Unite union says more strikes 'inevitable'

[Dennis the 'Bloody Peasant']

How effective are strikes, politically? I can't think of any specific strikes in the last 20 years that have had any direct political impact or even many that have resolved disputes. Does anyone have any recent examples of ones that have been effective?
Also, why do these morons continue to support Labour? Why don't they throw some of that money and membership in a genuinely leftist direction?


More strikes and industrial action are "inevitable", according to the leader of Britain's biggest union Unite.
"I think it's inevitable that there will be further campaigns, further strikes," he said, adding that it may roll on "for the next few years".
Len McCluskey also warned Labour to be ready for an early election.
And he told the BBC that he did not regret his controversial comments about the Olympics being a legitimate arena for protest.
Mr McCluskey was speaking ahead of his union's biennial conference this week in Brighton. He will address the conference on Monday for the first time as general secretary.
Unite has been at the centre of a series of high profile disputes this year involving tanker drivers and London bus workers. Its members have also taken part in the strikes and demonstrations on the issue of public sector pension reform.

(More at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-18573192)

[Robocommie]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Republic_Windows_and_Doors


Beginning on the day of the closure, 200 of the 240 workers of the Goose Island factory began an organized sitdown strike to protest alleged violation of federal labor law by Republic in that the company did not give the workers 60 days notice prior to the announcement of closure (this, however, was allegedly based upon the lack of lending from Bank of America).

The sit-in lasted until the workers reached a settlement with the factory over severance, vacation time, and temporary health care benefits; the settlement, which was reached on December 11 and amounted over $1.75 million, was negotiated by the United Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers of America (of whose Local 1110 branch the workers were members), Republic owners and Bank of America over three days.

On December 10, Bank of America and JPMorgan Chase agreed to create a $1.75 million fund to pay the workers their back pay and benefits and to provide two months of health insurance coverage.
On February 23, 2012, about 65 workers initiated a second sit-in strike of Serious Materials (formerly Republic Windows and Doors). The occupation was in response to factory-owners, Serious Energy's announcement that it would be closing the factory and consolidating operations in Colorado and Pennsylvania. Worker's ended the occupation at approximately 2 AM on February 24, 2012, after owners agreed to keep the factory open for 90 days. United Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers of America Local 1110 president, Armando Robles, has said that he wants workers to own and operate the plant themselves.

[Dennis the 'Bloody Peasant']

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Republic_Windows_and_Doors

Ah, I think I remember that one, did it feature on Capitalism: A Love Story? Found that one quite insperational and interesting.