Minister threatens to crack down on unions - and it's fucking Cable, of all people - Polidicks

[url]http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-13661098[/url] [quote]Business secretary Vince Cable is to warn delegates at the GMB union's conference that co-ordinated strike action may lead to tougher union laws. Union leaders have warned that there could be strike action taken by 750,000 public sector workers on 30 June. Mr Cable is expected to say that while the level of strikes is low there is not a compelling case for tighter laws. But he will warn that the pressure on him to act would ratchet up if there were to be widespread disruption. GMB general secretary Paul Kenny told the BBC he was disappointed that Mr Cable was going to attack the unions, having been invited to talk about jobs. "I don't think that any strike in this country could inflict the sort of economic damage on our country that the banks and finance houses and frankly current government policy have done," he said. "It's funny how ministers encourage strikes in Egypt and places like that, but they want to ban them in Britain." [b]'Serious damage'[/b] BBC political correspondent Laura Kuenssberg says unions could organise precisely the kind of industrial action that Vince Cable is warning against if no broad agreement is reached by the end of next month. Addressing delegates in Brighton, Mr Cable is expected to say: "We are undoubtedly entering a difficult period. Cool heads will be required all round. Despite occasional blips, I know that strike levels remain historically low, especially in the private sector. "On that basis, and assuming this pattern continues, the case for changing strike law is not compelling. Despite Vince Cable's warning and pressure from Boris Johnson and various employers' groups, the government is in no rush to introduce fresh anti-strike legislation - for the moment. On the Conservative side of the coalition there is a fear of reviving old memories of the Thatcherite onslaught on the unions. There is also a view that outside of London and the stoppages called by Bob Crowe's RMT on the London Underground, strikes simply aren't a problem. They are at an historic 80-year low. But most importantly ministers do not want to act unless and until there is public support for new strike legislation. However, that public mood may change if there are a wave of strikes this autumn in protest at reforms to public sector pensions. And if public opinion hardens against the unions this autumn, then there will be huge pressure on the government to legislate. "However, should the position change, and should strikes impose serious damage to our economic and social fabric, the pressure on us to act would ratchet up. That is something which both you, and certainly I, would wish to avoid." Mr Cable is expected to concede that feelings are running high in the trade union movement as demonstrations in March showed. But he will call for unions and the government to work together to deal with economic challenges. Mayor of London Boris Johnson and employers' organisation the CBI have already been calling for tougher trade union laws Mr Johnson wants laws to prevent a strike taking place unless at least half of the union members in a workplace take part in a ballot. He has criticised the government as "lily-livered" for not taking firmer action. The CBI has called for a minimum of 40% of union members balloted to be in favour of a strike before it can take place. Some 250,000 civil servants in the PCS union are currently being balloted on whether to take strike action over government spending cuts. Any PCS action could lead to co-ordinated walkouts with 750,000 teachers, lecturers and other workers in the largest joint-union walkout in years.[/quote] Problem, Communists?

I thought we destroyed the unions long ago.

I honestly thought it said crack down on unicorns

nope they still run the labour party ahohohoho

British trade unionists have been pretty much selfish twats trying to demand too much for the past 40 years and much of the time getting away with it. They used to be good but are now mostly useless.

I'm pretty sure Thatcher removed unions because they destroyed our economy and caused major disruption in Britain in incidents like the miners' strikes. Sadly in the process she had to shut down the goddamn things. Problem is, unions are irresponsible when it comes to the economy. It seems for some, ahem NASUWT, like their working conditions are NEVER good enough.

[QUOTE=Sobotnik;30280046]British trade unionists have been pretty much selfish twats trying to demand too much for the past 40 years and much of the time getting away with it. They used to be good but are now mostly useless.[/QUOTE] I can agree with that, and I dont think there will ever be a sweetspot, one party will always want more for themselves, be it the unions getting more pay and benefits for the workers or the government trying to save as much of their own time and money as possible.

[QUOTE=Jon27;30280523]I'm pretty sure Thatcher removed unions because they destroyed our economy and caused major disruption in Britain in incidents like the miners' strikes. Sadly in the process she had to shut down the goddamn things. Problem is, unions are irresponsible when it comes to the economy. It seems for some, ahem NASUWT, like their working conditions are NEVER good enough.[/QUOTE] Thatcher attacked unions because she was a crusty conservative twat

[QUOTE=Zeke129;30282260]Thatcher attacked unions because she was a crusty conservative twat[/QUOTE] Thatcher is like marmite, you either love her or hate her.

I thought it said crack down on onions. Would make sense with the e-coli outbreak.

[QUOTE=Sobotnik;30283635]Thatcher is like marmite, you either love her or hate her.[/QUOTE] No Thatcher is like a STI, only insane people like her/it.

[QUOTE=yaik9a;30295353]No Thatcher is like a STI, only insane people like her/it.[/QUOTE] gonna go ahead guess you don't like marmite

[QUOTE=Zeke129;30282260]Thatcher attacked unions because she was a crusty conservative twat[/QUOTE] to be fair, before thatcher got into power the unions had driven britain into the ground I'm not praising what she did though

[QUOTE=Sobotnik;30283635]Thatcher is like marmite, you either love her or hate her.[/QUOTE] well yeah that's the case with every single thing or idea

[QUOTE=Mon;30299694]gonna go ahead guess you don't like marmite[/QUOTE] Never even tried it.

[QUOTE=yaik9a;30303206]Never even tried it.[/QUOTE] then why should you be judging thatcher