In the old days when the trade unions had more influence I doubt if Western National drivers would have been willing to go out to steal Plymouth's work whist the crews were out on strike. But in the true spirit of Deregulation and cut-throat competition Western National went out on the cold wet winter streets made hay whilst the sun shines. I expect buses were drafted in from far and wide as this former London DMS carried stickers for Cornish Busways.
You're probably right in your supposition that in the 'old days', when trade union influence was strong, Western National crews would not have broken City of Plymouth Transport's picket line.
ReplyDeleteDuring the protracted 1958 London Transport bus strike Eastern National crews showed solidarity with striking LT staff by curtailing services from Essex into east London to terminate at the LT boundary.
Yes Philip it is easy to think of the trade union shop stewards of old as bully-boys but it's sad to think these days even if you have solid grounds for a dispute few will come to help even if they wanted to fearing the sack. In the old days it got silly and the Unions almost brought the country to it's knees but today it's gone too much the other way which is a pity as there are far more rules and regulations for employees but lots of loop-holes to buck the system for unfair employers.
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