Cable Forum

Cable Forum (https://www.cableforum.uk/board/index.php)
-   Current Affairs (https://www.cableforum.uk/board/forumdisplay.php?f=20)
-   -   Summer-Autumn of discontent (https://www.cableforum.uk/board/showthread.php?t=33711266)

1andrew1 22-08-2022 10:03
Summer-Autumn of discontent
 
I've not really known a time like it for strikes and proposed strikes in my working life!

I've seen we have the following, there are probably a few more too.
  • Reach plc journalists (Express, Mirror, Star, Manchester Evening News and other regionals)
  • Criminal barristers
  • Felixstowe dock workers - Britain's largest port
  • Tube drivers
  • Train drivers and Network Rail strike
  • BT Group engineers
  • Royal Mail

Sources:

---------- Post added at 10:03 ---------- Previous post was at 09:43 ----------

Just seen this comprehensive list has now been published!

Notable additions are AQA exam board workers, Unite members in waste, recycling, and street cleaning in Edinburgh, Unite members employed by DHL in Scotland and Northern Ireland, hitting supplies to Sainsbury's stores.
https://news.sky.com/story/who-is-go...-when-12668354

Jaymoss 22-08-2022 10:43
Re: Summer-Autumn of discontent
 
People have had enough of being a slave to the wage making rich men richer. Capitalism will fail eventually.

Chris 22-08-2022 10:50
Re: Summer-Autumn of discontent
 
“<insert season> of discontent” has become a tabloid cliche as tired as suffixing -gate onto the latest political scandal. The reality is that the winter of discontent and the Watergate scandal became emblematic of trade union strife/political sculduggery because they were exceptional examples of their type.

I doubt anyone old enough to actually remember the industrial relations of the late 70s through to the mid 80s (and the winter of 1978-79 in particular) would agree the present situation is at anything like the same scale - nor could it ever become so, as trade union membership is a mere fraction today of what it was, and the country’s essential services are no longer operated by any of the large, State-owned utilities or other corporations that could be brought to a complete nationwide standstill at the whim of a single Trade Union Baron.

Having said all that, the breadth of industrial action now underway in the UK has no recent precedent and there are interesting times ahead.

nomadking 22-08-2022 11:34
Re: Summer-Autumn of discontent
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jaymoss (Post 36131976)
People have had enough of being a slave to the wage making rich men richer. Capitalism will fail eventually.
And how many in that list could possibly make "rich men richer"? Tube Drivers? Council Workers?

Chris 22-08-2022 12:19
Re: Summer-Autumn of discontent
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by nomadking (Post 36131984)
And how many in that list could possibly make "rich men richer"? Tube Drivers? Council Workers?
Most of the employers listed in the OP have shareholders. Instead of asking vague questions, why don’t you just make a point?

nomadking 22-08-2022 12:41
Re: Summer-Autumn of discontent
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Chris (Post 36131990)
Most of the employers listed in the OP have shareholders. Instead of asking vague questions, why don’t you just make a point?
Tube Drivers? Council Staff? Barristers? Who is being made rich there? Pensioners via Pension Funds?
Why shouldn't businesses make profits?
Nowhere near as vague as "making rich men richer".

Chris 22-08-2022 12:43
Re: Summer-Autumn of discontent
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by nomadking (Post 36131992)
Tube Drivers? Council Staff? Barristers? Who is being made rich there? Pensioners via Pension Funds?
Why shouldn't businesses make profits?
Nowhere near as vague as "making rich men richer".
Please address your point with regard to the majority of the employers listed in the OP, who have shareholders.

Jaymoss has alleged that these businesses, and their owners, are profiting by paying their employees less than their labour is worth. Is that a fair comment or not?

