Trade Unions - For or Against?

Message boards : Politics : Trade Unions - For or Against?

Author	Message
msattler Volunteer tester Send message Joined: 9 Jul 00 Posts: 34229 Credit: 345,744,499 RAC: 551,157	Message 1244242 - Posted: 10 Jun 2012, 3:57:56 UTC - in response to Message 1244240.
	I'm for unions only if I can be President or treasurer. Uhh.... Folks are just now waking up to the fact that they are the only winners. Or the real loooooooosers. Now that Wisonsin's reforms are real, union membership is dropping like rats from it's sinking ship. You now have to opt IN to pay union dues. They can no longer just extort them from you. And folks are finding that they just don't wanna pay the 'big man' anymore. But this^ isn't really a "good" thing. Soon they wont be able to opt-in even if they wanted to or need to... Good thing or not, it is present day reality. And it's about time the small business owner gets his day. Mind you, this all has nothing to bear on the multi millionaire babies that take their billion dollar salaries from high budget corps....... This is the little guys. The ones that REALLY make or break an economy. ____________ ****** "Ask not, what your kitty can do for you. Ask what you can do for your kitty." As it is kitten, so shall it be done.
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Sirius B Volunteer tester Send message Joined: 26 Dec 00 Posts: 6751 Credit: 1,283,817 RAC: 656	Message 1245179 - Posted: 12 Jun 2012, 23:51:25 UTC
	This really shows what "modern" unions are after.... Convenient with the Olympics a short time away On this one, the union is in the wrong. After the upgrading of signalling & other modernisations, Hammersmith (Rail wise) is ideal in that it eases the pressure on Earl's Court & is only 3 stops away.... ...so cannot see why the union is confrontational as it seems that all criteria has been met by the management. ____________
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Chris S Volunteer tester Send message Joined: 19 Nov 00 Posts: 22827 Credit: 4,530,195 RAC: 5,642	Message 1245286 - Posted: 13 Jun 2012, 9:59:31 UTC
	Oh gosh, gulp, sigh, agreed.
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msattler Volunteer tester Send message Joined: 9 Jul 00 Posts: 34229 Credit: 345,744,499 RAC: 551,157	Message 1245300 - Posted: 13 Jun 2012, 11:06:42 UTC Last modified: 13 Jun 2012, 11:07:56 UTC
	OF COURSE they dismissed it......... "The timing of the new strike has yet to be finalised but union officials dismissed as "pure speculation" suggestions it could be timed to coincide with the forthcoming Olympics." The scum....... ____________ ****** "Ask not, what your kitty can do for you. Ask what you can do for your kitty." As it is kitten, so shall it be done.
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Nick Send message Joined: 11 Oct 11 Posts: 2687 Credit: 1,508,847 RAC: 1,141	Message 1245538 - Posted: 13 Jun 2012, 20:48:13 UTC Last modified: 13 Jun 2012, 21:01:39 UTC
	What gets me about this bus driver bonus malarkey is, that normally the buses drive around London quite empty of passengers. During the Olympics these buses are likely now to run around London quite full. For this, the bus drivers wont a bonus...why, are these bus drivers having to carry the extra passenger loads upon their own backs!!!! Has TFL thought about the delays that will hold these buses up from running to time. How many of the Olympics destined passengers are going to have the Oyster swipe cards? How many of these Olympics destined passengers are going to know the fares price to pay on the bus? These two points could seriously delay the progress of the bus if this buses driver has to deal with many individual passenger fare inquiries and then take the fare money too. I don't suppose the British Olympics committee is too fussed either way regarding whether the bus drivers go on strike or not. For they have sold 7/8th of the games tickets so far and wont have to give a penny back to the purchaser if they can't get to the Olympics because the buses were on strike. And remember, it will be illegal to take any food with you into the Olympics. All food must be purchased on site. A totalitarian Olympics committee in full operation, "We will take what ever measures necessary to force this Olympics not to become a financial disaster". "You will buy our supplied foods and drinks at our highly inflated prices and if it looks like we are not making enough money then we will be charging you for the Olympics air that your breathing". ____________ The Kite Fliers -------------------- Kite fliers: An imaginary club of solo members, those who don't yet belong to a formal team so "fly their own kites" - as the saying goes.
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Sirius B Volunteer tester Send message Joined: 26 Dec 00 Posts: 6751 Credit: 1,283,817 RAC: 656	Message 1245547 - Posted: 13 Jun 2012, 20:58:28 UTC - in response to Message 1245538.
