Strikes need more explanation

[Coldicote]

We hear a lot in the news about strikes or threatened strikes - BA, railways, gas, etc. The Unions almost invariably give pay and 'working conditions', or 'working practices', as reasons. They don't explain the pay situation or draw comparisons and it would be easier to understand the problem if they did. Even more vexing is that they don't say what is wrong with working conditions or working practices. Does anyone know what they are talking about?

[ELVIS68]

Working conditions/practices, basically they want to chop and change our shifts around to suit them, so instead of a gang of five working an afternoon shift, they want only two blokes in and the other three re-rostered to morning shift or night shift, they also want us to cover other areas which we are not familiar with and do other jobs which we know sweet f.a about.

They also want to stop annual leave being taken over christmas, bad enough working most weekends let alone christmas day

[Buenchico]

Go to the websites of the relevant unions and look for their press releases. (You sometimes need to go via the sitemap to find the 'Media' section). e.g:

RMT (National rail dispute):
http://www.rmt.org.uk...1stParentNodeID=89732

RMT (London Underground dispute):
http://www.rmt.org.uk...1stParentNodeID=89732
and
http://www.rmt.org.uk...1stParentNodeID=89732

Unite (BA dispute):
http://www.unitetheun...rned_to_back_off.aspx

Chris

[BilSuth]

There is little sympathy for strikes nowadays because (1) there is the "they're lucky to have a job" mentality and (2) everybody else has grievances too as bean-counters rule the roost and employers ride roughshod over emasculated unions. They all want fewer and fewer people to be doing more and more work for less and less reward in real terms. That's the way to go in a capitalist society.
A typical grievance is that when I was a civil servant, there was a pay comparison system which guaranteed (?) you would be brought up to "outside" rates every second year, regardless of what your rise was in the intervening year. No need to strike then ... until Government pay limits prevented the catch-up in year two! No exceptions. So you fell behind and stayed behind.
Without the strike weapon, which no-one resorts to easily as it costs money, employers can do what they like with impunity, including breaking agreements.

[Coldicote]

Thank you all for these interesting answers. The links you give, Buenchico, refer to press releases that throw light on the problems. To quote a BA extract - "Working hours will be extended, crew levels will be slashed, career opportunities will disappear and new starters will be brought in on bargain basement wages". I wonder what are 'bargain basement wages' and how did existing working conditions come into being in the first place. More people seem to watch TV than read newspapers these days and it would help understanding if TV carried more detailed information on these issues. Maybe others would like to comment?

[DrFilth]

( I wonder what are 'bargain basement wages )

sounds like they want to start new people on the minimum wage

[DrFilth]

Coldicote where i used to work there was over 20 different pay scales. when we got a pay rise of say 2.5% they would print a sheet of the pay scales up and place it on the notice boards .people who worked there would ask what scale am i on ?.
can you imagine a union rep trying to explain all the different scales to you on tv.
for example i was cp01 you would also have cpo , cpo1a, cpo2 etc
eng1, engs, engsf, engsf7.

[McMouse]

Will someone explain why people take jobs with these employers who have a long history of dispute with various unions and immediately start complaining about the pay and working conditions, and then support strike action.

[DrFilth]

McMouse if you had worked for them for 12 years and earned £24,000 and they wanted to drop your wages to £16,000 ( just for an eample) and make you work longer hours would you be happy ?

[McMouse]

I'm talking about new joiners.

[DrFilth]

the new joiners are probably the ones that are not on strike.

[McMouse]

My niece is on strike and knew the score when she joined the company.

[DrFilth]

well your niece will be able to tell you the truth about what is happening ?

[Coldicote]

Would established employees (BA or railways for example) actually face a pay cut and in what way would working conditions be affected? Would it mean longer hours? I've never been a member of a Trade Union and am not trying to be awkward - just interested.

[ELVIS68]

Strikes off for now

Damn, was looking forward to a few nights off