Bah Humbug

Railway workers seem to have lost their festive spirit this year - north and south of the border - by deciding to go on strike over the Christmas holidays.

Signal workers in Scotland are to stage a three-day strike from Christmas Eve - apparently - in a row over 'career progression'.

Now this won't mean much to most people - but what it boils down to is that the signal workers' trade union - the RMT - wants vacancies to be filled and people to be promoted on the basis of seniority or 'buggins turn'.

Which means of course that no matter how good or bad someone is at their job - then they get the next vacant post that comes along - end of story.

I have to say I find this a strange argument for a trade union to be advancing - because that was never how things worked when I was employed with NUPE or Unison.

In fact if anyone suggested that 'buggins turn' was the way to fill attractive jobs - you'd have had a riot on your hands or ended up in court - or both.

Because it's completely bonkers and discriminatory - the few women employed in this area are bound to have less service than most of the men - it being a very traditional, male dominated area - one where few men take career breaks to look after children, for example. 

So what can the RMT and the signal workers be thinking of - for goodness sake - because it also discriminates against younger people as well?

I have absolutely no sympathy for such a crazy misguided strike - which is aimed at disrupting people's enjoyment of the Christmas holidays. 

What a bunch of complete plonkers. 

Not to be outdone - London tube drivers who are paid almost £50,000 a year are planning a four-day strike starting on Boxing Day would you believe.

So, bah humbug - to all the Christmas shoppers in London as well.

The union involved this time is ASLEF which represents 60% London's 3,500 Tube drivers - and has used the threat of strikes to drive up the salaries of its members - to way beyond what an experienced and highly trained NHS nurse receives, for example.

Apparently the union is demanding triple time and a day off in lieu - for working on Boxing Day and other bank holidays.

An earlier threat to go on strike during next year's Olympic Games in London was 'bought off' effectively - with an announcement that Tube drivers would get a £1,800 bonus - for simply agreeing to turn up for work during this period.

To my mind these continual threats to disrupt public transport in London are ridiculous in this day and age - and especially at a time when everyone is struggling because the economy is in such bad shape.

What I would do is to bring in compulsory 'pendulum' arbitration in these situations - where an independent 'third party' adjudicates on the dispute - and comes down in favour of one side or the other - instead of splitting hairs.

That way everyone would be able to see who is being reasonable - and who is just trying to throw their weight around.