	& don't forget that the BOC has their own "VIP Lane". Again, it's a shame that this is a kid-friendly forum, as I've got numerous explanations of "VIP". ____________
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Nick Send message Joined: 11 Oct 11 Posts: 2687 Credit: 1,508,847 RAC: 1,141	Message 1245552 - Posted: 13 Jun 2012, 21:15:02 UTC - in response to Message 1245547. Last modified: 13 Jun 2012, 21:17:36 UTC
	& don't forget that the BOC has their own "VIP Lane". Again, it's a shame that this is a kid-friendly forum, as I've got numerous explanations of "VIP". These Olympics are an enforcement upon people against their will. It's occasions like this that expose just what the elitist in high office truly think about us mere mortals below...,."your there to be used". And guess who else works on this philosophy?.... You've got it, "The union Barons" ____________ The Kite Fliers -------------------- Kite fliers: An imaginary club of solo members, those who don't yet belong to a formal team so "fly their own kites" - as the saying goes.
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Chris S Volunteer tester Send message Joined: 19 Nov 00 Posts: 22827 Credit: 4,530,195 RAC: 5,642	Message 1245775 - Posted: 14 Jun 2012, 7:09:03 UTC
	These Olympics are an enforcement upon people against their will. That is a bit of a broad brush statement there. Some people are not in favour of the Olympics, but I think you will find that the majority of people are. Pernaaly I'm not into sports, I haven't applied for any tickets, and in any case I would get a better view on the TV. OK its not the same as the atmosphere of actually being there, but I have volunteered to marshall the Torch and cycling races when they come through my town, so I am playing my part in it.
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msattler Volunteer tester Send message Joined: 9 Jul 00 Posts: 34229 Credit: 345,744,499 RAC: 551,157	Message 1245783 - Posted: 14 Jun 2012, 7:26:01 UTC - in response to Message 1245775.
	These Olympics are an enforcement upon people against their will. That is a bit of a broad brush statement there. Some people are not in favour of the Olympics, but I think you will find that the majority of people are. Pernaaly I'm not into sports, I haven't applied for any tickets, and in any case I would get a better view on the TV. OK its not the same as the atmosphere of actually being there, but I have volunteered to marshall the Torch and cycling races when they come through my town, so I am playing my part in it. I think that being chosen to host the Olympics is quite a feather in one's hat. And, whether some are not in favor of it or not, it does pump a ton of money into their regional economy. ____________ ****** "Ask not, what your kitty can do for you. Ask what you can do for your kitty." As it is kitten, so shall it be done.
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Chris S Volunteer tester Send message Joined: 19 Nov 00 Posts: 22827 Credit: 4,530,195 RAC: 5,642	Message 1245824 - Posted: 14 Jun 2012, 11:22:01 UTC Last modified: 14 Jun 2012, 11:25:39 UTC
	I think that being chosen to host the Olympics is quite a feather in one's hat. The IOC do vet Countries applications quite strongly, and there have been many accusations of behind the scenes politics and buggins turn. But yes it is an honour to host the Olympics, we last did it in 1948. I can just vaguely remember it, as that year we bought our first house as distinct from renting, and that rather overshadowed things for our family. And, whether some are not in favour of it or not, it does pump a ton of money into their regional economy. Not sure about that. It may yet cost this country more to host them than any income derived from it. But you have to offset that against better road and rail links and the Docklands regeneration, which wouldn't have happened otherwise. What is an an unquantifiable is people tempted to visit the UK for the first time, who just might become frequent repeat visitors in the future. You are always going to get the professional miseries who say it's a waste of money, bah humbug etc. Well sod 'em!! the majority of the UK are happy about it. And if you factor out tabloid newspapers desperate to maintain circulation, and avoid redundancies, it's all basically good. It's going to cost a lot more than initially envisaged, of course it is, it was always going to, we all knew that from day 1. And you can bet that there is a Government contingency fund somewhere that will deal with that. OK the Taxpayer one way or another will end up footing the bill, but I still think overall it is worth it. If any sort of Olympic souvenir takes your fancy Mark, PM me your addy and I'll see what I can do for you. But we really need to continue this in the Olympics thread, not here in the Union thread :-)))
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WinterKnight Volunteer tester Send message Joined: 18 May 99 Posts: 6827 Credit: 17,166,250 RAC: 25,390	Message 1245848 - Posted: 14 Jun 2012, 12:20:56 UTC - in response to Message 1245783.
	These Olympics are an enforcement upon people against their will. That is a bit of a broad brush statement there. Some people are not in favour of the Olympics, but I think you will find that the majority of people are. Pernaaly I'm not into sports, I haven't applied for any tickets, and in any case I would get a better view on the TV. OK its not the same as the atmosphere of actually being there, but I have volunteered to marshall the Torch and cycling races when they come through my town, so I am playing my part in it. I think that being chosen to host the Olympics is quite a feather in one's hat. And, whether some are not in favor of it or not, it does pump a ton of money into their regional economy. Not sure Montreal would agree. 1976 Summer Olympics Legacy
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Chris S Volunteer tester Send message Joined: 19 Nov 00 Posts: 22827 Credit: 4,530,195 RAC: 5,642	Message 1289815 - Posted: 30 Sep 2012, 19:38:31 UTC
	At my request the Moderators have kindly agreed to unlock this thread. It went a bit askew before with the Olympics stuff, but now back on track to Trade Unions. Union Funding Mr McCluskey told the newspaper union members were "furious" with Labour's "crazy" decision to back a pay freeze in the public sector and he threatened to withdraw constituency funding for MPs who were not in line with the union's position. "We should only be supporting those constituencies where their vision of the type of future that we want is in line with ours," he said. So that others outside of the UK have a bit of background here, as has been said elsewhere, UK political parties can only spend so much of their own funds on electioneering. They rely upon benefactors and sponsors to supply the many millions that elections cost to run. In the case of the Tory party that is traditionally from middle and upper class land owners, also called the County set. Labour on the other hand has always been bankrolled by the trade unions on the understanding that they get a say in employment legislation and other matters that directly affect them. The Lib Dems usually survive by local fundraising from their constituency parties, although there are a couple of generous donors. So what are we to make of Mr McCluskey's statement? You let us run the country else we are not paying up front?
