Tristram Crosses Picket Line

[Santa]

http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/comment/owen-jones-tristram-hunt-was-bang-out-of-order-to-cross-a-picket-lineand-his-party-is-guilty-of-not-standing-up-for-workers-rights-9124152.html

 

Nice to see one of our local MPs standing in solidarity with the labour movement.

[geosname]

People have the right to strike, people have the right not to strike, its a choice they make in a ballot. People in a different union and none union members are not asked and make their own decisions whether to cross "picket lines" or not to fulfill their contractual obligations. Isnt that the right way?

[Markie G]

Built from Unions, Labour MP's should not be crossing picket lines.

[seaford riseling]

Truth be told though, its been a long time since being a labour M.P. meant you were committed to the principles of trade unionism or indeed the Labour movement in general. In any case 30 years ago nobody would have been surprised that someone called Tristram crossed a picket line;)

[geosname]

I dont have a problem with unions calling a ballot followed by a strike, I have no problem with picket lines provided they are orderly and lawful and I have no problem with people crossing them if thats what they choose to do, for whatever reason.

[Bycarsbill]

Built from Unions, Labour MP's should not be crossing picket lines.

 

Labour MP's called Tristram and went to posh public schools--a bit of a contradiction anyway don't you think?

[Markie G]

Labour MP's called Tristram and went to posh public schools--a bit of a contradiction anyway don't you think?

 

Its about your views, not your background.

[JOHNNYAITCH]

Doesn't your background affect your views?

 

He's an MP, he's not on strike so I don't see an issue if he wants to cross the line

[Santa]

Its about your views, not your background.

Broadly speaking I agree, but it's worth noting that the marginalisation of Trade Unions means that they don't train and put forward as many candidates with working class backgrounds as they used to.

 

Stoke on Trent has three safe Labour seats. Since Stevenson and Fisher stepped down, the party has parachuted in Flello and Hunt, and has wasted little time in promoting Hunt to the Shadow Cabinet. When Joan Whalley steps down next year they will probably do the same. Very little chance of Stoke on Trent North getting a local person who understands the area, more likely it will be a career politician looking for a safe seat so they can work their way into a ministerial position.

[aspins-revenge]

As a member of the UCU and involved in this particular strike action , I would agree that the best we can do as union members is ask people not to cross picket lines in support of our dispute.

 

However, for a Labour MP and shadow education secretary to cross this picket line to deliver a lecture, is simply unacceptable. It shows how little he undertands or cares about the people he should be representing.

 

For the record, I couldn't care less about what his name is, I just think he's a disgrace and a right proper wand.

[bycars rob]

I can`t believe how many people think it ok to cross a picket line, no wonder employers hold the upper hand.