I never thought I'd ever agree with Teresa May but if the PCS strike it will be shameful

[Hassled]

Story is here.

I get that they're unhappy about threats to 8500 jobs and I sympathise, I really do. But don't fucking strike on a day that will cause massive disruption (how they can say it won't is beyond me) to people coming from other countries who did nothing to deserve it. Just let the Olympics happen.

Teresa May is an arse and anything that gets her to wake up to reality is justified. How else do you get the point across?

isn't that the point of a strike?

TM had it coming big time - throwing her weight around last year, let it bite her on the bum now

TM had it coming big time - throwing her weight around last year, let it bite her on the bum now

I say good luck to the strikers.

It's about time this government got a rocket up their arses about how much ill-feeling there is towards them and the decisions they are making, on behalf of the people of our country.

The games is already a shambles, it's clear that most things were organised so that Dave's friends could make a few quid, and it's all back-firing.

You don't get your point across by causing massive disruption to people from other countries coming to the Olympics. Or at least, if you do, your point would be that you're a bunch of thoughtless fools. It's so shortsighted - there will be no public sympathy.

To clarify - I'm a Labour member. I have no issue with unions and have a firm belief in the right to strike. Just not now.

What's the point of striking if it won't cause disruption? How the hell TM is still in that job is beyond me

The French strike all the time, doesn't stop anyone going to France. Just makes me envious that they actually get angry about stuff

'Home Secretary Theresa May said the action was "shameful" as it threatens disruption to people travelling to London for the Games.'

embarrassing for the Govt is what she means

the way the Govt is treating millions of decent people is what is "shameful"

You can't be selective about action otherwise any huffings and puffings are meaningless.

Only 20% of PCS members responded to the ballot. They don't have what you'd call a whopping mandate.

WTF am I now a TM apologist? Bloody hell - what's happened to me? I hate the woman. But on this - I think she's right.

Hang your head in shame!
Solidarity bruv.

It's the perfect opportunity to strike. Cause massive disruption, worldwide embarrassment to the govt etc. Although they should be more embarrassed about what they're doing to the country tbh

Completely agree, Ponders.

I hope it does show the govt up for the shoddy, not fit-for-purpose outfit it is.

As posters have said, maximum disruption is the point. I agree it's not ideal for athletes, but surely most of them should be here and settled, the day before the games begin ?

Those same politicians wont be feeling crappy sat in their premier seats at the various stadia, enjoying and watching the Olympics, knowing that the majority of the country can't afford them. Getting 'fast-tracked' to the various stadia, while the majority of London's workers struggle to get to work.

Will they ?

If you don't vote, you can't argue with the result.

Hassled hearts TM

Yeah - it turns out I have a big giant girl crush on the lovely Teresa - dammit. Rumbled.

Normally I wouldn't care about disruption, massive or otherwise. I'd be supporting them. But this isn't embarrassment for the Coalition - this will be embarrassment for the whole country. It's too big a thing to piss about with - it's not fair on individual travellers, and it will reflect badly on all of us. Your disgruntled traveller from Idaho won't distinguish between the "them and us". Let the Olympics just happen, and then make your point.

I think it's far too late to be worrying about it being embarassing for the country.

I think we are already a laughing stock, and not just because of the fiasco's with the Olympics now coming to light.

I doubt very much that "the whole country" will be embarrassed

I certainly won't

(I am much more embarrassed by the G4S shambles, the Border Agency shambles earlier in the year & the M4 elevated section repair shambles...)

OK - I'll be embarrassed. They shouldn't strike because I'll be embarrassed. That's reasonable, right?

It will make us all look like incompetent fuckwits. Not the coalition, not TM, not the Tories - us. And I'm not an incompetent fuckwit. I resent being made to seem like one.

I disagree

it'll only make the Govt & other responsible parties look like incompetent fuckwits

& the other responsible parties can all point their fingers at the Govt & say "it was mostly them, guv"

At first I agreed with the OP. But I've thought about this. And now I'm not so sure. About time the smug pain in the neck was given a wake up call.

Teresa May that is!

I just cannot believe that anyone would feel that it is acceptable to strike at this time!

The Olympics should showcase the UK to the world, it should help promote trade, build relationships, improve profile.

If this goes ahead the message to the world will be "don't give jobs to the British - they are idiots! Don't bother going on a trip there, don't spend any money there, it is a backward country, and they do not welcome visitors"

I too am embarrassed.

Hassled I agree with you. I also don't think it's a very effective move right now - we are having the Olympics, whether we like it or not. I think most people now hope that it will be a celebration and an opportunity for our country to show its best side (despite G4S horrors and not being able to sell chips that aren't McDs and all the other nonsense) just because it's happening anyway so let's make the best of it. I don't think this is the moment to strike because it will alienate some ordinary people, like me.

Likewise I was pretty unimpressed with the bloody cabbies holding an impromptu blockade in London this week because they don't like the fact that they are not allowed in the games lanes. I may not like the games lanes but I'm fine with the fact that black cabs aren't allowed to use them. I thought it made the cabbies seem entitled and destructive whereas they always claim to be so brilliant for the image of London.