Vince Cable warns trade unions against their threat of impending strike
Elizabeth Bonner
06 June 2011
Business secretary Vince Cable informs the GMB that the government doesn’t want to tighten union laws, but an increase in strike levels will force them to do so.
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Business secretary Vince Cable warns the 500 union members present at the GMB conference that he will be forced to impose stricter union laws if their strike threats are put into action in the coming month.
Although strike levels have remained at a historical low for several decades, union leaders warn that a strike with 750,000 public sector participants could be coming on 30 June.
Due to the low strike levels, Cable says there is no pressing need for stricter laws. He warns that an increase in these levels could force his hand in tightening union legislation.
GMB general secretary Paul Kenny told BBC he was unhappy with Cable’s address at the conference because he used the platform to “attack” the unions.
“I don't think that any strike in this country could inflict the sort of economic damage on our country that the banks and finance houses and frankly current government policy have done,” Kenny said.
Cable assured the unions that he doesn’t want to take legal actions any more than the unions want him to.
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Business secretary Vince Cable warns the 500 union members present at the GMB conference that he will be forced to impose stricter union laws if their strike threats are put into action in the coming month.
Although strike levels have remained at a historical low for several decades, union leaders warn that a strike with 750,000 public sector participants could be coming on 30 June.
Due to the low strike levels, Cable says there is no pressing need for stricter laws. He warns that an increase in these levels could force his hand in tightening union legislation.
GMB general secretary Paul Kenny told BBC he was unhappy with Cable’s address at the conference because he used the platform to “attack” the unions.
“I don't think that any strike in this country could inflict the sort of economic damage on our country that the banks and finance houses and frankly current government policy have done,” Kenny said.
Cable assured the unions that he doesn’t want to take legal actions any more than the unions want him to.
“We are undoubtedly entering a difficult period”, Cable said. “Cool heads will be required all round. Despite occasional blips, I know that strike levels remain historically low, especially in the private sector. On that basis, and assuming this pattern continues, the case for changing strike law is not compelling. However, should the position change, and should strikes impose serious damage to our economic and social fabric, the pressure on us to act would ratchet up. That is something which both you, and certainly I, would wish to avoid.”
Given the massive TUC demonstration in March, Cable realizes that widespread strikes are a legitimate threat. He hopes that the unions and government can reach an understanding before it gets to that point.
“Despite our differences, we have much in common,” Cable said. “We share many policy aims. We face the same economic challenges. Let's address them together. I believe this is what ordinary union members would want their unions to do.”
Cable is already under pressure by proponents of tighter union laws Mayor of London Boris Johnson and employers' organization the CBI.
The CBI is hoping for new legislation that would require the consent of 40% of union members before a strike could officially begin.
Johnson’s ideal goes further as he pushes for a 50% minimum of workers joining in the ballot before a strike could go in to place.
If the union’s threats are put into action, three quarters of a million teachers, lecturers and other workers could begin the biggest strike London has seen in decades on 30 June.
Norman Smith, chief political correspondent for BBC, believes the government won’t try to toughen laws without public support for new legislation.
If the strike that the union is warning takes place, public discontent could push them to that point.
Given the massive TUC demonstration in March, Cable realizes that widespread strikes are a legitimate threat. He hopes that the unions and government can reach an understanding before it gets to that point.
“Despite our differences, we have much in common,” Cable said. “We share many policy aims. We face the same economic challenges. Let's address them together. I believe this is what ordinary union members would want their unions to do.”
Cable is already under pressure by proponents of tighter union laws Mayor of London Boris Johnson and employers' organization the CBI.
The CBI is hoping for new legislation that would require the consent of 40% of union members before a strike could officially begin.
Johnson’s ideal goes further as he pushes for a 50% minimum of workers joining in the ballot before a strike could go in to place.
If the union’s threats are put into action, three quarters of a million teachers, lecturers and other workers could begin the biggest strike London has seen in decades on 30 June.
Norman Smith, chief political correspondent for BBC, believes the government won’t try to toughen laws without public support for new legislation.
If the strike that the union is warning takes place, public discontent could push them to that point.
A Sunday morning at Spitalfields Market
Elizabeth Bonner
23 May 2011
It may sound like a relaxing way to complete your weekend, leisurely wandering through a market in a nice part of town; however, at Spitalfields Market, you will find yourself thrust into the chaos of the busiest day of one of London’s busiest markets.
Spitalfields Market began in 1638 when King Charles I allowed a license for flesh, fowl and roots to be sold in the Spitalfields area when it was known as Spittle Fields. During the Commonwealth period the market disappeared, but it reemerged in 1682 when King Charles II deemed it a necessary means of feeding the growing population in the area.
The market continued to grow, and in 1887, buildings were built near the market for the City of London Corporation’s wholesale market. These are still the buildings that surround the market today.
