Despite the actions of the RMT the current economic crisis means that unions still have an important role in trying to protect their members from being genuinely unfairly treated. Unite and the GMB are a case in point where BA has given one group of employees a 10% rise but already lower paid check in staff are effectively 10% worse off following reduction in wages over covid. In my own sector, distribution workers have just got 7% but most others (who account for the vast majority) have been offered 2% . In reality, of course, it's all about bargaining power and supply/demand because some sectors can demand higher wages due to a shortage of suitable staff whereas others-traditionally lower paid ones-don't have this luxury and this allows employers to keep suppressing wages. Obviously some jobs are more skilled than others and so naturally pay more but it seems that these are getting far higher percentage wage awards than their lesser paid colleagues. No wonder resentment builds as the gap between rich and poor ever widens.

Obviously there are many cases where companies cannot afford to pay higher wages as they are struggling themselves and unions need to recognize this and be realistic in their demands but the thrust of many is to ensure that their members are treated legally and fairly and so, if a company does make money, a reasonable amount of this profit is set aside to ensure employees get decent conditions and a "fair days pay for a fair days work" and don't get screwed over. No one wants a return to the over powerful unions of the past but the Tories have been eroding workers rights and conditions for some time now and unions still have a role in trying to prevent this. Too many don't grasp the fact that many of the employment rights we enjoy today weren't given by nice ulturistic employers but were hard won by unions.