In Charge of the Office
The joint leaders of Britain's largest trade union - Tony Woodley and Derek Simpson - are a godsend to the headline writers.
Unite's joint general secretaries are widely known to dislike each other - they are a dysfunctional double act - the trade union movement's answer to Tweedledee and Tweedledum.
Unite's latest gaffe is widely reported today - as Tony Woodley flies of for a week in the sun - while his BA cabin crew members gear up for yet another week of strike action.
Sensing the obvious criticism - Unite released a statement saying that Derek Simpson is in charge of the office - he's ready and willing to meet BA at any time in an effort to resolve the dispute.
Yes, no doubt - but this is the same Derek Simpson who Twittered a running commentary on the last round of settlement talks.
Secret, sensitive negotiations that were so rudely interrupted - and effectively broken up - by a rent a mob from the Socialist Workers Party.
So, it seems a tad unlikely then that there will be a big breakthrough in the dispute - while Derek Simpson is at the helm.
Going off on holiday while your members are on strike is no crime - as general secretary some group of members, somewhere or other are always likely to be on strike - just when you want to head off to the beach with your bucket and spade.
But imagine the fuss and outrage - if BA's chairman and Unite hate figure, Willie Walsh, did the same thing.
Unite's joint general secretaries are widely known to dislike each other - they are a dysfunctional double act - the trade union movement's answer to Tweedledee and Tweedledum.
Unite's latest gaffe is widely reported today - as Tony Woodley flies of for a week in the sun - while his BA cabin crew members gear up for yet another week of strike action.
Sensing the obvious criticism - Unite released a statement saying that Derek Simpson is in charge of the office - he's ready and willing to meet BA at any time in an effort to resolve the dispute.
Yes, no doubt - but this is the same Derek Simpson who Twittered a running commentary on the last round of settlement talks.
Secret, sensitive negotiations that were so rudely interrupted - and effectively broken up - by a rent a mob from the Socialist Workers Party.
So, it seems a tad unlikely then that there will be a big breakthrough in the dispute - while Derek Simpson is at the helm.
Going off on holiday while your members are on strike is no crime - as general secretary some group of members, somewhere or other are always likely to be on strike - just when you want to head off to the beach with your bucket and spade.
But imagine the fuss and outrage - if BA's chairman and Unite hate figure, Willie Walsh, did the same thing.
