"Dave Plowman (News)" wrote in message
...
In article ,
Tim Lamb wrote:

I think the *show of hands* at a mass meeting was always open to
intimidation and that the Thatcher changes were in the right direction.

Every time I read this I ask the individual if they would personally be
intimidated into raising their hand if they didn't want to.

I'd also ask why they only ever think a decision to take industrial action
would be influenced in this way, rather than not to take action.

I was very much involved with my union when the Thatcher reforms were
brought in - postal and secret ballots etc.

They made not a scrap of difference to the expected outcome.

I personally have never been involved in any form of industrial action
which didn't start at grass roots level. If my union 'head office' had
attempted to start industrial action for some form of political or
whatever reason they'd have been sacked by the members.

Clearly wasn’t the case with Scargill so your
personal experience is completely irrelevant.

But that didn't stop some of the press saying
some of that industrial action was political.

It clearly was with Scargill.