Winter of Discontent
The news report today are full of stories about a new 'Winter of Discontent' - as trade unions use the handy platform of the TUC's annual conference - to announce a series of strike ballots.
To my mind this emphasis on industrial action is badly misguided.
Because it is likely to expose the trade unions as defending their sectional interests - while pretending to speak for the whole country.
'To have and to hold' - is the battle cry.
And if these strikes go ahead on the basis of defending final salary pension schemes - they will certainly not benefit the interests of lower paid workers - in the public or private sectors.
So we shall see what happens in the months ahead.
Meantime - I am going to re-visit an old 'friend' - John Steinbeck.
Whose last novel was called 'The Winter of Our Discontent' - which seems very appropriate in the circumstances.
I can't remember the storyline too well - after all this time.
But as I recall it's a tale of moral decay in small town America - of bad behaviour and rank hypocrisy - of people benefiting from foul deeds and misdemeanours - before finally recognising the error of their ways.
To my mind this emphasis on industrial action is badly misguided.
Because it is likely to expose the trade unions as defending their sectional interests - while pretending to speak for the whole country.
'To have and to hold' - is the battle cry.
And if these strikes go ahead on the basis of defending final salary pension schemes - they will certainly not benefit the interests of lower paid workers - in the public or private sectors.
So we shall see what happens in the months ahead.
Meantime - I am going to re-visit an old 'friend' - John Steinbeck.
Whose last novel was called 'The Winter of Our Discontent' - which seems very appropriate in the circumstances.
I can't remember the storyline too well - after all this time.
But as I recall it's a tale of moral decay in small town America - of bad behaviour and rank hypocrisy - of people benefiting from foul deeds and misdemeanours - before finally recognising the error of their ways.
