Or why I left Britain

Date: 27 January 2007

Once again we see the T&G Union coming out on strike at a time designed to cause maximum damage to the firm that employs many of it's members and causes maximum nuisance to many of the customers T&G members purport to serve - during the school holidays.

The Transport Unions in Britain have a nasty habit of throwing temper tantrums and going on strike when they don't get what they want when they want it. And then, to throw the baby out with the bathwater, they go on strike when it inconviences their customers most.

In terms of marketing their cause to the travelling public, it's a Public Relations nightmare. Most of the travelling public don't give two hoots about many of the issues and simply want to get to where they're going.

In terms of management relations, it's a nightmare. Management have to be tough. If they give an inch, the Unions will take a foot. And before they know it, managment doesn't have a leg to stand on.

This behaviour is not confined purely to the T&G staff at British Airways but is typical of all transport workers in the UK. What the transport unions need to understand is that some of the sharp practices of their members (an average of 22 days sick leave at BA being an excellent example) are simply unacceptable. They need to cajole and, if necessary, force their members to work in a professional manner. Only with professional staff, can any firm succeed and grow. With growth and success comes greater job security and potential for rising pay - the holy grails of the Trades Union movement. With destructive behaviour comes declining firms, greater insecurity, wage stagnation and utter mediocrity. Sadly, the latter is more typical of transport unions.

Thankfully, I now live somewhere sensible where transport workers actually seem to want to be professional.

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