*
It was 'haves' and 'have-nots' on last night's Newsnight, which can only mean one thing - a report from old commie Paul Mason. The 'haves' were the wicked bankers making their evil profits, the 'have nots' were the public sector workers, ground beneath the heel of top-hatted capitalism and its running dogs.
*
As with yesterday's Greek report, Paul began at a protest with striking workers. We heard from two union members and their far-far-left leader Mark Serwotka (PCS union). For a change of perspective Mason then turned to...the TUC! We heard from Ken Mulkearn , editor of their IDS Pay Review, saying all going's to be well for the private sector but not for the public sector (well, he would say that, wouldn't he!) Marc Ostwald, strategist at Monument Securities, came next. Quite what his politics are I can't say! He was on to support Paul's contention that 'output theory' is 'wearing thin'. Then, with all the inevitability of a Bruce Forsyth catchphrase, on came Vince Cable to provide his 'expert' view.
*
At least Vince wasn't one of the guests in the following discussion with Kirsty Wark. Surprisingly that was John Redwood. Mr Redwood may not know the words of the Welsh national anthem (as the BBC still likes to remind us from time to time) but he is a wise voice, worthy of as many invites to the studios of the BBC as Vince himself (but getting VASTLY fewer such invites). He put up a characteristically strong performance. He was up against the aforementioned Mark Serwotka. John Redwood was interrupted three times (I.C. of 0.7). Kirsty's characteristically dumb questions to him went on about 'injustice'. Her first question to Mr Serwotka tempted him to attack the Tories (why not bite the Labour bullet Mark or face a pay freeze under the Tories?) and a later question showed yet again her sheer ineptness as an interviewer. I'm no expert on trade unions but even I already knew that the PCS union is not affiliated to the Labour Party (Labour's far too right-wing for Mr Serwotka and friends). Slursty didn't: "What do you think of the position of your union, for example? Do you think you should just set aside your relations with Labour in the hope than an incoming Conservative government's going to treat you better?"
*
Showing posts with label trade unions. Show all posts
Showing posts with label trade unions. Show all posts
Wednesday, 17 February 2010
Saturday, 19 December 2009
THE GHOST OF CHRISTMAS STRIKES PAST
*
Unite, the union at my own workplace (of which I am not a member), are continuing their campaign to return Britain to the 1970s. Following on from their set-back over B.A., this morning's Today highlighted that they are also leading a strike of electronics workers at Fujitsu. Correspondent Judy Hobson spoke first to two of the workers, then John Humphrys spoke to "Roger Seifert, professor of Industrial Relations at Wolverhampton Business School", asking him, "Is there anything in what that lady said there that they're just using the recession, companies like that, to push down wages and conditions?" Prof Seifert replied, "Oh absolutely true" and went on to attack business ("big multi nationals"). He sounded like a true old-style leftie and, checking him out, it turns out that he's just that - an academic 'socialist' (see
http://solidaritymagazine.wordpress.com/2008/08/25/hazards-conference-2008/ and http://www.sochealth.co.uk/confs/labreform.htm). He was so far-left even John Humphrys baulked at some of the simplistic things he was saying! (A professor! God help his students!)
*
*
*
Evan Davis discussed serial killers with another leftie academic, introduced as "Professor David Wilson, a criminologist at Birmingham City University and author of A History of British Serial Killing". He often pops up on the BBC whenever a serial killer is in the news, discussing the subject from a left-liberal perspective - just how regularly can be guaged by his reaction to Evan's salutation, "Good morning": "Good morning Evan, nice to talk to you again." Not mentioned, though, is the fact that he's also 'Vice-Chair of the Howard League for Penal Reform'. (The BBC are always talking to them again!). Today though he pretty much struck to telling stories about serial killers past.
*
Unite, the union at my own workplace (of which I am not a member), are continuing their campaign to return Britain to the 1970s. Following on from their set-back over B.A., this morning's Today highlighted that they are also leading a strike of electronics workers at Fujitsu. Correspondent Judy Hobson spoke first to two of the workers, then John Humphrys spoke to "Roger Seifert, professor of Industrial Relations at Wolverhampton Business School", asking him, "Is there anything in what that lady said there that they're just using the recession, companies like that, to push down wages and conditions?" Prof Seifert replied, "Oh absolutely true" and went on to attack business ("big multi nationals"). He sounded like a true old-style leftie and, checking him out, it turns out that he's just that - an academic 'socialist' (see
http://solidaritymagazine.wordpress.com/2008/08/25/hazards-conference-2008/ and http://www.sochealth.co.uk/confs/labreform.htm). He was so far-left even John Humphrys baulked at some of the simplistic things he was saying! (A professor! God help his students!)
*
*
*****
**
Evan Davis discussed serial killers with another leftie academic, introduced as "Professor David Wilson, a criminologist at Birmingham City University and author of A History of British Serial Killing". He often pops up on the BBC whenever a serial killer is in the news, discussing the subject from a left-liberal perspective - just how regularly can be guaged by his reaction to Evan's salutation, "Good morning": "Good morning Evan, nice to talk to you again." Not mentioned, though, is the fact that he's also 'Vice-Chair of the Howard League for Penal Reform'. (The BBC are always talking to them again!). Today though he pretty much struck to telling stories about serial killers past.
*
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
