As long as an employer can sack someone for taking time out sick, but not allow the same employee to retire on health grounds because they aren't sick enough, then yes, we will need Unions.

As long as there is a minimum wage that is below the standard cost of living we will need big people to fight for the little ones.

As long as there are employers scurroulous enough to screw every last ounce out of an employee, in conditions you wouldn't keep a rat in, for pay that wouldn't keep a bug alive.

As long as there are people who are afraid NOT to go to work because their money is docked or their home lives threatened.

And Flexi time isn't a perk, it's a sensible way of ensuring that the full open hours are utilised because there will always be people who need to come in early and leave early or others who are later. I voluntarily work longer hours (6 day week already this week) so that I can spend better time with my family/take time for appointments in working hours, without lessening the service I give to my employer, and thus, my employer gives to their customer.

Go and ask the Liverpool Dock workers if we need a Union. Go and ask my friend Pam who was sacked as per the first para. and reinstated because the Union intervened.

LTS - the fact that I was born and brought up in the same community as the Tolpuddle men (5 miles down the road) is nothing to do with this, no, not at all, it doesn't colour my judgement one little bit!!!