George H. Whether I agree with you or not matters little. I will not however begin an argument with a personal attack no matter how badly provoked.

At no point in my message did I give the impression I was for or against unions. My words were a mere warning that it is too much power, and not one side or another, that causes problems. At the end of my message I state quite clearly that I do not know whether the greed of the unions or the greed of the employers was worse. I have now come to the conclusion that it is neither.

It is the attitude that some people take, and I assure you that I do not include you here because I do not even know you, thet they are right and whatever anyone else says is to be dismissed out of hand.

For the record I was a socialist and union member. I worked for the local council (Salford) between 1970 and 1975. When the shop steward told us we could not go and fix the heating in the old folks home because we were in dispute with the council over a 2 pound pay rise I agreed. When they told us that all employers were out to screw the workers I belived them. When I saw the union convenor driving away in his brand new 2.5 litre Rover I knew that had to be good.

It was only when I finaly grew up I realised that there were two sides to any argument.

I am still commited to workers rights and equality for all, but it is now tempered with the wisdom to see that there is a right and a wrong way to do things. At least I hope I can.

Off to the White Lion now to join the Manchester Mudcat gathering so I will not be around (mentaly anyway!) for a while. I hope you believe me when I say I respect your viewpoint, George. And I hope that you will do the same for me.

Cheers, fellow workers, one and all

Dave the Gnome