Strikes mount amid winter of discontent

DECEMBER is not going to be a very good month for industrial relations with strikes taking place in many sectors of commerce and service. At times it will seem that a general strike is taking place with Unions timing their actions to coincide with each other.

Now I fully understand that everybody is concerned with the increasing levels of inflation and wish to protect themselves and their standards of living. The underlying problem is that the larger the settlements, the more likely it is that inflation will continue rising.

It has to be realised that Covid and our contributions to the Ukraine, coupled with world-wide increase in energy prices, is the underlying cause for the present grim situation. The huge bills incurred have to be paid for by everyone either directly or indirectly.

All strikes are ultimately settled around a table, so it was unfortunate that last week, in the case of the RMT dispute, the employers pulled out of a meeting at the very last moment. The Unions therefore were able to make political capital out of the situation, for they believe that Mark Harper, Transport Minister had a hand in this.

Some lower profile disputes have been settled at around the 10% mark. Stagecoach East Midlands has agreed a deal for 21% spread over two years and this may be the sort of percentage where ultimately, agreements can be made. It is the same sort of rate as pensioners will receive next April, although each of them lost £430 this year as Governmeant broke its manifesto promise. They do not have a union!

In the case of railway workers and the Royal Mail, management are seeking substantial changes in working practices to help pay for any agreed deal. This is very understandable, for nothing stays still in commerce and all businesses have to adjust working practices to suit changing demand. To resist such requirements is not helpful to achieving a result. Change is not welcome, but necessary for survival.

The one dispute that concerns more than others is the nurses. Government stipulated that it was to be a degree profession to increase standards. Sadly though, they do not seem prepared to pay the rates for such levels of proficiency and down the years the profession has missed out and pay rates are now out of line. An increased award here, though causing problems with other sectors, is a must.