Omega Owners Forum
Chat Area => General Discussion Area => Topic started by: Nickbat on 14 September 2010, 16:06:34
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Brendan Barber 14/9/10:
Trade unions chief Brendan Barber has warned that big spending cuts will make Britain a 'darker, brutish and more frightening place'.
Addressing the TUC's annual gathering he said an 'ideological clamour' for a smaller state was behind cuts planned by the Tory-Lib Dem coalition.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-11283035
Brendan Barber 2/5/09:
I am proud to be the first general secretary of the Trades Union Congress to come to Cuba - especially so on the occasion of your May Day celebrations, on the 50th anniversary of the revolution, and on the 70th anniversary of the CTC
Let me begin by saluting the huge social achievements of the Cuban people over the past five decades, delivering levels of literacy, numeracy, public health and access to clean water that would shame many richer nations.
Viva Cuba, Viva Revolution!
http://www.tuc.org.uk/international/tuc-16398-f0.cfm?theme=brendan
BBC News, 14/09/10:
Cuba has announced radical plans to lay off huge numbers of state employees, to help revive the communist country's struggling economy.
The Cuban labour federation said more than a million workers would lose their jobs - half of them by March next year.
Those laid off will be encouraged to become self-employed or join new private enterprises, on which some of the current restrictions will be eased.
Analysts say it is the biggest private sector shift since the 1959 revolution.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-11291267
Brendan Barber (possibly): DOH! ;) ;D ;D
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Saw this Cuban story on the news this morning. Ironically it will probably be a lot easier for the Cuban Govt. to implement, as they dont have a load of lefty, Che Guevara wannabe, union leaders trying to lead their public sector worker around by their collective nose - trying desperately to stop the Govt. unhitching the wagons from their enormous gravy train. If they lose members they lose money and ultimately lose their own career nests which they have spent many years feathering. Anyone remember the all powerful TGWU ? doesnt exist anymore afaik, iirc it got so small and weak it had to merge with others and rebrand itself. ::)
The 1970,s are dead and gone. ;)
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Brendan Barber 14/9/10:
Trade unions chief Brendan Barber has warned that big spending cuts will make Britain a 'darker, brutish and more frightening place'.
Addressing the TUC's annual gathering he said an 'ideological clamour' for a smaller state was behind cuts planned by the Tory-Lib Dem coalition.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-11283035
Brendan Barber 2/5/09:
I am proud to be the first general secretary of the Trades Union Congress to come to Cuba - especially so on the occasion of your May Day celebrations, on the 50th anniversary of the revolution, and on the 70th anniversary of the CTC
Let me begin by saluting the huge social achievements of the Cuban people over the past five decades, delivering levels of literacy, numeracy, public health and access to clean water that would shame many richer nations.
Viva Cuba, Viva Revolution!
http://www.tuc.org.uk/international/tuc-16398-f0.cfm?theme=brendan
BBC News, 14/09/10:
Cuba has announced radical plans to lay off huge numbers of state employees, to help revive the communist country's struggling economy.
The Cuban labour federation said more than a million workers would lose their jobs - half of them by March next year.
Those laid off will be encouraged to become self-employed or join new private enterprises, on which some of the current restrictions will be eased.
