Suffering commuters

SO THE farcical, soul-destroying bus strike has come to an end. And predictably, a fares hike. At the end of the day, who scores?

Certainly not the commuters, many of whom had to beg, borrow and steal to afford alternative means to get to work and back.

Not forgetting the inconvenience suffered in cold and inclement weather.

The system of collective bargaining looks good on paper, but reality says otherwise.

While discussions between union bosses and bus owners take place in comfort, the drivers and commuters have to be content awaiting the outcome of the talks.

The only ones who score are the union leaders, who undoubtedly earn a fair whack compared to the workers. They get off scot-free and keep their jobs.

A fairer solution would be for the drivers to keep working while their fate is being decided behind closed doors.

If the union bosses can’t persuade the employers without mass action, they’re not worth their salt. After all, that’s what they’re paid for.

In Japan a recent bus strike was an example of an effective system of “striking”.

While the workers’ representatives had it out with bus owners, the drivers kept working, doing the normal rounds – with one major difference.

The commuters rode for free, until a wage agreement was reached.

First, commuters arrived at their places of work, drivers were happy and treated like heroes.

Second, it was in the interest of the proprietors to reach a settlement sooner than later.

And the roads were kept clear. All parties were happy.

Clearly, the status quo is a failure, so government will have to come with a workable solution to stop the rot. Cliff Buchler George