Home Office staff to strike on eve of Games

[McHaggis]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-18912742

Not wanting to start a union/anti-union discussion, but can someone explain to me how a strike can be called with...

The PCS said 57.2% of those who voted backed strike action - the turnout was 20%.

So about 10% of the Union actually voted for action???

[ralphrj]

From memory wasn't there a recent Border Agency strike that had no noticeable impact as so few actually went on strike?

[TankRizzo]

That's how is mostly always is - most unions only ever get between 20-40% turnout so the "overwhelming positive strike vote" is only ever 10-20% of the union.

The Gov are trying to change the law I think so that the unions can only call a strike if over 50% of the TOTAL ballotees vote to strike.

[normalbloke]

They really are retarded.

[aberdeeneuan]

Predictable though isn't it?

Major sporting event, all the world eyes on the UK and the unions try to maximize the impact of any action to try and get the government over a barrel. Which is what they are there to do at the end of day, but I suspect they won't get a massive amount of public support.

[Bill Carr]

aberdeeneuan said:

I suspect they won't get a massive amount of public support.

Sounds like they don't have a massive amount of support within the union!

[vescaegg]

What a great image of our country we will project. Lovely...

[Roo]

TankRizzo said:

The Gov are trying to change the law I think so that the unions can only call a strike if over 50% of the TOTAL ballotees vote to strike.

General election should be run to those rules as well.

[Gun]

Striking with 10% support, what a joke.

[funkyrobot]

There are other idiots striking too.

East Midland trains are striking during the olympics, along with another load of people that I can't remember at the moment.

[7mike]

funkyrobot said:

along with another load of people that I can't remember at the moment.

Wardens at the national gallery. Members of PCS too.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/artanddesign/2012/jul/17...

[Mr GrimNasty]

Talk about achieving zero impact and shooting yourselves in the foot all in one go. Lose any public sympathy. And like with the Doctors, the % striking will be so low, no on will even notice.

[pokethepope]

So the other 90% who didn't vote/voted against will still turn up for work?

[The Hypno-Toad]

pokethepope said:

So the other 90% who didn't vote/voted against will still turn up for work?

I'm guessing with that amount of support crossing the picket line won't be too hard when it only consists of the fat girl from the canteen and Tony the Red who still thinks he's at university sticking it to the man.

[Jasandjules]

Gun said:

Striking with 10% support, what a joke.

Well, we elect Govts with not tooooooo much more of the vote..

[DJRC]

fking useless Goddam selfish lefty workshy lazy bds!

Im flying back into the UK on 26th. Fortunately its into Brum and London, otherwise Id be really really really fked off!

Would be avoiding the whole damn mess if it wasnt for my bloody stupid cousin picking the Olympic opening day to get married on!

[hornetrider]

s.

[Mr Sparkle]

pokethepope said:

So the other 90% who didn't vote/voted against will still turn up for work?

Why? They may as well have Friday off sick too and take advantage of the long weekend.

[Mr GrimNasty]

They'll have to provide a Dr's note or lose pay, I expect. I think you actually underestimate the number of people that do actually have a conscience and a sense of duty and responsibility anyway.

[martin84]

It is interesting only 20% bothered to vote in this ballet and only a narrow majority voted for strike action, so any strike will be down to 1 in 10 members favouring it, suggesting most don't want to strike during the Olympics. In fairness to them it seems this is more about the general poor shape of the Agency itself rather than a simple pay dispute. We all know Theresa May has an awful relationship with the Border Agency...and the Police...and..well...basically everybody. She is the most incompetent human being in this Government, everything she touches goes wrong and everybody hates her. The Unions are probably just trying to force her out of the job.

I would think May will be first up for the axe when the next re-shuffle comes around. She's even more of a liability than Hunt and Lansley.