S T R I K E !
 

What a truly sad world we live in. I read in this morning's papers that the poor, oppressed, malcontents who run our railway system are incensed that their pension funds are in the red and that they may be compelled to work until they are 65 to claim a pension - the very idea! The poor dears must be on the verge of spitting blood! They are also pretty miffed that they may be required to divvy up a little more of their not-so-hard-earned dosh to plug the gap - oh the outrage?

So miffed and sorely oppressed are they that they are contemplating shutting down the entire rail network by going on strike for the first time in over a decade. While I have no argument with the notion that it is every working man's right to withdraw his labour. I do take issue with the notion that some sections of industry consider themselves so far above the herd that they not only demand special treatment and consideration but are quite prepared to scream and scream and scream until they make themselves sick, and they can, in order to get their way.

The Rail Comapnies will, of course, give way. The railway workers will have their pensions paid for them, they will still be allowed to retire at sixty, and the rest of us will end up footing the bill in higher fares and lowered investment. Thus proving that in this best of all socialist worlds, where everyone is equal, there are still a surprising number who believe themselves to be more equal than the rest.

Re: S T R I K E !
 

I travel a lot by train and the guys out in the middle of a winters night fixing rails if they want to retire at 60 not a problem. After 40 myears of that kind of work they might not reach 65. Some on the otherhand have it so cushy it beggers belief. For example a "Train Manager" must be hard work talking into a tannoy and checking tickets. So I they are manual workers 60 all the others including drivers who sit down on the job all day 70.

Re: S T R I K E !
 

Track workers are hard working, and have a very responsible job, I'm not sure I'd want a 65 year old doing a visual inspection of track. You do realise they still walk the tracks doing a visual inspection for faults, twists, cracks, wet beds, etc. this is with the line open, most of the time. If they get it wrong and people die they're up on a manslaughter charge.

Re: S T R I K E !
 

Fair enough, it's a dangerous job, but so are many others and I presume that they are paid for doing it.

Re: S T R I K E !
 

Fine but you would expect them to move people from one job to another if they become unable to do the manual work, wouldn't you?

Re: S T R I K E !
 

Would depend if they wanted to move on.