poster seemed to be trivialising.
Wheely, I am sorry to say that you are talking nonsense.
There can be no more simple less demanding paid work than to have to read an address, cycle there, and push some paperwork through the letterbox. Paper-boys do it before school daily.
It provides employment for those who cannot, or who are not willing to, undertake more demanding and less pleasant work.
Though much of what the unions have done throughout modern history may be debatable, there is little doubt that the current working environments would be a lot worse had they not arose in the first place.
04 Oct 07
Originally posted by WheelyNo doubting that!
...there is little doubt that the current working environments would be a lot worse had they not arose in the first place.
Apparently quite a number of postal workers go home after 4-6 hours work but still get paid for 8.
Hardly maximum efficiency. A small business run like that would soon go bust.
This is one of the things Royal Mail is seeking to change in the current pay negotiations.
04 Oct 07
Originally posted by SquelchbelchWay to look no further than the end of your nose!
No doubting that!
Apparently quite a number of postal workers go home after 4-6 hours work but still get paid for 8.
Hardly maximum efficiency. A small business run like that would soon go bust.
This is one of the things Royal Mail is seeking to change in the current pay negotiations.
05 Oct 07
1 edit
Originally posted by WheelyThe postmen are now in a similar position to that which the printers were in over 20 years ago: unable to compete with alternative services through outdated practices and yet unwilling to accept reforms.
I was not defending this or any particular strike. I was defending the right to strike which the original poster seemed to be trivialising.
Though much of what the unions have done throughout modern history may be debatable, there is little doubt that the current working environments would be a lot worse had they not arose in the first place.
They'ii all end up on the scapheap if they do not mend their ways.
05 Oct 07
Originally posted by CartanAlmost certainly true. Striking for anything other than injustice (I appreciate that this is hard to define) is generally damaging and self defeating but the right to strike itself, is vital to a healthy democracy.
The postmen are now in a similar position to that which the printers were in over 20 years ago: unable to compete with alternative services through outdated practices and yet unwilling to accept reforms.
They'ii all end up on the scapheap if they do not mend their ways.
05 Oct 07
Originally posted by invigorateSurely it's better to have a majority holding a minority to ransom, rather than the minority shoving their ransom down the throats of the majority?
Actually nobody tells me how many hours a day I should work, or how many days holiday I should take.
Workers in competitive industry rarely strike. Only monopolistic inductry sectors favour strike action.
I agree it is a sad paradox that strikers normally have the best conditions of work. Holding the country to ransom shows this crime does pay.