Vic Patterson

That's the year before my Model T Touring!

Happy birthday Merc.

  _{Happy Australia day mate.} 

A true VIP Malcolm! good choice.

The Wireless. If we were lucky, in the winter, and me dad had worked overtime and managed to buy some extra coal from the mining neighbourhood (Temple's or Cavaghan's) then the 'front-room' fire was lit and the radiogram with built in record player was switched on.

The Navy Lark & Round the Horne (both can still be heard now on iPlayer 4Extra) - The Goons - 

Peter Brough Educating Archie - was he the only ventriloquist on the wireless?

Now I'm struggling with the actual name - British Forces Broadcasting was it the World (wide) Service?

The Clitheroe Kid. Listen here Pop Pickers, the chart show with Pete ____ ? Radio Luxembourg.

Board game - draughts (checkers), Monopoly or Taxi.

 

Flat Yorkshire Pudding baked in one large tin where the sides rose up the tin to form a nice crunchie bit whilst the bottom of the tin was spongey.

Rice (milk) pudding. I hated the skin that formed on the top.

The Sunday Post - Oor Wullie, The Broons and a page of jokes.

 

Save electricity me dad would play the accordion or the organ powered by the two large foot pedals. Various stoppers on it to change the tone.

British Forces Broadcasting was it the World (wide) Service "Two Way Family Favourite's" Played requests from servicemen overseas, we had a couple.

Pete Murray on radio Luxemburg. Dan Dare "Journey into Space" with the Mighty Meccon!

All of the above and Family favourites on wireless at noon

Google on "UK Unfair Dismissal"  It's an entire industry in the UK populated by ambulance chasing lawyers and other drones.  It produces nothing and has destroyed millions of UK jobs. Some employers have even paid up to people who have never worked for them; that's because the law is so slanted against employers, and it's cheaper just to pay the fraudster than pay the fat-cat lawyers.

Almost at epidemic proportions!

Why would a good employer want to "unfairly dismiss" a worker who was fully committed to his/her job?  This makes no economic sense yet we are supposed to believe that this happens regularly.

I'm sure a "good" employer wouldn't but are you suggesting bad employers don't! You ask, are we supposed to believe it happens regularly? I personally haven't heard of an unfair dismissal since 1962 when I witnessed it!(the employer gaining a contract extension due to contrived strike) is it a common occurrence where you live?

I also believe totally incompetent employees are grossly over protected! which penalises the employer!

"EETUPTU gobbling up smaller Groups" that's very good Vic - (eat up 2)

That is funny Canny lass! I never saw it like that...

Electronic Electrical Trades Union Plumbing trades Union.

Discussion is never meaningless, Vic, and it's Always good to try and understand both sides.

What I see is the miners paid the price for "the unions†becoming too strong and and dictating to the government what policies they would allow! far from the original mandate of unions to look after the workers working conditions.

My union at the time ETU was run by communists, it became EETU then EETUPTU gobbling up smaller groups to give them voting power at the TUC!

I realise the discussion is more about the miners strike for which I have very little knowledge, only that from the media.... I saw both Thatcher and the miners vilified! but I do find it interesting the views of both sides, I don't think anyone was on the fence for this dispute!

An employer has a absolute right to decide who works for them,

When an employee is hired and both parties have signed a contract that both have to follow, the employee follows that contract to the letter, then the employee is terminated, is that not unfair? does the employer have the right to ignore a contract?

But you must like children's simplistic, non judgemental, unbiased, non prejudicial views! they can be humorous and eye opening. (probably because they don't see the consequences, just the situation)

Your negotiating style may work in small industries where there is alternative employment. But I must say I don't think it would work with larger industry or government.

Some! of my strike experiences...

Strike one, Blyth Power station, early 1963, I was earning about 8-9 pence (1/3d) per hour, Electrician sacked for refusing to work in an unsafe area, one week strike then re-instate the electrician, the company is then given two days for every day lost, company now meets new deadline, (workers fell for it every time!) we apprentices were allowed to work during the strike!

Strike two, early 70's, Alcan smelter, not sure of the reason for the strike (probably money) Communist run union created hostile environment, created violent picket lines that were manned ONLY by radical university students, NO Alcan workers in sight!

Strike three, (almost) Government of Alberta, Province of Alberta trades and related workers (50-60,000) Union contract was expired for over two years, both parties agree to BINDING arbitration, Government give list of 10 arbitrators to pick from (that they appoint!) arbitrators find in favour of union, government reject and use second arbitrator, arbitrator again finds in union favour, government again reject! Government then legislate a roll back of wages 5% cancel statutory holiday, reduce vacations and some benefits!

In those situations it was not bad communications but just not bargaining in good faith! your methods would not be effective and I would not leave my employment because of those situations.

I have never worked in a job I did not like! (I can say that now, maybe not then!) I have worked in many extreme conditions, many extreme hours often for poor wages, but loved the camaraderie and challenges, even the money! I retired three years ago, but recently returned to assist the employer, employees and "clients†(and will possibly be out of pocket, pensions, taxes and benefits)

While you were working in the nursing profession if a colleague (who has family to support) you knew was unfairly dismissed, and your union group were unable to negotiate a fair settlement and decided to strike for her re-instatement, would you support her or go look for another job?

The naivety of children may not always be unwise! I would again ask how would you negotiate with the other party when the other party is not being reasonable and have their own agenda? and are not talking with the intent to reach an agreement but to further some other cause!

I must respectfully disagree Canny Lass, having been on both sides of strikes and lock-outs I feel unless there is an AGREEABLE means of binding arbitration then the right to strike (withdraw ones services) or lock-out (close the gates) is a basic right!

While working to support your family I don,t see anything childish in negotiating for safety, rights, benefits, working conditions even wages! How would you communicate / negotiate with an unreasonable employer / employee?