Analysts say it is the biggest private sector shift since the 1959 revolution.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-11291267
Brendan Barber (possibly): DOH! ;) ;D ;D
It's interesting just how much things have changed..... even in Cuba. Whatever next?....We love America posters ::)
However...it is not reasonable to assume that jobs lost in the public sector......will be created in the private sector. :-/ :'( :y
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recently attended a shopstewards course for my union and found it very useful and enjoyable. I think that many people joining as shopstewards these days however are much different than the militant "up the workers" image of the past. Many are older people like myself( ;D) who ,because of that, often have far broader job histories including management roles. Because of this they tend to be able to appreciate the bigger picture and see their roles very much as working with management to achieve the right and fair results-though ,of course , there are sadly still many managers who need "educating" about what they can and cannot do!My point is that unions are moving on and changing, just as many managers/companies are. A few of us were tallking and we all said the same things really;1)we wanted to be reps because we wanted to ensure our employees were treated fairly and legally (our "moral compass" if you like as none of us are paid) 2)we enjoyed learning new stuff about the law/rights etc and the shared learning 3)whilst we all acknowledged the importance of recruitmennt in terms of more members more bargaining power, we didnt like the latent links to the TUC (whilst realizing that the union relied on the TUC for much of the very good stuff it does) and the Labour party4)whilst not quite feeling like lepers none of us there were Labour voters last time around as we all had similar feelings towards the big govt and results of New Labour. Thats not to say we agreed with all of the Cons/Libdem policies by any means. As "Thatchers children" we remembered the good and bad of those years whether it be the much needed curtailing of the 70s unions or the more damaging legacies of her "me "generation. So please dont tar all unions with the same brush and remember that in these testing financial times especially they do a vital job in trying to ensure that their members get a fair deal!Power to the people! ;D :y
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I've always believed the Trades Union to be an essential element in the workplace where the welfare and rights of those employed there are concerned.
Unfortunately the leadership of various groups within the 'movement' appears to be stricken with the same expectation of those in the 'me generation' referred to by Jerry.
The inclination of those in such lofty positions to expect great reward and power for their effort has burdened the Trades Union movement as a whole and, as far as I'm concerned, renders their protestations and outrage somewhat invalid.
I'm not about to listen any lectures from Barber, Crowe and company about the perceived iniquities of the present system and of how the coalition government proposes to attempt to address this terribly sorry old boy, I am a little tireding gap in public finances.
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Hope your moderate/sensible approach will become widespread Jerry.Its those big boys at the top, on the power trip who worry me. :y
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It'll be interesting next month, when the full picture on cuts begins to emerge, just how readily the populace will be to accept hardship dished out by a privileged few. DC considers himself middle-class what planet does he live on that the son of a wealthy stockbroker, married to the daughter of a baronet is in any way the middle?
I reckon we'll see a surge in trade union membership soon.
Power to the People! :y
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It'll be interesting next month, when the full picture on cuts begins to emerge, just how readily the populace will be to accept hardship dished out by a privileged few. DC considers himself middle-class what planet does he live on that the son of a wealthy stockbroker, married to the daughter of a baronet is in any way the middle?
I reckon we'll see a surge in trade union membership soon.
Power to the People! :y
Just remember to opt out of financing the Labour party
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Times are a changing that is for sure.
I cannot wait to see how :
Getting people off benefits and into work
sits with
Reducing excess (i.e. jobs) in the public sector.
Maybe just maybe there will be more private sector jobs. No get a grip, the banks still aren't helping and there is the crisis.
Maybe we will have people taking to the streets after all. No get a grip this is Britain we are talking about not France. ;D ;D ;D
PS Banjax, hardship means different things to people.
To the middle class they will have to stop drinking Bollinger and inbibe M&S own brand
the lower classes will move from Stella to ASDA own brand.
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It'll be interesting next month, when the full picture on cuts begins to emerge, just how readily the populace will be to accept hardship dished out by a privileged few. DC considers himself middle-class what planet does he live on that the son of a wealthy stockbroker, married to the daughter of a baronet is in any way the middle?
I reckon we'll see a surge in trade union membership soon.
Power to the People! :y
Just remember to opt out of financing the Labour party
I've never given them a penny - and never will ;)
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It'll be interesting next month, when the full picture on cuts begins to emerge, just how readily the populace will be to accept hardship dished out by a privileged few. DC considers himself middle-class what planet does he live on that the son of a wealthy stockbroker, married to the daughter of a baronet is in any way the middle?
I reckon we'll see a surge in trade union membership soon.
Power to the People! :y
Just remember to opt out of financing the Labour party
I've never given them a penny - and never will ;)
They keep the opt out very quiet though don't they?
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It'll be interesting next month, when the full picture on cuts begins to emerge, just how readily the populace will be to accept hardship dished out by a privileged few. DC considers himself middle-class what planet does he live on that the son of a wealthy stockbroker, married to the daughter of a baronet is in any way the middle?
I reckon we'll see a surge in trade union membership soon.
