Summer-Autumn of discontent

1andrew1 · 22-08-2022, 10:03

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

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

“<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

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jaymoss

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

Quote:

Originally Posted by nomadking

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

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris

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

Quote:

Originally Posted by nomadking

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

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

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr K

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

Quote:

Originally Posted by papa smurf

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

They should apply for universal credit if the pay is so low.

TheDaddy · 22-08-2022, 15:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hugh

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-62629776

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

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

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheDaddy

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

Quote:

Originally Posted by papa smurf

£ 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

Quote:

Originally Posted by papa smurf

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