Great Speech

[gWaPito]

are you a member of unite gWaPito , what would Thatcher think

I would hope she would think I was being a responsible adult with a family to care for. In this day and age where blame and claim is rife, only a fool would be without some sort of insurance.

This is not the dreadful 70's anymore Joe...unions then were trying to get the blood out of the proverbial stone. The proof of that was when the mines and our Micky mouse car industry basically closed down overnight.

Yes, I think our Margaret would be well shuffed that the ordinary worker was getting their share of whats rightly their's, a fair share of the spoils.

[bigmarco]

.

Having said that since our workforce opted for the UNITE Union back in 2003 my basic salary has doubled

You see COMRADE you and I are living proof that you dont need politicians to be guaranteed a decent wage for a weeks work. BROTHER all you need is a Unionised workplace to get what you deserve.
I believe that the Trades Unions contain people of all political viewpoints who understand the strengths of collective bargaining.

[Arthur Little]

I think our Margaret would be well shuffed that the ordinary worker was getting their share of whats rightly their's, a fair share of the spoils.

... I'm sure she would be ... if she weren't a senile

[Arthur Little]

You see COMRADE you and I are living proof that you dont need politicians to be guaranteed a decent wage for a weeks work. BROTHER all you need is a Unionised workplace to get what you deserve.
I believe that the Trades Unions contain people of all political viewpoints who understand the strengths of collective bargaining.

... also, Marco!

[bigmarco]

I would hope she would think I was being a responsible adult with a family to care for. In this day and age where blame and claim is rife, only a fool would be without some sort of insurance.

This is not the dreadful 70's anymore Joe...unions then were trying to get the blood out of the proverbial stone. The proof of that was when the mines and our Micky mouse car industry basically closed down overnight.

Yes, I think our Margaret would be well shuffed that the ordinary worker was getting their share of whats rightly their's, a fair share of the spoils.

Do you really think that Maggie would be chuffed that your helping to supply the Labour Party with 85% of it's income and that Unite more often than not is the biggest union donator.

[London_Manila]

This is why Crow is villified in the press. You don't have to like the mans politics but you cant argue that he fights for the working man.
We have 1000's of Bus Drivers fighting to be able to join the RMT in London because they know that their standard of living will improve.
This Austerity gets on my nerves. Expecting working people to pay for the sins of Bankers.

Of course Murdochs gutter press would have everybody believing that union members are just lefties trying to bring the country down (yawn)

Also for anybody even thinking about or daring to go on strike then they must be worst than Satan

They make such a big deal about union bosses getting paid over 100k (good luck to them)

Union membership is vital if we want to preserve our pay and conditions

Reading THE SUN newspaper and that guy Trevor kavanagh really winds me up
I disagree with about everything that clown says

They just think that people in employment should all be lucky to have jobs and if they had their way we would all be on the minimun wage with no conditions and we could all be sacked at the drop of a hat

For most working people the wages are way too low and they have not kept pace with inflation (not even close)
Eastern Europeans seem happy to work for peanuts and with this lot falling over themselves to work for low pay then the wages are never going to rise to where they should be !

[lastlid]

I have spent my whole working life in an industry where the Trade Unions have never really been able to take a foothold (unlike in Norway where the Trade Union movement in the oil industry is very strong).

I kind of believe in the need for them but always fear the dark days of Arthur Scargill etc etc

One of the attributes of unionisation was, ironically, one that I could have done with when I got laid of in 2010 after 30 years service. A strong union might well have kept me that job. Having said that. I did get a nice payoff and it took me just 7 weeks to find another job.

[joebloggs]

You see COMRADE

Comrade gWaPito, have you put money first before your Tory beliefs

[andy222]

Do you really think that Maggie would be chuffed that your helping to supply the Labour Party with 85% of it's income and that Unite more often than not is the biggest union donator.

This gets better. . What have I started?
On the subject of trade unions and communism I wonder how many on here have ever sat down and spoken to a communist? Instead of just believing what you read in the rags. Just my opinion.

[Manila_Paul]

Listened to Milliband make his speech today. Very interesting.

Lots of the usual social democratic language without any of the policies. If he is so concerned about inequality, as he says, then why doesn't he commit now to bringing back the 50p top rate? A very simply and small step but they won't even commit to it. They become more like the US Democrats every day. No wonder the right-wing press feel it is safe to back Labour again. Still, on balance, they probably won't screw things up quite as much as these idiots in government now. Clueless is not the word.

And I've never understood this idea that Labour have got/did not have no chance with Ed Miliband. It has been obvious since the Lib-Dems did the deal with the Tories that Labour would at least be the biggest party next time, whether Ed Miliband or Basil Brush was leader! Hell, if Lib-Dems had known pre-election then Gordon Brown would still be in Number 10 now or the very least we'd be looking at a Lab/Lib government.

