Have you been affected by industrial action this summer? How do the strikes make you feel? Have you missed pay from being unable to transport to work? Are you on the side of those striking or do you believe striking is unnecessary?

Striking is a last resort and we must all reserve the right to withdraw our labour when we feel our conditions are not being respected.

Workers who choose to strike must do so in an organised fashion. Workers who strike, can only legally do so, through a ballot, voting system. The anti union legislation, brought in by the Thatcher government means the only way any worker can fight for their rights is through industrial action and withdrawing their labour.

The recent rail strikes were voted for back in May by a mandate of 89% voting in favour of strike action and only 11% voting against. This is an outstanding agreement, done democratically. The way the western world works, democracy!

I sympathise with those in Britain who have been unable to attend work or any occasion due to the industrial action. Some workers, through no fault of their own may have even lost pay. This is not the fault of the RMT Union, this lays at the door of your employer. Did you know that those striking are not being paid by their employer? This demonstrates how prepared these workers are to fight for their conditions and rights!

Are you in a union? If you were maybe you could also vote for strike action, if you feel appropriate working conditions are not being honoured.

There is power in a union & unity is strength!

The transport secretary has failed in his duties of ensuring smooth transport. It is his duty to ensure the railways are running and he is expected to be involved in around the table talks, specifically, discussing avoiding industrial action at all cost!

He refused and shrugged off his responsibilities in the hopes of divide and rule tactics prevailing.

His tactics are failing and more and more workers are choosing to strike. He now wants to step in and is clearly on the side of railway bosses. A pay rise of 8% sounds pretty reasonable on paper doesn’t it? Wrong, they are not receiving an 8% pay rise, they are expected to accept an offer of 4% this year and 4% next year. It is a 4% pay rise, and it is a pathetic offer when inflation is already toppling 10% for this year alone. Who knows what uncertainties we may face next year and what level will inflation be at then?

I choose to stand in solidarity with those striking. Who do you choose to stand with?

First they came for the Communists
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a Communist
Then they came for the Socialists
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a Socialist
Then they came for the trade unionists
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a trade unionist
Then they came for the Jews
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a Jew
Then they came for me
And there was no one left
To speak out for me – Pastor Martin Niemöller

By

Thomas Lee McKee