Panic at the Pumps.

[Green Cross Code Man]

after i wrote it and shot off to the prh i realised that i put tesco's and not shell thats what having a baby being born overnight does to your brain

Congratulations btw!

 

[Eastleigh Seagull]

I am too busy fighting every day to defend Unite members in the health service.

However I am quite comfortable with my contribution to making our society a better more caring one..

Fighting every day doesnt sound very caring to me - still as long as you are fighting the good fight brother.

 

[HOFNSKIN]

Hopefully this week will be seen as the watershed in the rise and fall of of Cocaine Dave & Gormless Gideon.

Maybe this time the electorate will learn its lesson, and never give power to Old Etonians ever again.

 

[Green Cross Code Man]

Hopefully this week will be seen as the watershed in the rise and fall of of Cocaine Dave & Gormless Gideon.

Maybe this time the electorate will learn its lesson, and never give power to Old Etonians ever again.

Yeah, because Labour was such a fantastic success!:banghead:

And btw, Blair has a privileged background and so did brown to a lesser degree. Isn't Milliband a privately educated millionaire from a Marxist background?

Can't stand politicians generally, but at least the Tories don't pretend to be something they're not. The labour party is no longer a socialist party and is overrun by right-wing politics.

 

[LamieRobertson]

Hopefully this week will be seen as the watershed in the rise and fall of of Cocaine Dave & Gormless Gideon.

Maybe this time the electorate will learn its lesson, and never give power to Old Etonians ever again.

And the alternative?..not much choice is there

 

[seagullsovergrimsby]

People are now buying non perishable foods in the belief that a fuel strike will mean there will be no food in the shops as the delivery lorries will be off the road. It might go mental at the weekend when those who are monthly paid have their wages paid into their bank account.

 

[hans kraay fan club]

To be quite frank I care no more of what you think of the tanker drivers or myself than I believe this government when they say were all in it together, whilst cutting taxes for 300,000 millionaires and increasing taxes for 4 million pensioners.

I don't normally come to this site to spout off about my view of the world. I leave that to you. You seem to have done a fair bit of it.

I am too busy fighting every day to defend Unite members in the health service from the devastating cuts brought about by our greedy millionaire led government. To help workers who have spent all their lives serving the public work out why their jobs are being cut when they've contributed a lot to this society by looking after peoples health and paying taxes. Taxes that are spent on providing tax cuts to the rich, bailing out bankers that drove their companies to the verge of bankruptcy, and fighting a war that benefits no one but large corporations, politicians and religious fanatics.

As I said I don't normally spout off, realising it will only give someone with a pc and a badly informed opinion an opportunity to come back at me. However I am quite comfortable with my contribution to making our society a better more caring one. I'd like to say I'm sorry you think differently, but i'm not.

If you are such an expert on what I write, you'd know that I'm one of the resident lefties (or 'hand wringing, limp wrested liberals' (c) bushy). I just don't see how a few tanker drivers causing tens of millions of pounds of damage to an already fragile economy is going to benefit your other members.

 

[BUTTERBALL]

On drive home noticed Sainburys at Chichester with a big queue, Tesco at Storrington completely out as also Texaco at Peacehaven. Eventually got fuel at Shell Peacehaven after a 5 minute delay, but noticed a number of pumps out so that will probably be out tomorrow unless they get a delivery.

A self fulfilling prophecy unfortunately.

 

[LamieRobertson]

Tescos at shoreham out...hmm..need some for me mowers

 

[Albumen]

And the alternative?..not much choice is there

ANY alternative is better.

 

[Castello]

If you are such an expert on what I write, you'd know that I'm one of the resident lefties (or 'hand wringing, limp wrested liberals' (c) bushy). I just don't see how a few tanker drivers causing tens of millions of pounds of damage to an already fragile economy is going to benefit your other members.

by the way of an answer to your question let me make two points.

1) Despite Bob Crow, Len McCluskey and Mark Serwotka being subjected to almost universal vitriol in the mass media, why do they get elected by such clear majorities. The answer is because their members have not the slightest doubt on who's side they stand. That's why their members pay their subs and join their unions. This is not something that can be said for all union leaders. But then how many other union leaders can you name.

2) the chairman of a Public company doesn't think about the wider moral issues for society when they make decisions, they think about the needs of the shareholders. However I may think about capitalism, this is a readily accepted part of the nature of capitalism. Why do you think trade unions should be any different. We may usually have a different political perspective, but we are the mirror image of the bosses.

