07-02-14, 09:42 PM
Quote:Strange that japanese car companies can set up & work well here - perhaps they just have better management than the rank amateurs often at thee head of british 'old boy network' run companies......just an alternative view
That is about it. When certain Japanese companies were considering and negotiating to open car plants in the UK, a few things they were clear about was, 1. They were happy to have a unionised workforce but they insisted on a single union deal (ie they didn't want to have to sit down with 6,7 or 8 unions), 2. they sought assurances from the government that the UK was in the EU common market for good. They needed car plants in Europe to get round EU import restrictions.
The Japanese value and respect their workers and do much business on the basis of trust. Change at work in a Japanese plant is through negotiation.
Talking of British car makers, Triumph Rover in I think the late 80's was in partnership with Honda and both were starting to make some half decent cars sharing technology and common platforms. Thatcher (or was it Major) arrogantly sold Rover to BMW without consulting Honda. Part of the reason BMW wanted to get it's hands on Rover was to get it hands on the new technology that the Japanese were coming up with. If it wasn't for the shear stupidity of certain Tory ministers Rover would still be in partnership with Honda today. A total foc up.
Quote:Employers should look after their employees, and unions & employees should not feel the need to go all militant in their methods to get what they are entitled to.
I can tell you, no employee, no union member ever wants to go on strike. Industrial action can also cement resentment and bitterness in a business. There's no need for industrial action, but when you have dumb macho managers it's inevitable.
A rail service with no ticket offices, I mean what a joke. Surely it's taking the piss out of London Undergrounds customers too.
Anyway polls are showing a strong majority of Londoners supporting the strike despite the inconvenience they are suffering. Maybe Londoners ain't such a bad lot after all
