Thatcher is Dead

[fred quimby]

It didnt all come to an end.

The unions are still very strong in some sectors. Train drivers start on a basic £42k, and completely hold all of the train companies to ransom. Which is almost entirely why train fares are so ridiculous these days. I have a close friend in the industry, it drives him up the wall.

[LondonTom]

I can't believe the cost of Thatcher's funeral - are we going to do this for Major, and Blair, and Brown, when they pop their clogs?

Edited April 10, 2013 by LondonTom

[gary1979666]

Sorry but I doubt what your friend says.

[gary1979666]

This Next ?

http://news.sky.com/story/1067751/nexts-profits-rise-amid-warning-of-tough-2013

[kaosmark2]

Bob Crowe is a hypocritical shit. His self-absorbed efforts and use of the unions as a political tool (even though usually against the parties I despise), are a prime example of a union gone wrong and justify people still mistrusting and resenting unions.

[thetime]

Our union rep is beyond useless..

Edited April 10, 2013 by thetime

[t8yman]

Sorry but I doubt what your friend says.

[kaosmark2]

I've known him for 25 years, I was his best man, he mine. I think I'm qualified to be the judge of whether or not he is making things up, and he is entirely qualified to be able to analyse the situation.

There are obviously other factors affecting the level of fares, but drivers wages are ridiculously out of proportion with other sectors departments and industries.

[t8yman]

Would the unions have pushed for such ridiculous rises if fares weren't so extortionate and the companies making stupid profits from that?

[kaosmark2]

not all train companies are making ridiculous profits, yet the unions demand the same rates from all companies. which is a scenario played out in many sectors. I'm fairly socialist, but I also understand the basics of running a business.

[t8yman]

it all comes down to greed in the end, wether its the companies or the unions on behalf of the staff. renationalising would be my preferred route, but thats never going to happen ever.

[pink_triangle]

Bob Crowe is a hypocritical shit. His self-absorbed efforts and use of the unions as a political tool (even though usually against the parties I despise), are a prime example of a union gone wrong and justify people still mistrusting and resenting unions.

[pink_triangle]

10 million pound of public money is a disgrace for a person hated by half the country, most people I know would prefer the money to be spent on the NHs to help keep people alive. If people want to pay for an expensive funeral it should come from private money.

[kaosmark2]

A friend of mine heard Crowe speak and was surprised how great a presenter he was. I personally find him too political, but he is paid to get the best terms and conditions for those he represents and undoubtedly does a great job in this respect .

[Kyelo]

10 million pound of public money is a disgrace for a person hated by half the country, most people I know would prefer the money to be spent on the NHs to help keep people alive. If people want to pay for an expensive funeral it should come from private money.

[kaosmark2]

10 million pound of public money is a disgrace for a person hated by half the country, most people I know would prefer the money to be spent on the NHs to help keep people alive. If people want to pay for an expensive funeral it should come from private money.

[kaosmark2]

I'd like to see a breakdown of that budget, it is very easy to shout about but the fact is even if the public money wasn't used for the actual ceremony the security cost would be huge! People will protest, even to the extent of violence. This will require a lot of police regardless of who pays.

[Big Vern]

I'm happy for some of my tax to pay towards seeing the old girl off.

[fred quimby]

I've known him for 25 years, I was his best man, he mine. I think I'm qualified to be the judge of whether or not he is making things up, and he is entirely qualified to be able to analyse the situation.

There are obviously other factors affecting the level of fares, but drivers wages are ridiculously out of proportion with other sectors departments and industries.

[Kyelo]

BTW where is the cost to the taxpayer number coming from?

[whisty]

In my opinion 42k is still not enough to be able to live in and raise a family in London, it's a good wage that's all and before some of you start shouting at me I fully appreciate that lots of people have to live off of a lot less than that which of course isn't right.

Bob crow & the RMT are the last of the Unions with any kind of power, all the rest as far as I can see were crushed. I don't know him as a man so have no idea of his personal agenda but I absolutely love seeing Bob Crow/RMT win the day, it's a rare event in these days of Corporate power shitting all over the workforce at every opportunity.

Edited April 10, 2013 by whisty

[Jackmypie]

I wasn't even alive when she was prime minister, but she seemed to be a bit of a posh c**t. So yay!

[abdoujaparov]

In my opinion 42k is still not enough to be able to live in and raise a family in London, it's a good wage that's all and before some of you start shouting at me I fully appreciate that lots of people have to live off of a lot less than that which of course isn't right.

Bob crow & the RMT are the last of the Unions with any kind of power, all the rest as far as I can see were crushed. I don't know him as a man so have no idea of his personal agenda but I absolutely love seeing Bob Crow/RMT win the day, it's a rare event in these days of Corporate power shitting all over the workforce at every opportunity.

[pehaw]

It didnt all come to an end.

The unions are still very strong in some sectors. Train drivers start on a basic £42k, and completely hold all of the train companies to ransom. Which is almost entirely why train fares are so ridiculous these days. I have a close friend in the industry, it drives him up the wall.

I understand the role of Unions in the workplace, and the value they can bring, but my own personal experiences of unions is not a positive one.

[kaosmark2]

£42k seems like a reasonable wage for a job with such responsibility and potential stress factors.