I remember the 70s well, I returned to civilian life in 73 - just in time for the strikes, short week working, power cuts and unprecedented union power. Many of the crippling strikes were, in my opinion, unjustified and was merely a flexing of union muscle. Small wildcat strikes, before wildcats became illegal, would happen at the drop of a hat and to someone who had been in a disciplined environment was an anathema. However I joined every strike and voted with the "party" line throughout those years.
Over the last 30 years there has been a class war against "unionism", which is a great pity, because being a member of a union is not about striking it is about solidarity for a common cause, which may involve striking, but it is a group of individuals large or small united for a single purpose to improve their working conditions, pay or safety standards and in recent years those causes have been more than necessary with the advent of privatisation. They say it takes two to tango and in the case of strike action in the modern era the tune is definitely being called by the employer. I would not want to see a return to the crazy union days but striking is our only way to make a point when there is no dialogue between the parties.
