Heading towards a general strike?

If the government keep their promise about the triple lock pension then in April 2023 the state pension will increase by the rate of inflation.

I cant identify a group of workers I believe to be making unreasonable demands. The criminal law barristers and nurses for example, no argument they need pay rises

By and large, it hasn’t yet - but what will be the result of large wage increases on existing high prices?

Inflation has not been caused by wage increases this time. It does not seem quite fair to single out one group of strikers to support.

How do you define profiteers?

Imagine if profiteers, diverted their profits to paying higher wages rather than higher salaries for the executives or excessive shareholder payout.

Imagine the increases if all the demands for wage increases at or above the rate of inflation are met.

Outgoings are increasing at an enormous rate, even without any pay rise.

I hope that everyone whose only income is their State pension and who supports wage increases equal to or above the rate of inflation won’t be complaining here about how much their outgoings have increased as a result.

Well, well, surprise surprise!

It sounds terribly British, doesn't it.

CK Hutchinson Holdings is a massive Hong Kong based group with interests world wide and is in the hands of one man and his family

In the UK it owns:

Eversholt Rail Group
UK Power Networks
Northern Gas Networks
Northumbrian Water Group
Wales & West Utilities

Felixstowe port, and probably others, I haven't looked that far.

It runs 3 mobile phone networks in the UK and world wide and has a Health and Beauty division which includes Super Drug.

I don't think it would have a problem with a pay rise for the dock workers.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CK_Hutchison_Holdings

GMB to ballot over 100,000 local government workers over pay

I support all the strikers, I think that it is perhaps easier to identify with strikers in industries in which we, or family members , have some experience. But I don't believe that anyone goes on strike lightly, they all have their reasons.
The money paid to Chris Grayling is an added insult.

I think the striking barristers are, quite apart from the strength of their case, doing something to rid the public of the idea that strikes are all by "the working classes"

A junior barrister having studied for four or five years after getting really good A levels can earn less than the minimum wage.

This country needs to unite against the exploitation of workers, even those with wigs and gowns.

RichmondPark1

I support the barristers and the dock workers.

Why should the union put an under cost of living increase of 7% offer to it's members when Felixstowe docks made £61 million in profits in 2020 and its parent company, CK Hutchison Holding Ltd, handed out £99 million to its shareholders?

Hutchinson manage to pay Chris Grayling £100000 per annum for his brilliant expertise and startling intellect. 7 days a month I think.

The Bank of England forecast inflation to exceed 13% in the coming months and the BBC and FT are reporting that the investment bank Citi forecast inflation at 18%.

Makes 7% seem paltry.

I am very interested in what will happen to the promised triple lock pension increase next year. It is based on CPI in September this year - currently running at 10.1% and predicted to rise. Will they keep their promise? How popular will the new PM be if they fail to keep their promise?

I support all the strikers. The difficulties in trying to survive with the huge rate of inflation and the lack of real rises in pay are terrible.
The huge profits being made and the huge salaries and bonuses paid to senior executives are totally unacceptable.

( The barristers were offered a 15% rise in the amount of legal aid money and thought it wasn't enough. The dock workers were offered 7%. Over 90% of them voted in favour of striking)

I support the barristers and the dock workers.

Why should the union put an under cost of living increase of 7% offer to it's members when Felixstowe docks made £61 million in profits in 2020 and its parent company, CK Hutchison Holding Ltd, handed out £99 million to its shareholders?

Thank you Germanshepherdsmum and Iam64

I have a neighbour who is a criminal barrister doing legal aid work. He sometimes has to travel a long way, paying extortionate train fares only to arrive at court and someone hasn’t turned up and the trial is unable to proceed- he may have to stay overnight in a hotel - then the case might still be delayed- no expenses are paid so he can be out of pocket by £200 or so. No wonder he voted to strike, he ends up earning less than the minimum wage for defending some horrible people.

Iam64

Ilovecheese

I have just heard on the radio that young barristers are leaving the profession. What do they go on to do? Can they be solicitors instead?

They can move out of criminal, into another, more profitable area of law.
Friends who were experienced solicitors working in crime, eventually got sick of turning out in the middle of the night as well as earning much less than skilled trades like plumbing. Two of the moved into P.I claims. Half the stress twice the income.

Our criminal justice system is truly on its knees.

Not just the justice system I fear…

Ilovecheese

I have just heard on the radio that young barristers are leaving the profession. What do they go on to do? Can they be solicitors instead?

They can move out of criminal, into another, more profitable area of law.
Friends who were experienced solicitors working in crime, eventually got sick of turning out in the middle of the night as well as earning much less than skilled trades like plumbing. Two of the moved into P.I claims. Half the stress twice the income.

Our criminal justice system is truly on its knees.

No, they can’t just become solicitors. Maybe some are simply stopping doing criminal work and specialising in other areas of law instead. Years ago I had a barrister friend who did criminal work - horrible stuff for horrible clients you would not want to be left alone with, all over the country, for very little reward. Yes, someone has to do it if people unable to pay a lawyer are to have proper representation, but the pittance that is paid and the time it takes to get paid are truly appalling.

Interesting comment on tv news just now that with our shortage of labour here we will end up like the Brits with Brexit! We sent a lot of migrants home because of Covid and they have not returned - don’t blame them really.

I have just heard on the radio that young barristers are leaving the profession. What do they go on to do? Can they be solicitors instead?