Strikes in ho liday time ho ld us all to ranso m

HOLIDAYS have been described as necessary celebrations of human collectiveness. Abraham Lincoln had a special reverence for them. As far back as 1863, he declared two Thanksgivings in the US. One in August, the second in November. The idea was to give thanks for the nation’s blessings. The idea would never catch on over here. For as soon as the word holiday is bandied about, it is targeted by one union or another for a strike. Remember last Easter and Christmas were nominated by transport workers for days of industrial action.

Never mind that millions are lef t massively inconvenienced. The summer is here, ever yone is banjaxed from work, the only thing sustaining them has been the prospect of getting away for a break, but what happens? Air traf fic controllers call a strike. Now Ryanair pilots are planning to do likewise and there is a good chance cabin crews are also considering a campaign of their own.

It all adds up to a headache for travellers with the prospect of chaos at airports amid cancellations and diversions.

The pilots will stage a one-day strike on Thursday of next week after 99pc backed industrial action in a union ballot.

The union, Fórsa, which includes the Irish Airline Pilots Association, said it had advised Ryanair that it would notif y the airline of additional strike days in due course.

The irony is that part of the row is over workplace perks, such as who gets first call on – that’s right – holidays.

A boomerang returns to the person who throws it, so presumably the striking pilots are not planning to go abroad as their planes may be grounded.

For once, it would be nice to settle disputes with mediation, and without holding the public to ransom.