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Sirius B Volunteer tester Send message Joined: 26 Dec 00 Posts: 6751 Credit: 1,283,817 RAC: 656	Message 1289823 - Posted: 30 Sep 2012, 19:58:31 UTC - in response to Message 1289815.
	I hope not. If this festers long enough, I can foresee another "Winter of Discontent" & those "Union Muppets" will then see even tighter legal restrictions which will not benefit their members, in fact, it could be the cause of reducing union membership even further. They already realised this from the past by merging - carry on the way they're headed & merging won't help them at all. ____________
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John Clark Volunteer tester Send message Joined: 29 Sep 99 Posts: 15838 Credit: 4,356,364 RAC: 74	Message 1289838 - Posted: 30 Sep 2012, 20:30:16 UTC
	Tell that one to the Unions, where financial responsibility and business survivability is a low priority ... ____________ It's good to be back amongst friends and colleagues
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Chris S Volunteer tester Send message Joined: 19 Nov 00 Posts: 22827 Credit: 4,530,195 RAC: 5,642	Message 1289839 - Posted: 30 Sep 2012, 20:32:06 UTC
	Well it may even be a bit more serious than that. Labour funding A year ago over 90% of Labour party funding came from the Unions. If they are now threatening to withdraw that money, as they seem to be in certain cases, where will the funding come from in the future? A political party that cannot campaign cannot win. That could alter the political landscape in the UK. The rank and file of the Labour party favoured the elder brother David Milliband as leader, but the Unions wouldn't support him because he wanted to stand up to them. They used their block vote for the weaker Ed Milliband who they judged would do as he was told. John Prescott was only made deputy PM because he could control the votes at the TUC Conference, so that they were favourable to the Government. Is it right that a party that has been in government and may be again, is controlled by Union string pulling? And yes if they throw their toys out of the pram we could yet see another winter of discontent or even a general strike.
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Sirius B Volunteer tester Send message Joined: 26 Dec 00 Posts: 6751 Credit: 1,283,817 RAC: 656	Message 1289847 - Posted: 30 Sep 2012, 20:46:43 UTC - in response to Message 1289839.
	Christ, I hope not. Don't want to go through all that crap & picket lines....didn't do it back then, but now, wouldn't hesitate...get in the way of me in a 44 tonner... .....Ooops, sorry officer, my brakes failed! ____________
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John Clark Volunteer tester Send message Joined: 29 Sep 99 Posts: 15838 Credit: 4,356,364 RAC: 74	Message 1289848 - Posted: 30 Sep 2012, 20:48:00 UTC
	A goodly number of us remember the Union/Labour Government cosying "Beer and sandwich" sessions, and the total irresponsible Union activities during the whole of the 1970s. I am sure we do not want a repeat of that, especially as it was the first shot Labour had, and succeeded, in wrecking the UK economy. In 2008/09 they succeeded again under that dour Chancellor then rubbish Prime Minister. ____________ It's good to be back amongst friends and colleagues
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James Sotherden Volunteer moderator Send message Joined: 16 May 99 Posts: 6051 Credit: 14,704,673 RAC: 17,609	Message 1290030 - Posted: 1 Oct 2012, 12:50:22 UTC
	Are you talking about all unions or just the unions that if they go on a national strike it will cripple transportaion. Like trains, buses, taxi's and Airports, Dockyards and such? ____________
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John Clark Volunteer tester Send message Joined: 29 Sep 99 Posts: 15838 Credit: 4,356,364 RAC: 74	Message 1290040 - Posted: 1 Oct 2012, 13:43:11 UTC
	All unions at the time (1970s) ____________ It's good to be back amongst friends and colleagues
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Sirius B Volunteer tester Send message Joined: 26 Dec 00 Posts: 6751 Credit: 1,283,817 RAC: 656	Message 1290458 - Posted: 2 Oct 2012, 23:10:23 UTC
	Ah to be a union head.... ...definitely got to be the life of riley.... Scargill not done yet ____________
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Message boards : Politics : Trade Unions - For or Against?