Mr K 22-08-2022 14:59
Re: Summer-Autumn of discontent
 
The barristers all out indefinite strike is an interesting one, no token days of action for them. Not even the rail workers have gone for that. Presumably they are confident the Gov will have to negotiate faced with such action.
Might persuade others to do the same if they get what they want.

papa smurf 22-08-2022 15:16
Re: Summer-Autumn of discontent
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mr K (Post 36132005)
The barristers all out indefinite strike is an interesting one, no token days of action for them. Not even the rail workers have gone for that. Presumably they are confident the Gov will have to negotiate faced with such action.
Might persuade others to do the same if they get what they want.
They've been offered 15% but want 25% my answer would be ok now the offer is 10%

Hugh 22-08-2022 15:21
Re: Summer-Autumn of discontent
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by papa smurf (Post 36132006)
They've been offered 15% but want 25% my answer would be ok now the offer is 10%
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-62629776

Quote:
The CBA is asking for a 25% rise in pay for legal aid work, representing defendants who could not otherwise afford lawyers.

Members have rejected the government's 15% pay offer, saying it would not kick in immediately or apply to existing cases…

… Responding to comments that criminal lawyers were perceived to be well paid, she admitted those high up the pay scale were "very fortunate". But she said the median pay for a junior barrister was £12,700 per year.
"That's why they cannot survive doing criminal work, and that's why they're walking away," Ms Heeley said…

… Meanwhile, new criminal barristers can earn as little as £9,000 once costs, including transport, are factored in, while some barristers say the time they spend preparing cases means their hourly earnings are below minimum wage.
Barristers with zero, one or two years of practice earned a median of £25,100 before expenses and a net figure of £18,800 after expenses.

papa smurf 22-08-2022 15:27
Re: Summer-Autumn of discontent
 
They should apply for universal credit if the pay is so low.

TheDaddy 22-08-2022 15:34
Re: Summer-Autumn of discontent
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Hugh (Post 36132007)
The bit about it not kicking in immediately should be better highlighted imo, there's 60000 cases that won't be covered by this rise

---------- Post added at 15:34 ---------- Previous post was at 15:32 ----------

Quote:
Originally Posted by papa smurf (Post 36132008)
They should apply for universal credit if the pay is so low.
Or just be paid a minimum wage

papa smurf 22-08-2022 15:40
Re: Summer-Autumn of discontent
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by TheDaddy (Post 36132009)
The bit about it not kicking in immediately should be better highlighted imo, there's 60000 cases that won't be covered by this rise

---------- Post added at 15:34 ---------- Previous post was at 15:32 ----------



Or just be paid a minimum wage
£ 9,50 per hour I'm ok with that as long as it's reflected in their prices.

TheDaddy 22-08-2022 16:08
Re: Summer-Autumn of discontent
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by papa smurf (Post 36132011)
£ 9,50 per hour I'm ok with that as long as it's reflected in their prices.
That's what they get, that's their price per hour, £9.50 odd, after two years practising of course, before then they don't get the minimum, they get less. Don't bother replying to me if you're going to make out you don't understand that, got better things do

Mr K 22-08-2022 17:03
Re: Summer-Autumn of discontent
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by papa smurf (Post 36132008)
They should apply for universal credit if the pay is so low.
Even the staff at your beloved Daily Express are walking out.
Quote:
BREAKING: Staff at The Daily Express (which frequently warns of the dangers of "militant unions") are set to go on strike over low pay. This is really funny, isn't it? x
https://mobile.twitter.com/BBCLauraK...12440374317057

nffc 22-08-2022 17:12
Re: Summer-Autumn of discontent
 
Get agency/temp staff in to cover them whilst they're refusing to work (if skilled enough/possible) and leave them to it...

papa smurf 22-08-2022 17:13
Re: Summer-Autumn of discontent
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mr K (Post 36132016)
Even the staff at your beloved Daily Express are walking out.

https://mobile.twitter.com/BBCLauraK...12440374317057
Now I'm a pensioner on a mere pittance ,i could do with a 25% rise.

Hugh 22-08-2022 17:51
Re: Summer-Autumn of discontent
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by nffc (Post 36132017)
Get agency/temp staff in to cover them whilst they're refusing to work (if skilled enough/possible) and leave them to it...
Not many temps with a three years qualifying law degree, and a one year’s Bar course and a one-year pupillage, then a year or two’s practical experience…

nffc 22-08-2022 18:02
Re: Summer-Autumn of discontent
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Hugh (Post 36132022)
Not many temps with a three years qualifying law degree, and a one year’s Bar course and a one-year pupillage, then a year or two’s practical experience…
Well, not possible in all cases (pun not intended), but there will be in some jobs, and maybe some people who aren't currently working for whatever reason who have left such professions and could come back on a temp basis.


