toots wrote:
fatnuggit wrote:
If you're as qualified as me then you didn't pay did yer?
But then you got all the answers so none of us should need worry about the LC, it's all in the safe hands of the usual suspects.........
That's a bit of a harsh assessment and I did say I never paid for any of my qualifications. I don't claim to have all the answers either but I do know there is no simple solution to this consultation because everybody has their own version of what they believe is right and many have agendas of their own
At no point do I disagree.
However, firstly, I can and will justify to anyone my reasons for why I do training. I'm a cabbie with 20+ years experience and I'm a very good Assessor(according to my past and present providers), and take pride in my work. When people criticise me for it I will defend myself. Whether those people like it or not is up to them.
Second, I am a member of Unite, but not active in branch anymore, I've been ostracised by them for the second time in 3 years, because I like to represent all drivers, that is members and non members(who are potential members). As a trade Unionist/Socialist, I believe that a well educated workforce is a priority. The majority of cabbies are poorly educated people, unfortunately. I believe that all workers should have representation with regard to their Pay and Conditions(H&S etc). I also believe that workers should have a say in how thier Pay and Conditions are arrived at.
This is why I keep on about the LC and how important it is for all organisations to mobilise their members and use all resources available to them, to try and get as many submissions in before the deadline.
Thirdly, I come on here because the information I see is of great interest, ie: the minutes of the LC meetings. As a Unite member I get none of this info because my face doesn't fit.
Yet on this forum, there is a more open approach, in fact you guys are miles ahead, your knowledge is greater than mine and your ideas are more forward in their thinking.
I'm on your side, yet the s**t I've been getting cos I do training, not driving is just distracting to be fair.
The fact that we all have our own agendas is the whole point really, as I said in my lead article(which will also be run in TaxiTalk Sept issue fingers crossed)self employment is divisive in it's nature, it is one of the ways that enabled politicians to break the workforce. Therefore logic will tell us that no matter what Unite want, it will almost certainly be denied.
My argument with Unite began during the campaign, when I stupidly said, "What if the campaign fails? What then? Shouldn't we have more than one submission so that if one fails another may succeed?" I was told no, they knew best you see.
So I did my own submission, SAFE, a trial of which is now in operation, wait for it, in Liverpool, home of, you guessed it, Unite 6/680! F**king unbelievable.
At the time of the submissions for the TSC, I proposed that all active members submitted as individuals, different, yet important issues, so that a few might be recommended, under the radar, while the main branch fought for the 'big one', CBH. It seems that I may have been on to something, as my SAFE idea has become a reality. By the way it's on the same rank that Unite's chairman and National Organiser used to work as well! No doubt he will be taking the credit for it.
While I am still a member, mainly to rub a few people up the wrong way, let me tell you our trade is in the hands of a few, small minded, capitalist individuals who are posing as trade unionists. They are far from it, in fact it's the only trade union branch I can think of that is run by employers.
I am NOT liked for these views, but it's the truth.
So please fellers, you may disagree with me and you may think that i'm just on the NVQ gravy train, but this LC consultation is a real opportunity and anyone in a position to help drivers to submit, should organise and do so. Process can work if it is organised, things such as the survey you posted are great ideas, the e-petition too. A copy of your submission should also go to your MP and MEP. Always keep up the pressure.
Sorry for the rant but I do feel I've been misunderstood and all this squabbling is just a distraction.
Off for a lie down.