'If You're in a Hole, Stop Digging'
Unite could do worse than to reflect on Healey's sage advice as it contemplates the result of an internal union ballot - over a pay offer from British Airways (2.9% this year and 3% next year).
The unions says it balloted around 11,000 members over the offer - which sounds a bit casual and vague - was it 11,001 or 11,999?
In any event the result was less than impressive - because only 5,105 members bothered to vote - much less than half of the total (whatever it was).
Apparently 3,419 members voted to reject the offer - while 1,686 voted to accept.
So, on paper the union has a clear 2 to 1 rejection - but on a very poor turnout - which is why union leaders should now pause for thought.
Some union activists take the view that - a majority is a majority - and that 50% plus just 1 extra vote - is tantamount to a democratic mandate.
But this school of thought is clearly bonkers - because crucial to any ballot result is the context - how many people voted, has the issue been hyped up - what are the likely consequences of any action?
What Unite leaders know is that in a consultative ballot there is nothing to lose - whereas in a strike ballot things are very different.
A consultative ballot could be held on the proposal that - 'The moon is made of green cheese' - but a vote in favour of such a proposition is meaningless - no one loses anything on the outcome.
Consultative ballots are often used as a form brinksmanship - as a means of demanding more.
But a full blown strike ballot would raise the stakes - it would be subject to much more scrutiny - and the result would put Unite's leadership on the spot.
Would they call a strike on the basis of a narrow Yes vote - but on a very low turnout - perhaps much lower than 50%?
Because a strike ballot will always produce a 'worse' result than a consultative ballot - as people's doubts and concerns come into play.
And who would call for a strike anyway - when the workforce has been offered 2.9% and 3% in the present economic climate?
If Unite does, they will be inviting trouble - because a strike will raise big questions about union democracy - a can of worms best not opened under this government.
British Airways says that Unite has lost the "moral authority" to represent the views of its members.
A bit on the harsh side probably - but if Unite makes the wrong call now - they will opted for spades and shovels - over the wise words of Denis Healey.
