SO Simon Mallett thinks the rights of railway employees should be banned ('Should the right to strike be curbed', February 6). Obviously he and his party have learned nothing from the country handing out two crushing defeats.
Let me remind him why the railways are in turmoil. His party privatised the railways and fat cats thrived from the "greed is good Thatcher years".
Arriva created a vast gap in pay between drivers and guards far in excess of pre-privatisation differential.
Mr Mallett would ban the men from their right to protest against this oppression. That's what Tories do best.
However, one thing Mr Mallett is right about is that these strikes are unnecessary. The solution is simple: dig into the fat cats' profit bowl and pay the guards their due, then the public will get the service they deserve.
W C Moore,
Lochrin Place, York.
...WORKERS should always have the right to withdraw their labour. The comments of Mr Mallet come as no surprise to me, as he is just showing us the old Tory idea of industrial relations. This being: if the workers get too organised and are supported by actions of the people they represent, alter the law to restrict their basic human rights.
Never forget the present railway problems were caused by Tory privatisation, which turned one co-ordinated company - British Rail - into more than 80 companies run for profit and not for people.
R S Pearson,
Towthorpe Road, Haxby, York.
...YES, I feel the right to strike should most definitely be curbed.
As a civil servant in London during the early 1970s, I adamantly refused to strike. I battled through the pickets with strength and pride, despite the ignorant taunts of 'scab' and 'black leg'!
I was happy with my £14 a week. I lived on my own, I loved my job, and I took great pride in the service I provided. One colleague committed suicide - there was no strike pay and she was terrified of the pickets.
Not militant people? Not yet but they were then.
P M Beadnall,
Horbury House,
Gordon Street, York.
Updated: 10:41 Monday, February 11, 2002
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article