2011 has seen a major battle between unions and the government, over the public sector workers. Many strike actions have been threatened towards the government, but the rally support that they expected has been lacking size.
With the 1st December seeing the last UK strike, many expectations of those union workers were high, and predictions of the ‘biggest strike in a generation didn’t deliver. Only 14 job centres out of more than 900 across the UK closed, according to the Cabinet Office. Further more, the Prime Minster labelled it as ”something of a damp squib”.
But why are all these strikes taking place? Of course the cuts of the public sector have a role to play, but is it not being hyped up by the Labour party, who receive nearly 90% of its funding from the unions? The Labour party is currently within the ‘back pocket’ of the union’s generals, who use the party as a ‘political puppet’. This clear weakness means that these strikes are made out to be something more than they are, being elaborated to become ‘wide spread UK devastation’.
With the government not standing down – to the union’s proposals of the cuts required, the UK’s two largest teacher’s unions – NUT and NASUWT – have threatened to take action again in 2012. But with their last strike not going to plan, is there any point in trying to create civil unrest? We are starting to develop so economic strength and the cuts the government proposes are needed to continue that economic growth. The government should stay strong and stick to its decision, if we want to avoid the eurozone crash.
One Comment on "Last time it failed"
I think the difference is that the private sector have been on the end of this downturn since 2008 – layoffs, lower wages, longer hours. The public sector have only just started being hit.
The other issues I feel are:
Salaries
Union leaders lash out at “fat cat bankers” whilst being on money most of us would consider “fat cat”
Pensions
Who was it that people feel screwed their pensions? Step forward a certain Gordon Brown – the leader of the party supported by the unions.
Over Staffing
Speak to many people and they’ll have a story of a public sector that has had a couldn’t care less attitude. However speak to a trade unionist and they’ll mention nurses, firemen etc. They never admit that there is anything wrong and that every public sector worker is worth their weight in gold**
Politically Motivated
The trade unions were starting for a fight even BEFORE the election. Labour went back on their promise not to charge for university places – but where were the strikes and marches? Oh no, you can’t bite the hand that feeds…wait till the Tories get in.
As much as I don’t agree with everything that happened with the miners to start with, I’m glad the government defeated Scargill and his mates. I want to be run by and elected party, not some champagne socialist with delusions of grandeur!
** Weight in gold at BEFORE Gordon Brown sold it off rates