I work for Unite covering the health service. I have members earning £20000 or less per annum and I have members earning £60,000 and more per annum. Am I supposed to fight less hard for those on 60k just because my natural political leanings and instincts make me more sympathetic for the needs of those on 20k. And if I did what do you think those on 20k would think of me as an officer. Whereas if they know I will fight fiercely for those they know I may personally have less sympathy for, they know I will be at least as strong in their defence. With the attacks and cuts the Health Service is facing, it is a constant battle keeping people from having their pay cut. Therefore the one thing the members I represent must have confidence in, is my determination to defend them. If you were being represented by a trade union rep, would you want any less?

I may offend management at time with my attitude, but when I was getting elected to positions, I never had trouble getting elected.

It may be nice if the world was nice and consensual with everyone caring for each other and compromising on their needs. i would genuinely prefer that. But that isn't how the world is. Its hard, tough, brutal at times and highly competitive. for many of the members we represent we are what stands between them and the worst excesses of this system. In order to best defend them, we have to keep solidarity going and defend all our members.

 

[NMH]

by the way of an answer to your question let me make two points.

1) Despite Bob Crow, Len McCluskey and Mark Serwotka being subjected to almost universal vitriol in the mass media, why do they get elected by such clear majorities. The answer is because their members have not the slightest doubt on who's side they stand. That's why their members pay their subs and join their unions. This is not something that can be said for all union leaders. But then how many other union leaders can you name.

2) the chairman of a Public company doesn't think about the wider moral issues for society when they make decisions, they think about the needs of the shareholders. However I may think about capitalism, this is a readily accepted part of the nature of capitalism. Why do you think trade unions should be any different. We may usually have a different political perspective, but we are the mirror image of the bosses.

I work for Unite covering the health service. I have members earning £20000 or less per annum and I have members earning £60,000 and more per annum. Am I supposed to fight less hard for those on 60k just because my natural political leanings and instincts make me more sympathetic for the needs of those on 20k. And if I did what do you think those on 20k would think of me as an officer. Whereas if they know I will fight fiercely for those they know I may personally have less sympathy for, they know I will be at least as strong in their defence. With the attacks and cuts the Health Service is facing, it is a constant battle keeping people from having their pay cut. Therefore the one thing the members I represent must have confidence in, is my determination to defend them. If you were being represented by a trade union rep, would you want any less?

I may offend management at time with my attitude, but when I was getting elected to positions, I never had trouble getting elected.

It may be nice if the world was nice and consensual with everyone caring for each other and compromising on their needs. i would genuinely prefer that. But that isn't how the world is. Its hard, tough, brutal at times and highly competitive. for many of the members we represent we are what stands between them and the worst excesses of this system. In order to best defend them, we have to keep solidarity going and defend all our members.

Two things;
The tories still hold Thatcher up as the champion of causes and the leader they want to emulate.
There are so many people in Britain who will vote for a party who will not represent them in the slightest - unquestioning, because their father did, and he did because his father did.
That said, it's hard to find any party leader who is in any way in touch with the folk they are supposed to represent and what they want to see done (as Gordon Brown and Tony Blair had adequately illustrated).

The trend of blaming drivers and their union, would probably pervade all the 'Sun reader' element. They wouldn't look beyond the headlines when a tanker crashes and causes several deaths, and wonder if the driver was being pushed beyond the limit by people who want as much for their £45,000 p.a. as possible and are prepared to stretch their employees so they don't have to hire more. This, in a time where unemployment (and benefits being paid because of it) is always an issue, and petrol prices are ridiculously high. Squeeze the drivers for every drop of sweat and toil, while members of the public make out they don't have a 'real' profession....but IT people do, and bankers, insurance company execs, and football players and golf pros etc.

I'll never forget when one of my good friends - a brilliant poet and thinker - watching a large crab escaping bucket full of crabs at a fish market in California reflected; "if that was a British crab, the others would reach up and pull him back in".

 

[Bozza]

I work for Unite covering the health service. I have members earning £20000 or less per annum and I have members earning £60,000 and more per annum. Am I supposed to fight less hard for those on 60k just because my natural political leanings and instincts make me more sympathetic for the needs of those on 20k.

What a vile attitude. A great summary, for me, of the archaic ways of the unions and why they should have little (no) part to play in modern 21st century Britain.

 

[brunswick]

if the government said stand on one leg the people would.

so funny what is going on - great example of drone behavior.

 

[e77]

The Unions haven't actually gone on strike yet. In fact, why bother when the government can create panic on your behalf?

I agree striking should be a last resort but they do have a legal right to do it and they follow a stringent process.

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

There are so many people in Britain who will vote for a party who will not represent them in the slightest - unquestioning, because their father did, and he did because his father did.

True. I also have a theory that some people vote conservative as part of the package of being "successful". I've seen many a person follow the dull upward trajectory of university, management job, pretty obedient wife, mondeo, kids, people carrier, crappy new build in the suburbs with a drive way etc. I'm sure they vote Tory because it's what they think they're supposed to do just like the cliched path they have followed elsewhere in their life.

