I need to discuss politics.
I need to know if there are others out there who are interrupting the
governments promises, actions and plans the way I am. Or am I just being all paranoid, narrowminded,
scaremongering. Your concerns may or may
not coincide with mine as the most important to me but the your major concerns
may be my minor concerns and visaversa. Two voices are better than one but how
are we to know we have similar concerns if we never discuss it. <sigh>
The idea that friends acquaintances, associates and
strangers should avoid discussing politics (and religion but that is another
subject) is a sure fire way to keep them safe from those (thinking and sharing)
voices joining together in protest what is wrong and what is right.
I went to our local Unison AGM and heard something
inspiring. I am a bit apprehensive of
unions with all the stories and myths surrounding them but they are like any
large body of people. In any large group
there will be the extremist, the fence sitters, the thieves and those with
agendas but I would imagine that the majority are real honest caring people who
want good for the whole.
Remember that old saying about one wrong takes three or more
rights to balance it. Honestly one wrong can destroy what a thousand rights
have accomplished. He held a relatively high seat in the national committee and
his message was this.
We join Unions to support each other. Not just to make improve working conditions
and protect our jobs on an individuals but to support each other in the same
objective. The fact that someone in
London is suffering from bullying in their job may have no effect on my working
conditions or job security but as an individual I can stand behind that individual
and support his right to work without being bullied.
How reminiscent of the old days when we would band together
to help our neighbors. There are still remnants
of these days even today in the old fashioned barn raising or the pizza
painting party when you invite you friends over to help you paint and offer to
feed them.
That was the foundations of the unions way back when. For a small fee you had a thousand voices to
support your need which was often a need suffered by many. I disagree with some
of the over the top ideas that the unions have nurtured over the years. There is shooting yourself in the foot for
unrealistic demands and there is working out the best of a bad situation.
Is it a good idea to push for a living wage with a council
that is having to make cuts to save money.
Living minimum wage is nice idea but to raise the level of pay for
one pay grade would require that everyone be given a rise to keep the grades in
their distinct pay grades. That is a
little unrealistic.
I wouldn’t want a living wage if it meant that others would
have to lose their jobs to make the difference in cost. Many might think why do I care but that is
how we should care and look after each other. But for all the things I may
disagree with it is the Unions ethos that we join in a common good to support
each other – I believe in that. Seems a
shame we cannot do that on our own in everyday ways but I remain hopeful.