Power to the People! :y
Just remember to opt out of financing the Labour party
I've never given them a penny - and never will ;)
They keep the opt out very quiet though don't they?
they must do - I've never heard of it :y but then I've never belonged to a union that was affiliated to labour :)
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I hate the trade union movement....What is the world coming to when a wealthy company (TORY) boss....is no longer allowed to use and abuse the great unwashed proletariat as and when he wishes?... :) ;)
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Anyone remember the all powerful TGWU ? doesnt exist anymore afaik, iirc it got so small and weak it had to merge with others and rebrand itself. ::)
The 1970,s are dead and gone. ;)
My dad was a member of TGWU for many years in its heyday, when his employer falsely accused him and 6 others of fiddling expenses the union abandoned him. When they did it to the rest of the workforce including shop stewards they strangely fought it tooth and nail. I don't particularly like the tories but if they happened to crush the unions totally i'd stand up and cheer.
Sorry this is one of my few pet hates >:(
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Recently went to a briefing about my companies pay awards and was very pleased at the result, a result in no small measure directly due to the unions role in the negotiations. I know many in other companies or public services who will not get a pay increase this year, nor did they last year or the year before so you have to put this in perspective. Moreover, emplyees of the union will not get a pay increase this year so they can hardly be accused of feathering their own nests. What does hack me off a bit though is the continuing underlining pressure -well,maybe pressure is too strong a word but you get my drift-that due to the union having integral links to the TUC we must all support the Labour party. Now I recognize the need to lobby to effect changes in the law but this seems wrong to me though I guess you could argue that there isnt really a better alternative to achieve results. Dont get me wrong, I fully sign up to the majority of the values the union has (eg equal opps/anti-racism etc) and I fully recognise that many of the rights we now take forgranted would not be there without the perseverance of the unions but I have a right to support whatever policies or political party I want. Private companies are there for one thing-to make their owners/shareholders money and providing jobs to them is just a side benefit. They wouldnt give out various pay increases unless they had to, there was always a benefit to the company. For example, Henry Ford didnt pay his workers more purely out of the goodness of his heart, he did it for sound business reasons (inc loyalty/productivity and the fact that they could earn enough to eventually buy a model T themselves and hence put money back into the company) and we cannot go back to relying on the philanthropic Quakerism of a Seebholm Rowntree or George Cadbury to look after their workers. For these reasons unions remain,for me, essential. What they must do is to move with the times and not try to be the lumbering dinasaurs they were in the past. How they manage to effect changes in law without being affiliated so strongly to the Labour party is the moot point
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Recently went to a briefing about my companies pay awards and was very pleased at the result, a result in no small measure directly due to the unions role in the negotiations. I know many in other companies or public services who will not get a pay increase this year, nor did they last year or the year before so you have to put this in perspective. Moreover, emplyees of the union will not get a pay increase this year so they can hardly be accused of feathering their own nests. What does hack me off a bit though is the continuing underlining pressure -well,maybe pressure is too strong a word but you get my drift-that due to the union having integral links to the TUC we must all support the Labour party. Now I recognize the need to lobby to effect changes in the law but this seems wrong to me though I guess you could argue that there isnt really a better alternative to achieve results. Dont get me wrong, I fully sign up to the majority of the values the union has (eg equal opps/anti-racism etc) and I fully recognise that many of the rights we now take forgranted would not be there without the perseverance of the unions but I have a right to support whatever policies or political party I want. Private companies are there for one thing-to make their owners/shareholders money and providing jobs to them is just a side benefit. They wouldnt give out various pay increases unless they had to, there was always a benefit to the company. For example, Henry Ford didnt pay his workers more purely out of the goodness of his heart, he did it for sound business reasons (inc loyalty/productivity and the fact that they could earn enough to eventually buy a model T themselves and hence put money back into the company) and we cannot go back to relying on the philanthropic Quakerism of a Seebholm Rowntree or George Cadbury to look after their workers. For these reasons unions remain,for me, essential. What they must do is to move with the times and not try to be the lumbering dinasaurs they were in the past. How they manage to effect changes in law without being affiliated so strongly to the Labour party is the moot point
I broadly agree.....J... :y