i am a petrol tanker driver, we have only been asked if we would take industrial action short of striking and if we would take industrial action including going on strike. The majority said yes on both counts. There's no plans to strike at mo + you will get 7 days notice anyway. Maude is a plum but i have lots and LOTS of overtime
Yet again I am amazed by the sheer stupidity that human beings display when they group together. There seems to be some critical mass after which intelligent, rational people turn into a mob. The pandomonium caused by arseholes just stopping on the roads with their hazards on, waiting to get into the petrol stations even in a small city like Exeter is ridiculous. How many of them do you think had more than half a tank already but were afraid of "when they might see any petrol again". I'm glad for your sake Benn that I'm not a copper, as at times like this I would reduce your reputations to zero within hours. Unless you're actually allowed to shoot people in the face through the passenger windows now?
Aside from the oil companies, the real winner here is the treasury. With sales at the pump up 81%, fuel duty at record levels + 20% VAT on all in store purchases, that's a nice little pre-Easter tax windfall. The sheep mentality of Joe public never ceases to amaze me. Anyone remember the blockade of 2001? Wasn't it Nietsche that said "Insanity in individuals is something rare - but in groups, parties, nations, and epochs it is the rule". That definitely applies here
Yep Vino, my inner cynic wondered about the twatish statements of the ruling body were a goad too. Matt. I thought I'd told you to bugger off?
Bit of a win win for the government really. telling the public to fill up provides extra sales thus extra coffers for the treasury and of course the fuel companies and their shareholders, who also might be politicians. It also send a message to the Unions that the government is prepared for a long fight. Of course, good old joe public has responded in the anticipated manner thus rendering everyone happy, well apart from those of us who have some sense, but probably not much petrol. When I was a Firefighter I hated taking strike action in 1977, but those of us with families were on income support because pay was so poor, especially considering it was shift work and included weekends with no enhanced pay. I did break fronm the picket line once to try to rescue an old lady, but I would have never given up my right to strike, which was another thing they wanted. IMO, if people have their right to not work because of pay or conditions then we become as bad as any dictatorship, sorry, forget then that we live in a free society hahahahah
I agree completely with you Nige. What really sends my blood pressure up is the blatant manipulation of public emotion and dumbass gullibility by the spawn of evil spin doctors working the bland, clone like creatures who pass for politicians currently. Followed closely by peoples zombie like response to the obviously mis informed rhetoric that they spew. Despite the poor woman who burned herself so severely the other day being a classic candidate for a Darwin award, who can deny that, in her ignorance, she was following instructions, broadcast by a cabinet official. And wouldn't it have been nice if a few news producers had refused to broadcast it, just because it was such a dangerous piece of knowledge to actually dessimate to the great, Sun reading public of Great Britain.
Good news,i made it to Matlock Bath yesterday i had no problem filling up.Which was great because i didn't fancy pushing my bike home.It was a bit chilly in the morning but after that the sun came out and its was beautiful.Very enjoyable day.
Just banged 53 quids worth into containers and topped the bike up ,if and when these knobs try again i will be out on the bike and with a bit of luck the traffic will be lite (Thats the master plan anyway)
