Strike Action

Melanie Veness:  PCB CEO   

During the last week we interviewed for a position at the chamber, and in view of the high unemployment levels, it was especially wonderful to be able to give a young and enthusiastic person an opportunity to work. It must be very disheartening to keep applying for jobs, and to keep getting nowhere. Having listened to the personal circumstances of candidates, I wished that I could employ all of the people that I interviewed.

Then I got to thinking about human nature. When you are unemployed, you think: “If only I could get a job, then my whole world will change,” and you tell yourself and anyone who will listen that you will be committed and work hard, if only you could be given the opportunity.  Then I asked myself: "Did the municipal workers who went on strike last week think that before they were employed? When did sentiment start changing from being grateful to dissatisfaction to the point of justifying their anarchical actions."

Do we favour the position of the employee to such an extent that people believe that once they are employed, it's impossible to dismiss them, no matter what they do? Especially if they are employed in the public sector?  Business people and residents alike have been left  bewildered, but thoroughly incensed by the behaviour of the municipal strikers this past week – some are insisting that legal action be taken. Enough is enough, they say, and can they be blamed?

The ratepayers of our city pay the salaries of these ill-disciplined individuals who show them no regard, and who display complete disrespect for our city. Strike if you must strike, but to pull bins over in the streets and set things alight is disgusting behavior. To threaten and intimidate colleagues who exercise their right to work is abominable and to sabotage electricity and water supplies to ratepayers is unforgivable.

It is bad enough not to receive the services that you are paying for, but who is going to make up the wages of the factory workers who were sent home on short time? Who is going to compensate business for the financial losses incurred as a result of this unruly behavior?

The fact is that our labour laws do not allow people to get away with this kind of misconduct, in any sector, and we shouldn’t allow them to. Municipal officials are being paid to manage the affairs of the city on behalf of the ratepayers, and ratepayers want to see some decisive action being taken. The message must be loud and clear - this kind of serious misconduct is not only unacceptable, but it has serious consequences for those that engage in it. Not acting is tantamount to endorsing the behaviour.

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