Other forms of industrial action

[trickyvegas]

They could refuse to take fares on board but still take responsibly for the doors and train safety, which would have a negative effect on the operator but not on the passengers.

At first glance seems like a good idea, but not for those boarding at unstaffed stations arriving into a mainline station only to be confronted a massive queue at the barriers for people waiting to buy tickets.

 

[Smudger105e]

Has"Industrial Action" ever genuinely worked?

Absolutely it has.

In the final analysis, employers hold the trumps, and such action simply hardens attitudes, and is disastrous PR.. There has to be a willingness for proper negotiation on both sides, and it is the job of the union to facilitate this on the part of employees.

It depends how the dispute is handled whether it is a PR disaster. I agree there has to be a willingness for both sides to conduct 'proper negotiations' as you say, BUT employers hold the trumps (as you also say) and what alternative is there to hard line Management techniques?

Rarely are "the bosses" out to shaft the workers

I do not agree

I do wish the world would grow up

Me too, but the Tory Government of Margaret Thatcher made sure that the employers had all the power, and the Trades Unions had to jump through hoops to declare any industrial action, and in my opinion, took away the Union's powers of negotiation.