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

by the way of an answer to your question let me make two points.

1) Despite Bob Crow, Len McCluskey and Mark Serwotka being subjected to almost universal vitriol in the mass media, why do they get elected by such clear majorities. The answer is because their members have not the slightest doubt on who's side they stand. That's why their members pay their subs and join their unions. This is not something that can be said for all union leaders. But then how many other union leaders can you name.

2) the chairman of a Public company doesn't think about the wider moral issues for society when they make decisions, they think about the needs of the shareholders. However I may think about capitalism, this is a readily accepted part of the nature of capitalism. Why do you think trade unions should be any different. We may usually have a different political perspective, but we are the mirror image of the bosses.

I work for Unite covering the health service. I have members earning £20000 or less per annum and I have members earning £60,000 and more per annum. Am I supposed to fight less hard for those on 60k just because my natural political leanings and instincts make me more sympathetic for the needs of those on 20k. And if I did what do you think those on 20k would think of me as an officer. Whereas if they know I will fight fiercely for those they know I may personally have less sympathy for, they know I will be at least as strong in their defence. With the attacks and cuts the Health Service is facing, it is a constant battle keeping people from having their pay cut. Therefore the one thing the members I represent must have confidence in, is my determination to defend them. If you were being represented by a trade union rep, would you want any less?

I may offend management at time with my attitude, but when I was getting elected to positions, I never had trouble getting elected.

It may be nice if the world was nice and consensual with everyone caring for each other and compromising on their needs. i would genuinely prefer that. But that isn't how the world is. Its hard, tough, brutal at times and highly competitive. for many of the members we represent we are what stands between them and the worst excesses of this system. In order to best defend them, we have to keep solidarity going and defend all our members.

Well put. And you have my support.

 

[LamieRobertson]

ANY alternative is better.

50/50 on that one i think

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

The Unions haven't actually gone on strike yet. In fact, why bother when the government can create panic on your behalf?

I agree striking should be a last resort but they do have a legal right to do it and they follow a stringent process.

Indeed. Who needs to strike when you have Francis Maude? All the effects of a strike without the walk out. Genius.

 

[Digweeds Trousers]

by the way of an answer to your question let me make two points.

1) Despite Bob Crow, Len McCluskey and Mark Serwotka being subjected to almost universal vitriol in the mass media, why do they get elected by such clear majorities. The answer is because their members have not the slightest doubt on who's side they stand. That's why their members pay their subs and join their unions. This is not something that can be said for all union leaders. But then how many other union leaders can you name.

2) the chairman of a Public company doesn't think about the wider moral issues for society when they make decisions, they think about the needs of the shareholders. However I may think about capitalism, this is a readily accepted part of the nature of capitalism. Why do you think trade unions should be any different. We may usually have a different political perspective, but we are the mirror image of the bosses.

I work for Unite covering the health service. I have members earning £20000 or less per annum and I have members earning £60,000 and more per annum. Am I supposed to fight less hard for those on 60k just because my natural political leanings and instincts make me more sympathetic for the needs of those on 20k. And if I did what do you think those on 20k would think of me as an officer. Whereas if they know I will fight fiercely for those they know I may personally have less sympathy for, they know I will be at least as strong in their defence. With the attacks and cuts the Health Service is facing, it is a constant battle keeping people from having their pay cut. Therefore the one thing the members I represent must have confidence in, is my determination to defend them. If you were being represented by a trade union rep, would you want any less?

I may offend management at time with my attitude, but when I was getting elected to positions, I never had trouble getting elected.

It may be nice if the world was nice and consensual with everyone caring for each other and compromising on their needs. i would genuinely prefer that. But that isn't how the world is. Its hard, tough, brutal at times and highly competitive. for many of the members we represent we are what stands between them and the worst excesses of this system. In order to best defend them, we have to keep solidarity going and defend all our members.

I'm afraid that everything written in this statement is what I find utterly totally abhorent about the Unions and the people that inhabbit them.

It may serve for you to look into the work that many Public companies do as far as Corporate Social Responsibility these days - our company is one of many that operates a 1 1 rule - 1% of profits, 1% of staff time put into local and national good causes.

Look up Tom Siebel on google - huge philanthropic investment that one of recent times sussposed aggressive capitalists has made a huge impact on the Meths problem in the US.

I know we are probably poles apart on the political spectrum but you cannot make judgements on Public companies not thinking about the wider moral issues and trying to insist that revenue generating shareholder-owned businesses are morally bankrupt and bereft of any care for the society that they work in.

It doesnt help that Bob Crow lives a life of capitalist luxury while spouting his appalling bile at anyone that happens to disagree with him.

Personally I feel that the day the Unions and the whole culture of entitlement are crushed and removed from society the better.