RMT suspend their second-in-command

[387star]

Steve Hedley of the RMT has been rightly suspended for remarks he made about Boris Johnson on his social media

Will this result in a large shakeup of the RMT leadership?

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

RMT PR strikes again:

Rail union chief suspended for saying he would ‘throw a party’ if Boris Johnson died from coronavirus

A senior union official has been suspended after saying he would be “throwing a party” if Boris Johnson died from coronavirus.

www.politicshome.com

A senior union official has been suspended after saying he would be “throwing a party” if Boris Johnson died from coronavirus.
Steve Hedley, assistant general secretary of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT), made the remark on Facebook.
Replying to another user of the site, he said: "I don't want to offend you, but if Bojo pops his clogs, I'm throwing a party.”
Mr Hedley later added: "I hope the whole Cabinet and higher echelons of the Tory party have been touching various bits of him."
Following a backlash, the left-winger said on Wednesday that he "stood by every word".

 

[scotrail158713]

RMT PR strikes again:

Rail union chief suspended for saying he would ‘throw a party’ if Boris Johnson died from coronavirus

A senior union official has been suspended after saying he would be “throwing a party” if Boris Johnson died from coronavirus.

www.politicshome.com

Words fail to describe such stupidity

 

[farleigh]

What an odious thing to say.

 

[Tetchytyke]

RMT PR strikes again:

Rail union chief suspended for saying he would ‘throw a party’ if Boris Johnson died from coronavirus

A senior union official has been suspended after saying he would be “throwing a party” if Boris Johnson died from coronavirus.

www.politicshome.com

Without even opening the article I knew it was going to be Steve Hedley.

What a pathetic man he is. Perhaps he should go back to beating the bejesus out of his girlfriend.

I wouldn't shed many tears for Boris- he's ill through his own hubris, after all- but wishing him dead is a bit lot too much.

 

[DarloRich]

Without even opening the article I knew it was going to be Steve Hedley.

What a pathetic man he is. Perhaps he should go back to beating the bejesus out of his girlfriend.

I wouldn't shed any tears for Boris- he's ill through his own hubris, after all- but wishing him dead is a bit lot too much.

idiotic man

 

[Harvey B]

RMT PR strikes again:

Rail union chief suspended for saying he would ‘throw a party’ if Boris Johnson died from coronavirus

A senior union official has been suspended after saying he would be “throwing a party” if Boris Johnson died from coronavirus.

www.politicshome.com

This is one of those sick and cruel people I was talking about. No matter what your opinon is on Boris nobody should wish death on him.
(On a Side Note: I'm not surprised that something like that has come from an RMT high up and this is one of many reasons why I don't like them. I would say the other reasons but thats something for another thread)

 

[Scott M]

Sky News have revealed that RMT have suspended their second-in-command, Steve Hedley, for reportedly saying he would "throw a party" if Boris Johnson died from coronavirus.

Steve Hedley, a senior trade union official, has been suspended after making disparaging comments about the prime minister's health.

The RMT's senior assistant general secretary - effectively its number two - is now subject to a "formal investgation".

The union said in a statement its national executive had decided to suspend him while inquiries are made "into his conduct".

It comes after Mr Hedley reportedly said he would "throw a party" if Boris Johnson died from coronavirus.

RMT president Michelle Rodgers and general secretary Mick Cash said in a joint statement: "Steve Hedley's comments do not represent the views of this trade union and are wholly unacceptable."


Mr Johnson has been moved out of intensive care but is still being treated in hospital.

The latest update from Downing Street was that he "has been able to do short walks" between periods of rest.

Mr Johnson's spokesman said it was too early to speculate how long the prime minister would need to stay in hospital, adding he was not aware of any contact between Mr Johnson and Number 10.

I feel this is another PR blow for the much-maligned union. Public opinion towards them is already poor for bringing misery on commuters, this could be the final nail in the coffin for the Tories to really clamp down on them, which may explain why they have moved so quickly to suspend him.

 

[thenorthern]

There was a Labour mayor who got in trouble for saying Boris Johnson deserved to get the virus. It's not acceptable language from anyone.

 

[ComUtoR]

Unacceptable when someone wants to have a party if Boris passes but totally acceptable when Margaret Thatcher passed. There was even a poll about it being Good or Bad.

Baroness Thatcher has died

Whatever your opinion on her premiership this is still the passing of an iconic figure of British history: Ex-Prime Minister Baroness Thatcher dies Former Prime Minister Baroness Thatcher has died at 87 following a stroke, her spokesman has said. Lord Bell said: "It is with great sadness that...

www.railforums.co.uk

(forum thread discussing Maggie's death; some in celebration)

A song in the charts...

