Apocryphal Tales

When I read the story the other day about rail drivers in Scotland possibly going on strike - I was reminded of an apocryphal tale told to me years ago - about the refuse service in Glasgow.

See post dated 19 January 2012 - New Rangers Strikers.

Now the two stories are similar - because they both involve disciplinary action against workers (and union members) who appear to have behaved very badly.

The Glasgow refuse story goes like this - a driver crashed his brand new refuse collection lorry - a very expensive item which cost the council and the council taxpayer - something like £250,000 at the time.

The chap responsible for the accident turned out to be well over the drink driving limit - having been out on some crazy bender the night before.

So he was arrested by the Glasgow 'polis' and suspended from duty by the City Council prior to facing a disciplinary hearing - which was only to be expected given the very serious nature of the incident. 

A sacking was on the cards - because somone could have been killed for God's sake.

But later that day the chap's union called a strike - and the rest of workforce agreed to down tools - because of the 'harsh' treatment meted out to the driver. 

Apparently the local management caved in and agreed that he be temporarily re-deployed into other duties - buton on his normal and full pay - before the whole business was quietly swept under the carpet.

Now the person who told me this tale was a local full-time union official - one who worked closely with the council and the group of union members involved.

So while it may have become embellished a bit over the years - I have know reason to doubt that the basic facts are anything but correct.

Which just goes to show you that some folks will do crazy things - if you're daft enough to put up with their antics - though I'm pretty certain it would happen in the council nowadays.

Thankfully times have changed.