The 30th November 2011 is set to enter modern history as the largest public sector strike since the seventies.
Why? Because an incompetent boss of UKBA got fired for allegedly allowing hundreds of thousands of unchecked immigrants into the UK during the summer of 2011, surely not?
Apparently, it is more to do with pension disagreements that have been rolling on for ages. The ConLib Government wishes to make cuts and control the generous pay-out perks that public civil servants get but the Unions have stepped in to do what they do best in moments of national economic crises and call a national public service strike.
Camden Labour chiefs have issued instructions for all Councillors not to enter the Town Hall and therefore, not to cross the picket line tomorrow at Jude Street. Fighting talk indeed.
Whilst, I have no problems with a local rebellion at this level in support of a legitimate strike. I do have a big problem when an authority called UKBA that feels appropriate to strike at key ports and airports on critical immigration posts thus bringing commerce to a grinding halt.
It is estimated that such a strike, should it occur at levels of 2 millions or more strikers would result in a loss to the country of £500,000 Million or put another way £0.5 Billion.
Pension deals on the table would then be revoked and made non economic on next rounds of discussions. And just as in the Seventies with Union strikes a never ending spiralling worsening of relations between the Unions and a Government unable due to the deficit crises to give in to demands for improved pensions future pay-outs.
What is certain is the UK appears locked in to enter a new period of 'Winter of Discontent' strikes with public sector workers.
Sadly for the thousands of NHS patients waiting for life saving operations on Wednesday 30th November strikes all hospitals will be providing only weekend coverage. Only the most critical procedures beings provided where it is a matter of life of death.
I think we all can agree that the NHS needs reform and that all workers receive a decent wage, I am sure that most Unions would agree with this view but the question is at what costs should the return to national strikes be endured.
Author: Nigel Rumble
Photo: (c) AP