Fact is, the Tories haven't won an election since 1992 and even that was a dubious (and certainly phyrric!) victory. The idea they have any chance in 2015 is absurd. They just haven't got the numbers anymore. The name is still a byword for scum for large parts of the country and the demographic of the party is seriously old. The last election was the absolute maximum push for them. They had everything in their favour and they STILL couldn't win. The best they can do is biggest party and that is unlikely to automatically equal government next time!

[Dedworth]

I kind of believe in the need for them but always fear the dark days of Arthur Scargill etc etc

He's taking the Bruvvers to court, petrified that they will remove his greedy snout from the trough

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-19806014

Former miners' leader Arthur Scargill has gone to the High Court to fight an attempt by his union to stop paying the cost of his London flat.

Mr Scargill, 74, says he was given use of the rented three-bed Barbican flat for life when he became president of the National Union of Mineworkers in 1982, a tenure that lasted 20 years.

He says under the union's rental terms he should have use of it until he dies.

The NUM says maintaining the flat costs £34,000 a year, which it cannot afford.

The union paid rent and expenses for the flat - rented from the Corporation of London - until 2011, apart from a period between 1985 and 1991 when Mr Scargill paid for it himself.

[lastlid]

This gets better. . What have I started?
On the subject of trade unions and communism I wonder how many on here have ever sat down and spoken to a communist? Instead of just believing what you read in the rags. Just my opinion.

I worked with a heap of Russians back in 1980 on a couple of Russian rigs in Libya. They were okay. Couldnt much understand a word they said, nor they what I said. We had to use an interpreter.

Great chess players though, all of em.

They got paid peanuts and ate a heap of cabbage stew, almost every meal.

[lastlid]

.......whether Ed Miliband or Basil Brush was leader!

Bring on Basil Brush.

[andy222]

He's taking the Bruvvers to court, petrified that they will remove his greedy snout from the trough

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-19806014

Former miners' leader Arthur Scargill has gone to the High Court to fight an attempt by his union to stop paying the cost of his London flat.

Mr Scargill, 74, says he was given use of the rented three-bed Barbican flat for life when he became president of the National Union of Mineworkers in 1982, a tenure that lasted 20 years.

He says under the union's rental terms he should have use of it until he dies.

The NUM says maintaining the flat costs £34,000 a year, which it cannot afford.

The union paid rent and expenses for the flat - rented from the Corporation of London - until 2011, apart from a period between 1985 and 1991 when Mr Scargill paid for it himself.

I see cameron has ruled out a mansion tax too.

[Manila_Paul]

Bring on Basil Brush.

He'd do a better job than Osborne, for sure!

[andy222]

I agree.. There would be no stopping him once he gets his tail up.

[bigmarco]

This gets better. . What have I started?
On the subject of trade unions and communism I wonder how many on here have ever sat down and spoken to a communist? Instead of just believing what you read in the rags. Just my opinion.

I think one thing we've learnt over the last couple of years Andy is that capitalism is flawed. Because when it all goes tits up they all had to run cap in hand to the Government for a bail out. This is the trouble with Capitalism they spout on about the strong survive but when they all get greedy and up the working man has to bail them out.
Who in their right mind can think it's right to impose a public sector pay freeze to pay for the mistakes of Bankers whilst at the same time continue to pay the Bankers bonuses.

[Dedworth]

This gets better. . What have I started?
On the subject of trade unions and communism I wonder how many on here have ever sat down and spoken to a communist? Instead of just believing what you read in the rags. Just my opinion.

Pre the collapse of it in Eastern Europe I spent time in East Germany, Yugoslavia & Romania that gave me a fairly good appreciation of it's evils and why we needed a strong NATO

- - - Updated - - -

I see cameron has ruled out a mansion tax too.

I wonder if King Arthur pays tax on his benefit in kind - a 3 bed flat in the Barbican

[lastlid]

I think one thing we've learnt over the last couple of years Andy is that capitalism is flawed. Because when it all goes tits up they all had to run cap in hand to the Government for a bail out. This is the trouble with Capitalism they spout on about the strong survive but when they all get greedy and up the working man has to bail them out.
Who in their right mind can think it's right to impose a public sector pay freeze to pay for the mistakes of Bankers whilst at the same time continue to pay the Bankers bonuses.

I suppose all economic systems are potentially flawed. I always thought what we had in the UK, a mixed economy, was just about right, compared to some of the alternatives on offer. The best of both worlds. I suppose it's about getting the balance broadly right and refining it.