Ding Dong! The Witch Is Dead enters chart at two

Ding Dong! The Witch Is Dead fails to reach the number one spot in the music charts after a campaign from Baroness Thatcher opponents.

www.bbc.co.uk

(link to for 'Ding dong' charting at number 2)

Street parties...

There Was Another Thatcher Death Party in London This Weekend

It takes more than rain and Millwall fans to put the anarchists off a rave.

www.vice.com

(link to Vice.com article for a London street party, note: one of many)


and even a T-Shirt you could buy...

https://www.redbubble.com/i/t-shirt/Ding-Dong-by-Rossman72/10194989.CW2C9?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=g.pla+notset&country_code=GB&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI5On13Mre6AIVTe3tCh1Ozw0TEAQYAyABEgJHbfD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

(link shows a T-Shirt with the slogan 'Ding dong the witch is dead)

 

[Iskra]

Unacceptable when someone wants to have a party if Boris passes but totally acceptable when Margaret Thatcher passed. There was even a poll about it being Good or Bad.

Baroness Thatcher has died

Whatever your opinion on her premiership this is still the passing of an iconic figure of British history: Ex-Prime Minister Baroness Thatcher dies Former Prime Minister Baroness Thatcher has died at 87 following a stroke, her spokesman has said. Lord Bell said: "It is with great sadness that...

www.railforums.co.uk

(forum thread discussing Maggie's death; some in celebration)

A song in the charts...

Ding Dong! The Witch Is Dead enters chart at two

Ding Dong! The Witch Is Dead fails to reach the number one spot in the music charts after a campaign from Baroness Thatcher opponents.

www.bbc.co.uk

(link to for 'Ding dong' charting at number 2)

Street parties...

There Was Another Thatcher Death Party in London This Weekend

It takes more than rain and Millwall fans to put the anarchists off a rave.

www.vice.com

(link to Vice.com article for a London street party, note: one of many)


and even a T-Shirt you could buy...

https://www.redbubble.com/i/t-shirt/Ding-Dong-by-Rossman72/10194989.CW2C9?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=g.pla+notset&country_code=GB&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI5On13Mre6AIVTe3tCh1Ozw0TEAQYAyABEgJHbfD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

(link shows a T-Shirt with the slogan 'Ding dong the witch is dead)

It's great that the discourse has progressed in maturity. The Thatcher hating narrative goes back a long way in time;

But there is a difference between ordinary members of the public saying such things (often anonymously) and people who are in a position of responsibility saying such things.

Equally, Boris Johnson is nowhere near as controversial at Thatcher.

 

[ComUtoR]

The Thatcher hating narrative goes back a long way in time;

So does the Union/Tory narrative.

But there is a difference between ordinary members of the public saying such things (often anonymously) and people who are in a position of responsibility saying such things.

People in a position of responsibility should know better. I fully support the suspension of Steve Hedley, as well as the termination of Sheila Oakes and whatever happens to Julie Heselwood. However, there is a huge element of virtue signalling. People are forced to fall on their sword and pitchforks at down come out every time someone's head is on the block.

Why do we castigate those in charge but accept the same, if not worse, behaviour from others. I get the implications of those in power etc but turning a blind eye to everyone else still drives hatred forward.

Equally, Boris Johnson is nowhere near as controversial at Thatcher.

Does that make it somehow more or less acceptable ?

 

[Iskra]

So does the Union/Tory narrative.



People in a position of responsibility should know better. I fully support the suspension of Steve Hedley, as well as the termination of Sheila Oakes and whatever happens to Julie Heselwood. However, there is a huge element of virtue signalling. People are forced to fall on their sword and pitchforks at down come out every time someone's head is on the block.

Why do we castigate those in charge but accept the same, if not worse, behaviour from others. I get the implications of those in power etc but turning a blind eye to everyone else still drives hatred forward.



Does that make it somehow more or less acceptable ?

Personally, I saw many comments on Twitter about Boris that were unpalatable. I didn't reply to any because a) there were too many for me to realistically engage with b) I think a lot of it was just a weird form of attention seeking, so why fuel the fire? c) Empty vessels make most noise- I don't pay attention and move on to people's opinions who I respect. You can't silence every idiot, but you can expect people in paid positions to behave professionally and with some decorum. I accept such behaviour exists, but it doesn't mean I endorse it.

I'm not a massive fan of Thatcher, nor are many people around these parts, but I didn't feel the need to celebrate her death, or even express comment on it, I steered well clear of the subject.

To some people that would seem to make it more acceptable yes.

