Another Letter from London
CounterPunchNov 25, 2022
The Facts
Chief Operating Officer of the UK's Border Force, Steve Dann, has warned airline and port passengers to expect disruptions over Christmas as approximately 1k passport control workers are scheduled to walk out over the festive season.
Dann stated that the government expects to keep "most if not all ports" open but didn't rule out closures. Border Force members will strike every day from Friday until the end of the year, apart from Dec. 27, with more than 10k flights scheduled to land at airports during that period.
The Spin
Right narrative
Several public sector unions simultaneously deciding to hold strikes in the run-up to Christmas, one of the busiest times of the year, is no coincidence. Even if there's space for sympathy, workers are being used as pawns in an attempt by unions to gain political power. However, with the UK having grown in affluence and consumer expectations since the raging trade unionism in the 1970s, unions shouldn't expect similar success.
Left narrative
Public opinion surrounding the strikes has shifted unavoidably due to the potential disruption to Christmas plans. However, morally backing the strikes is still the right thing to do. These essential workers face a government trying to nickel-and-dime them out of a necessary and well-deserved pay increase, all while dealing with record-high inflation. Even if it inconveniences Brits, it's important to secure fair pay and pensions for workers across the UK.
