It is worth reminding ourselves, employees do have a right to strike. According to several Coalition Ministers there seems to be some doubt. Or if workers do exert their right, there may be changes in law to prevent them doing so in future.
Putting to one side the fundamental rights of an employee, strikes are at a record low so there is hardly a compelling case at present. But this week will see the first big public sector disputes. Michael Gove told Andrew Marr in a thoroughly didactic manner, the teachers who were determined to strike amounted to a "militancy" who must be stopped by "public demand". His plan for an army of mums (without CRB checks) to take over is as pitiful as it is unworkable (no mention of dads).
In any event, the public seemed to be in support, as they recognise the teachers are not making a greedy pay claim but are simply trying to protect pensions based on low-pay. It does not help the Government that discussions over MPs' pensions changes, easily the most generous, are being held in secret.
The NHS consulted this year on pension options and asked staff to commit to different plans. Then Danny 'Beaker' Alexander ripped the whole package up when he pushed up retirement to 66 leaving many employees having made the wrong decision based on the wrong information.
In the 1980s, there were elements of 'Militant' as part of the far-left wing of the Labour party who relished drawing battle lines with Tories. The world is wholly different now and for Gove and his peers to paint teachers and civil servants as extremists treats them with more contempt and can only increase resolve among the strikers.
Incidentally the geeky type circled in the picture is one Michael Gove manning a NUJ picket line in the 80s. What was he thinking?
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