 

[Drogba11CFC]

Hopefully he gets the boot. I mean, given his history of domestic violence and antisemitism, his position should have been untenable long ago - which says a lot about the RMT.

 

[Ian Hardy]

Don't forget that RMT Rule book has the following within Rule 1:

Objects

4. The objects of the Union shall be:-
(a) to secure the complete organisation of all workers employed by any board, company or authority in connection with rail, sea and other transport and ancillary undertakings and offshore energy;
(b) to work for the supersession of the capitalist system by a socialistic order of society;

Rule 1

 

[ExRes]

Don't forget that RMT Rule book has the following within Rule 1:
Objects
4. The objects of the Union shall be:-
(a) to secure the complete organisation of all workers employed by any board, company or authority in connection with rail, sea and other transport and ancillary undertakings and offshore energy;
(b) to work for the supersession of the capitalist system by a socialistic order of society;

Rule 1

What does that have to do with the comments Hedley made?

 

[Iskra]

Don't forget that RMT Rule book has the following within Rule 1:
Objects
4. The objects of the Union shall be:-
(a) to secure the complete organisation of all workers employed by any board, company or authority in connection with rail, sea and other transport and ancillary undertakings and offshore energy;
(b) to work for the supersession of the capitalist system by a socialistic order of society;

Rule 1

4b. Does not necessarily mean their intentions are somehow nefarious. They are simply stating a desire to collectively better themselves. Socialism is seen as an ideal, almost utopian egalitarian end state- beyond Communism- a historic example of which has never come to fruition. In theory it's a really good thing, it's just getting there... ...and then relying on all human beings in society to not be selfish, hoard-power and be corrupt...

 

[bussnapperwm]

The thing is, it depends on what context it was being said and to whom/how it was being said.

Whilst I wouldn't wish someone dead, people are entitled to opinions. Or are we going to start suspending Those who celebrated when Maggie Thatcher died, or those who say that Diana's death was ordered from the top, or that they wished something upon their worst enemy?

 

[farleigh]

This man is warped and people who celebrated Margaret Thatcher's death were equally warped IMO.

 

[Dai Corner]

It's worth noting that Hedley was *elected* to his position, not appointed.

 

[bramling]

Steve Hedley of the RMT has been rightly suspended for remarks he made about Boris Johnson on his social media

Will this result in a large shakeup of the RMT leadership?

Hedley is off his head. No surprise this comment came from him.

 

[yorkie]

...Whilst I wouldn't wish someone dead, people are entitled to opinions....

This is a strange post; I can only assume you've never been in a position of any responsibility towards upholding the reputation of an organisation you represent. Being entitled to an opinion is not the same thing as expressing an opinion in a manner that brings an organisation into disrepute. To suggest that anyone who represents any organisation can say literally anything is absurd.

 

[WrongRoad]

It’s amazing how someone so Left Wing actually ends up being so Right Wing by wishing someone dead because of their political views. Hypocrisy really, the RMT policy on social inclusion no matter on race, gender etc yet a high up official of the RMT going against really what it stands for.

 

[yorkie]

It’s amazing how someone so Left Wing actually ends up being so Right Wing by wishing someone dead because of their political views. Hypocrisy really, the RMT policy on social inclusion no matter on race, gender etc yet a high up official of the RMT going against really what it stands for.

I agree. In my opinion the extreme left (and I absolutely include Steve Hedley in that category) are almost as bad as the extreme right; both have very dangerous views and are incredibly intolerant. I couldn't imagine having anything to do with individuals like that at my workplace; it would be unthinkable. At any sensible, pragmatic organisation he would have been suspended years ago.

 

[Carlisle]

It's worth noting that Hedley was *elected* to his position, not appointed.

As were a number of tyrants throughout history

 

[Belperpete]

The problem when you demonise someone, is that it is easy to forget that they are human. Just because someone holds a different politic outlook is no reason to demonise them.

 

[Belperpete]

As were a number of tyrants throughout history

Is it OK to celebrate a tyrant's death? Hitler?

 

[scotrail158713]

The problem when you demonise someone, is that it is easy to forget that they are human. Just because someone holds a different politic outlook is no reason to demonise them.

He is within his rights to hold a different political view - I myself am no Conservative or Boris Johnson fan. However publicly wishing death on someone because of these political views is what’s out of order.

 

[Cowley]

OK... It’s probably time to take a few steps back and the odd deep breath before posting on this thread for the time being.
Keep it sensible please, and try to keep the discussion on topic as this has been heading off in all kinds of different directions this last few posts.
Thank you!

Edit - Everything that needed to be said has probably been said now. Thread lockdown time...