Labour caves in to Union demands

Thankfully we don’t run policy on anecdotal evidence.

Wwm2 as a social scientist in a previous life, I am surprised that the government has not looked very closely at the whole problem of doctor recruitment and retention. Perhaps Wes Streeting has some great ideas yet to be revealed?

When I was a member of the NAS I most certainly opted out of the bit of the union payments that go to the Labour Party.

It has been looked at ronib in the manifesto as in an overhaul of working practices (just checked) but it's far, far too early for detailed policy. There are no "quick fixes" on this one as it means looking at the NHS as a whole.

The government had to settle the disputes there is no chance of any kind of recovery hampered by strikes. I do hope that they will not be “soft” on the unions because the economy will suffer.

Junior doctors in particular did deserve a decent pay rise, as for training new doctors, many, probably “most” doctors have trained overseas. I had a hip replaced last year only the consultant was British all other staff were migrant, Kenya, Poland, Malaysia, plus 2 lovely student nurses from Nepal, were ones I remember

eazybee

When I was a member of the NAS I most certainly opted out of ^the bit of the union payments that go to the Labour Party. ^

In that case I sincerely hope you declined to accept any pay rises or better/safer working conditions brought about through a Labour government. I'm sure you realise that every single scrap of hard won legislation regarding workers' rights, equality and safety in the workplace has been a result of the Labour party, which is why they were formed in the first place.

eazybee
That’s your right. No party should be able to commandeer part of your union contributions, without giving you the opt out.
Imagine the uproar even on GN if part of everyone’s union contribution had to go to the Conservative Party, or Reform!

In 2013, a full-time Unite member paying at the 'core' rate paid 66p per month into the Political Fund. I don’t know what the rate is now, but the choice should be yours.

Back then, Ed Milliband said he didn’t want union members to pay money to Labour through those fees unless they've deliberately chosen to do so.
So if a Labour party person thought that, then was he wrong?

Wyllow3 manifestos are worth very little as we all know. I thought Wes Streeting and Amanda Pritchard, head of NHS have a few new ideas so it’s a bit of a guessing game at the moment.
A bit like wondering what is planned on inheritance tax and pension benefits etc. Designed to worry rather than reassure?

I think retention is one of the major issues with young doctors. The pay, but also the cost of moving and constantly finding new accommodation under the post-graduate training rotation system.

I think that has been recognised as a real issue and being looked at.

Yes, manifestos can only give a broad outline of intention. Have to wait for actual policy proposals to comment. Tough times with so much needing addressing!

Whitewavemark2

I think that has been recognised as a real issue and being looked at.

Yes, the doctors were saying after the initial meeting with Wes Streeting that it was the first time that anyone in government had listened to their concerns.

I think that "Being heard" goes a long way to accepting compromise. I imagine aspects of the NHS were discussed in this meetings as well as in future conditions.

The bigger issue is what’s been proposed that was carefully omitted from the manifesto.
NB The problem with ongoing training for young doctors is a valid one, but they can’t possibly learn everything in all areas in their initial training. Moving around just adds to the problem.

It happens in other fields as well. DD has been working with SEND children, dealing with the paperwork and outside agencies for years, alongside teaching, but to apply for a promoted post, she had to do a 3 year MA course, whilst still working.

twinnytwin

This thread isn't another one about causing of inflation - it's about Labour caving into their union paymasters within such a short time in power with nothing in return.

Inaccurate on two counts.

Inflation was mentioned previously in relation to pay.

And the Labour Party's income from trades unions is about half that from companies and individuals, hardly 'paymasters'.

And the Labour Party's income from trades unions is about half that from companies and individuals, hardly 'paymasters'.

I thought the point was being made that you had to opt out of paying to the Labour Party, because the choice to pay had been made for you.
Are businesses or individuals obliged to contribute to any party including Labour. Do we need to opt out of any of our pay being made to political parties or is it just Labour?

Why do train drivers get such a hefty wage? I know a train driver who has moved to a 2 million pound house in Wales with his wife who is a sahw

Mt61

Why do train drivers get such a hefty wage? I know a train driver who has moved to a 2 million pound house in Wales with his wife who is a sahw

The training is very long, they have know the line they are using intimately, they are responsible for many hundreds of passengers without a co driver, drivers are only a small % of rail staff but without them nothing moves.

Mt61

Why do train drivers get such a hefty wage? I know a train driver who has moved to a 2 million pound house in Wales with his wife who is a sahw

And your problem with this is...?

David49

Mt61

Why do train drivers get such a hefty wage? I know a train driver who has moved to a 2 million pound house in Wales with his wife who is a sahw

The training is very long, they have know the line they are using intimately, they are responsible for many hundreds of passengers without a co driver, drivers are only a small % of rail staff but without them nothing moves.

Out of interest, how long is the training for a train driver and is it really that difficult to drive a train?

Most serves in another role on the railways for a few years then they have to pass medical checks similar to an airline pilot. Stricter than a truck or PSV driver, then drive under supervision for a couple of years without making errors. The standard of concentration and attention to detail is very high, they are responsible for the safety of the whole train so have high level of technical knowledge as well.

Mt61

Why do train drivers get such a hefty wage? I know a train driver who has moved to a 2 million pound house in Wales with his wife who is a sahw

And?

As regards the "opt out" of unions - no one is obliged to join a Union in the first place.
Since anyone who des join can opt out, I'm in favour of this continuing, as I feel we need a balance as to who supports other major parties. It's never simple, but look at how for example how Conservative donors have been rewarded with public contracts - yes thats our money and we have no choice.

www.theguardian.com/politics/article/2024/jun/27/public-contracts-companies-tory-donors

No Flappergirl I did not, (decline to accept pay rises.) I never went on strike in the whole of my teaching career and deeply disapprove of striking to win more money. If I wanted a pay rise I went for promotion.
I worked for the union in an official capacity in return for the help they gave me in combating injustices from two Head teachers (both staunch Labour supporters) who thought they could circumvent rules to their own advantage.

Wyllow3, all parties get funding from mega donors. Usually Conservatives get more, although in the run up to the election the balance was more even.

www.theguardian.com/politics/article/2024/jun/06/who-are-the-big-conservative-and-labour-donors

But only Labour opt you in to paying through your union funds.