In principle i was really thinking about people working on the docks than barristers..

Pierre 22-08-2022 18:08
Re: Summer-Autumn of discontent
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by nffc (Post 36132025)
In principle i was really thinking about people working on the docks
Tommy used to work on the docks!

Chris 22-08-2022 18:12
Re: Summer-Autumn of discontent
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Pierre (Post 36132027)
Tommy used to work on the docks!
It’s OK, Gina’s got some extra shifts at the diner.

Hugh 22-08-2022 19:20
Re: Summer-Autumn of discontent
 
You’re halfway there…

Paul 22-08-2022 20:22
Re: Summer-Autumn of discontent
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Chris (Post 36131993)
...paying their employees less than their labour is worth. Is that a fair comment or not?
Who decides what "their labour is worth" ?

Chris 22-08-2022 20:37
Re: Summer-Autumn of discontent
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Paul (Post 36132038)
Who decides what "their labour is worth" ?
The market, collective bargaining, or a combination of the two.

Mr K 22-08-2022 21:01
Re: Summer-Autumn of discontent
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Chris (Post 36132041)
The market, collective bargaining, or a combination of the two.
and/or the public getting irate and wondering why public services aren't being delivered any longer , and bringing our elected representatives to account.

Losing votes is when it really gets serious.

richard-john56 22-08-2022 21:45
Re: Summer-Autumn of discontent
 
Liz Thatcher Trust PM for 6 months bets are now open.

Julian 22-08-2022 22:10
Re: Summer-Autumn of discontent
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by richard-john56 (Post 36132044)
Liz Thatcher Trust PM for 6 months bets are now open.
Any chance of translating that nonsense into English......

Pierre 22-08-2022 22:18
Re: Summer-Autumn of discontent
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by richard-john56 (Post 36132044)
Liz Thatcher Trust PM for 6 months bets are now open.
I can’t see her fighting the next election, it depends totally on the economy. If she can possibly narrow the gap to Labour, it will be Starmer under pressure.

1andrew1 06-01-2023 16:05
Re: Summer-Autumn of discontent
 
This looks like a significant development - a return to lashings of ginger ale and sarnies at No 10? BoJo can probably recommend some good caterers.

Quote:
Rishi Sunak proposes talks with UK union leaders in effort to halt strikes

Prime minister calls meetings for Monday to discuss pay settlements amid wave of industrial action

Rishi Sunak has invited Britain’s trade union leaders to talks on Monday in an attempt to find a solution to the wave of disruptive strikes across the UK.

The prime minister said that government departments had written to relevant unions inviting them for talks.

Workers including nurses, postal staff and train drivers have been taking industrial action to demand higher pay amid the cost of living crisis.

Ambulance workers and nurses are due to strike again this month, and the government’s problems could soon be compounded by further walkouts affecting the NHS.

The British Medical Association said on Friday that junior doctors would stage a 72 hour walkout in March, in which they would not provide emergency cover, if strikes were endorsed in a ballot that opens on Monday.

Meanwhile ballots of teachers will conclude next week, with strikes affecting schools possible from the end of the month.

Strikes are also spreading across the civil service, with Unison organising a one-day walkout on January 18 by staff at the Environment Agency, including those who maintain flood defences.
https://www.ft.com/content/901e383f-...6-688c62a073eb

Chris 06-01-2023 16:10
Re: Summer-Autumn of discontent
 
Yay, beer and sandwiches. Trade Union leaders love that trope almost as much as they like being called barons. :D

TheDaddy 06-01-2023 17:07
Re: Summer-Autumn of discontent
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by 1andrew1 (Post 36143277)
This looks like a significant development - a return to lashings of ginger ale and sarnies at No 10? BoJo can probably recommend some good caterers.
But what can they do, it's all down to the independent pay review boards, there's no blame or responsibility for the government and nothing they can do


All times are GMT +1. The time now is 15:27.

Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2025, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
All Posts and Content are © Cable Forum