I'm starting to find Unions and the role they now play in our workforce rather interesting. I studied the trade union movement at University as part of my degree from their idealistic creation as a worthy barrier to prevent the exploitation of the workforce. So far, so good but be warned a sweeping generalisation is about to burrow into the next few sentances. They seem to increasingly resemble organisations which do all they can to protect the vested interests of their members. It's a move from promoting solidarity and equality to one reinforcing divisions and ensuring inequality. The difference in pension provision between the private and public sector seems to be a case in point. No matter the circumstances, be careful what you do, have Union, will strike. Maybe working has changed my viewpoint from my student days. In the current economic climate when pay freezes are the norm, on the HRmagazine website, I read the story of Unison demanding a rethink local government pay deals.
According to HRmagazine, the spokesperson, Heather Wakefiled commented on the current offer: "Who can honestly expect us to consider this acceptable? It is just not realistic and we know employers have already put aside money for the increase of between 1.5% and 2.5%. How can they hope to recruit and retain enough social workers to make sure children at risk are protected when they are offering a ridiculously low amount - what sort of carrot is this?"
I agree, Heather. And well done for associating the danger to children with your pay rise. Others might accuse you of highly cynical emotional blackmail. I wouldn't of course. I echo your words. Well, your first sentence anyway. The vast majority of the population work for private firms, many of which have introduced pay freezes on the basis that this is a better alternative to redundancies. We're also aware that all of us will be facing a tax increase in the short to medium term in order to pay back the fantastical amount of money that has been spent bailing the banks out and preventing a full blown collapse of our economy. For better or for worse this is the situation that we are all in. Things are tight for all of us. We're all making sure that we are living to our means and not spending unecessarily. Private and public sector. Union members and not. The pay rises that you demand for your small section of society, are, of course, funded by all of us.
Solidarity indeed, sister.…..
