mojo pixy
...שלא נמצא בשמאל
I've just written this to the RMT. I think in light of these developments, we're going to need a new approach to industrial action. A way to pressurise bosses without giving them a platform to shout about disruptions to travellers / the economy etc.
It's just a thought, and not a novel one, but I really feel the time has come for this.
* * *
Good morning,
I'm writing very quickly to make a suggestion; for context I am not an RMT member but I am a member of Unison, and it's in a spirit of solidarity that I'm writing.
I don't want to go on and on so I'll come straight to the point: you'll be well aware that transport strikes cause no end of pain for travellers and give the transport company (whoever that may be) and the government a leg-up to some moral high ground. In many ways, the action is counter productive, and you must be aware of that. What you need, is an action that puts pressure on bosses but not on travellers.
Here's the suggestion: next time you strike, run all services as normal and
1. open all barriers for free travel to everyone, all day.
2. provide tickets for travel but do not accept any payments from travellers.
3. make it clear that your aim is to put pressure on the companies, not travellers.
I believe that this will be a far more effective way to focus the argument on what matters, while at the same time gaining huge support from the travelling public and putting massive stress on the companies and government. It will change the dynamic of industrial action, and importantly will prevent bosses and ministers from blaming the unions for ruining travel plans.
That's all I have to say, I respect and support your actions and I hope you achieve your aims. I think as workers we'd do ourselves a great favour by adopting this kind of approach to industrial actions, wherever it is possible.
Best regards and solidarity,
It's just a thought, and not a novel one, but I really feel the time has come for this.
* * *
Good morning,
I'm writing very quickly to make a suggestion; for context I am not an RMT member but I am a member of Unison, and it's in a spirit of solidarity that I'm writing.
I don't want to go on and on so I'll come straight to the point: you'll be well aware that transport strikes cause no end of pain for travellers and give the transport company (whoever that may be) and the government a leg-up to some moral high ground. In many ways, the action is counter productive, and you must be aware of that. What you need, is an action that puts pressure on bosses but not on travellers.
Here's the suggestion: next time you strike, run all services as normal and
1. open all barriers for free travel to everyone, all day.
2. provide tickets for travel but do not accept any payments from travellers.
3. make it clear that your aim is to put pressure on the companies, not travellers.
I believe that this will be a far more effective way to focus the argument on what matters, while at the same time gaining huge support from the travelling public and putting massive stress on the companies and government. It will change the dynamic of industrial action, and importantly will prevent bosses and ministers from blaming the unions for ruining travel plans.
That's all I have to say, I respect and support your actions and I hope you achieve your aims. I think as workers we'd do ourselves a great favour by adopting this kind of approach to industrial actions, wherever it is possible.
Best regards and solidarity,