Quote Originally Posted by Deeranged View Post
You're comparing the 21st century working conditions with 19th century conditions there. The unions didn't create the technology that could make the workplace better however it was management that provided the investment to utilise it.

You've no idea of my work history but I'll tell you I'm 62, have always worked since leaving school (bar three weeks between leaving the RAF and starting a new job) at 16 and I've worked for three years total in a workplace that had union representation. During that three years conditions on the shop floor worsened due to the insistence on collective bargaining which resulted in less competent workers earning the same as more competent workers, this in turn resulted in less work being done done because the more competent workers refused to carry the less competent ones. I got tae feck out of there at the first opportunity I can tell you.
ironically il be 62 this year also
i too have worked since leaving school
1st 2 years were in the office at sidlaw,no union to speak off
then at a transport firm for 2 years where i got done over and was introduced to Harry McLevy,of the aeu who not only got me my job back but also learned me alot of what is still with me today,
believe me and i hope you will agree that without guys like him there would still be a chance we would still still be getting dragged into machinery by the hair as was the case in the 19th century.

however whilst in the cwu the majority of reps were spot on there was a few sewer rats who wouldv have drank their own piss before putting out a fire,on that front i wish to say our resident on here cwu guy was worth his weight in gold and to this day goes out his way to try and make a difference,and thats a fact

as i said up above B i agree once the union ladder gets climbed above a certain level then in some cases values go straight oot the windee unfortunately