Anorak

Anorak News | Normal Service

Normal Service

by | 7th, April 2006

‘YOU can set your clock by the rail service’s summer schedules. With the weather growing warmer and the sun rising in a milky blue sky, the rail unions have consulted their timetable and realised that it must be time for a day off, or ‘strike’ as it is known.

The first Crow of summer

We have arrived at that time of year when a young rail worker’s thoughts turn to industrial action. And we get to see socialist Rail, Maritime and Transport Union leader Bob Crow, a fully paid up member of the Awkward Squad, emerge blinking into the rosy-fingered dawn to say how outraged over such and such a thing he is and that industrial action is on the cards.

This year, the row is over pension funds. And Crow has this to say to his members, and other Star readers: “If we don’t get agreement with the train operating companies and the engineering companies in early May, we’ll be seeing a ballot and we’ll be seeing action late May, early June.”

Crow and his ilk claim companies intend to increase the levels of contributions to such a high level that workers will be unable to participate.

Crow says he has tried talking to all sides but has not yet managed to. Says he: “So I do perfectly believe that we’re leading our way towards a national rail strike.”

Good that we are going somewhere, what with this being the transport service. But not so great that in the warm and hazy days of early summer, bolshy Crow is talking of a “complete shutdown”.

But no strike is definite. Far be it from us to advise Crow on his job, but surely a detailed study of the weather for the stated period of inaction and a consideration of when the school half term holidays fall will get rail workers on side and in favour of a walk out.

Anything less would be a dereliction of duty…’



Posted: 7th, April 2006 | In: Tabloids Comment | TrackBack | Permalink