Bah Humbug
What's the point?
So I was encouraged to hear that the crazy strike by RMT members - which begins today for three days apparently - is likely to be a damp squib.
I heard on the radio earlier that 95% of trains will still be running - and that must be a good thing - because this is the barmiest excuse I've heard for taking industrial action - in a long, long time.
The use of 'buggins turn' for filling vacant posts went out with the ark - in most industries - many years ago.
Even the trade unions themslves - or the STUC or TUC - would be embarrassed if they were asked to implement such a policy - by the trade unions they deal with on behalf of their own staff.
In short they would laugh in your face - and rightly so because it's a ridiculous and completely discriminatory way to behave.
Bah Humbug (December 16th 2011)
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.