[andy222]

I think one thing we've learnt over the last couple of years Andy is that capitalism is flawed. Because when it all goes tits up they all had to run cap in hand to the Government for a bail out. This is the trouble with Capitalism they spout on about the strong survive but when they all get greedy and up the working man has to bail them out.
Who in their right mind can think it's right to impose a public sector pay freeze to pay for the mistakes of Bankers whilst at the same time continue to pay the Bankers bonuses.

I think we are on the same wavelength marko. . I also think after the thatcher years she turned a lot of the working class into I am alright jacks. Just my opinion. Looking back before she came to power there was a community spirit.

[stevewool]

there was a community spirit.

thats been missing for a long time now, yes you do have to look after yourself and family first, but there dont seem to be anything left for anyone else, since being with Emma and making new friends the community is coming back and i put that down to our wives or partners, they know how to share the life with others whether its family or friends, that is rubbing off on me also, true friends are just as important as my family in our little community

[gWaPito]

Comrade gWaPito, have you put money first before your Tory beliefs

Too right Joe...like most honourable Members of Parliament, principles goes out the window where money is concerned..look after number 1...makes terribly good sense

Not sure where this comrade stuff comes from yiU...im only in the union for my own protection...like Marco said..you dont have to agree with there political views....the main thing is, they look after us..

Im no 'alright Jack' either...you talk about the good ol days before Maggie ....well in those days there was shame in unemployment etc etc...now people think its a God given right to ripoff the British taxpayer..im telling you its not...we all got a moral responsibility for all our actions...be it having children..getting married even buying a new car....

Wouldn't it be nice if this were a crutchless society...just like the good ol days before our illustrious leader Maggie

[andy222]

All I can say to that is looking after number one and im alright jack are the same in my view. I have been made redundant twice in my working days and both under thatchers rule. And I saw the interest rates go up to 16% many lost their houses. I saw her bring the poll tax in. The nail in her coffin thank god. Thats what I remember about it. Anyway I dont know what is going to happen in the future even if labour do get in power. It will be a uphill battle.

[bigmarco]

I think we are on the same wavelength marko. . I also think after the thatcher years she turned a lot of the working class into I am alright jacks. Just my opinion. Looking back before she came to power there was a community spirit.

I find they're alright Jacks until the hits the fan for them. Trust me I've watched a few cross picket lines over the years or sneak in through the back door. But when they get into trouble mate they're on the phone demanding help.
People need to realise there's more to being in a union than paying the subs.
I know what you say about Thatcher Andy and you are right but I don't forget that not one of her anti Trades Union Laws have been repealed by succesive Labour Prime Ministers. Why the Unions continue to fund the Labour Party is beyond me.

[gWaPito]

I find they're alright Jacks until the hits the fan for them. Trust me I've watched a few cross picket lines over the years or sneak in through the back door. But when they get into trouble mate they're on the phone demanding help.
People need to realise there's more to being in a union than paying the subs.
I know what you say about Thatcher Andy and you are right but I don't forget that not one of her anti Trades Union Laws have been repealed by succesive Labour Prime Ministers. Why the Unions continue to fund the Labour Party is beyond me.

And there was me thinking picket line crossers were quaintly called scabs

If being im deemed an 'alright Jack' because of my belief that partners of able bodied folks from anywhere outside the UK should be able to support themselves without recourse to public funds before coming into our country then, so be it

[bigmarco]

And there was me thinking picket line crossers were quaintly called scabs

Ah you have to be care nowdays gWaPito. Scab is no longer considered acceptable industrial language. We had a guy sacked for using it and although he won his tribunal case the company still refused to re employ him.
However once we secured a ballot to close London down for 5 days the company swiftly saw sense and re employed him.

[andy222]

- - - Updated - - -

And there was me thinking picket line crossers where quaintly called scabs

If being im deemed an 'alright Jack' because of my belief that partners of able bodied folks from anywhere outside the UK should be able to support themselves without recourse to public funds before coming into our country then, so be it

Here we go again.. First you say you look after number one then you say your not a im an alright jack. Which one is it?. Throw the shovel away mate I never mentioned anything about the minimum earnings to bring your wife into this country. And your right marko when the its the fan then they want help. And they will try and claim benefits.

[stevewool]

Scab is no longer considered acceptable industrial language.

wow i better watch my mouth at work being high up the chain of management, so t---t and you w-----r are not acceptable, even when they say it first, to me say what you think get it off your chest and lets get back to work, sticks and stones stuff,

[lastlid]

Scab is no longer considered acceptable industrial language.

wow i better watch my mouth at work being high up the chain of management, so t---t and you w-----r are not acceptable, even when they say it first, to me say what you think get it off your chest and lets get back to work, sticks and stones stuff,

And you aren't allowed to tell someone at work to foxtrot oscar.

[gWaPito]

And you aren't allowed to tell someone at work to foxtrot oscar.

but you can on this forum, apparently