In 1991, the original market and the wholesale market split. The wholesale market moved to Leyton, northeast London, and became known as the New Spitalfields Market. Selling mostly fruits and vegetables, it has become a leading horticultural market in Europe.
Disputes between the various market owners, the City of London Corporation and the residents of Spitalfields, caused the market to split once more. About one third of the market remained the same.
“They call this bit Old Spitalfields,” said Jenny Rose, the Jenny Rose Art vender in the Old Spitalfields Market.
Rose has been selling her collages, etchings, photographic art, and screen-prints there for 15 years.
The other two thirds of the original Spitalfields market were brought under new management. They built more shops and restaurants and left a more limited amount of space for a smaller market. This market was started about four years ago. It is referred to as Spitalfields Market, Crispin Street, and Traders Market.
Spitalfields Market began in 1638 when King Charles I allowed a license for flesh, fowl and roots to be sold in the Spitalfields area when it was known as Spittle Fields. During the Commonwealth period the market disappeared, but it reemerged in 1682 when King Charles II deemed it a necessary means of feeding the growing population in the area.
The market continued to grow, and in 1887, buildings were built near the market for the City of London Corporation’s wholesale market. These are still the buildings that surround the market today.
In 1991, the original market and the wholesale market split. The wholesale market moved to Leyton, northeast London, and became known as the New Spitalfields Market. Selling mostly fruits and vegetables, it has become a leading horticultural market in Europe.
Disputes between the various market owners, the City of London Corporation and the residents of Spitalfields, caused the market to split once more. About one third of the market remained the same.
“They call this bit Old Spitalfields,” said Jenny Rose, the Jenny Rose Art vender in the Old Spitalfields Market.
Rose has been selling her collages, etchings, photographic art, and screen-prints there for 15 years.
The other two thirds of the original Spitalfields market were brought under new management. They built more shops and restaurants and left a more limited amount of space for a smaller market. This market was started about four years ago. It is referred to as Spitalfields Market, Crispin Street, and Traders Market.
“It all was one market at one time, and then the developers had permission to knock that bit down, so they sold that off,” Rose said. “So it’s run completely separately.”
The Traders Market was originally meant to be a food market.
“The market started as a food thing,” said Yael, the Flourpowercity Bakery vender in the Traders Market. “They had an idea to actually create a food market about four years ago. So me and Craig [gourmet Jamaican food vender] are the last two survivors of the food market idea. So it was really much bigger, like we had about 30 or 40 [food stalls].”
Yael said complaints from the surrounding restaurants forced the management to bring in different types of venders.The Traders Market had a lot of catching up to do, as the Old Spitalfields Market won the “Best Fashion Market” category in 2008 in Time Out’s Shopping Awards.
Once a variety of venders selling music, jewelry, books, interiors, clothing, antiques, and accessories entered the market, it became nearly indistinguishable from the Old Spitalfields Market.
Karing Monie, the Monie Bags vender, began selling in the Traders Market about one and a half years ago. After getting a degree in product design, she began selling handmade leather accessories at the market.
“I think it’s one of the best markets in London,” Monie said. “They really try and focus on handmade products, so you get things that you’re not going to find on the high street here. It’s a pretty nice atmosphere; I enjoy it.”
Gillian Glover, the Arpeggio vender, brought jewelry with personal flair to the Traders Market.
“I started making jewelry about six years ago, and then I started using guitar strings about four years ago,” said Glover. “I’m a musician as well. So just changing my guitar strings one day, I thought I’d have an experiment”
Glover said the Spitalfields Market is the only place she sells now.
“It’s quite a fun job, you speak to lots of different people and the other traders on the market often; they’re great,” said Glover. “But it’s definitely hard work. If you make everything yourself like I do, that means there’s a lot of time behind the scenes as well.”
Arnica, a London local and frequent shopper, thinks the unique designs of the venders are what keep shoppers coming back.
“My favorite things in the market are the handmade things,” said Arnica. “Every time I come here, I see something that I like and makes me want to come back again.”
The Traders Market was originally meant to be a food market.
“The market started as a food thing,” said Yael, the Flourpowercity Bakery vender in the Traders Market. “They had an idea to actually create a food market about four years ago. So me and Craig [gourmet Jamaican food vender] are the last two survivors of the food market idea. So it was really much bigger, like we had about 30 or 40 [food stalls].”
Yael said complaints from the surrounding restaurants forced the management to bring in different types of venders.The Traders Market had a lot of catching up to do, as the Old Spitalfields Market won the “Best Fashion Market” category in 2008 in Time Out’s Shopping Awards.
Once a variety of venders selling music, jewelry, books, interiors, clothing, antiques, and accessories entered the market, it became nearly indistinguishable from the Old Spitalfields Market.
Karing Monie, the Monie Bags vender, began selling in the Traders Market about one and a half years ago. After getting a degree in product design, she began selling handmade leather accessories at the market.
“I think it’s one of the best markets in London,” Monie said. “They really try and focus on handmade products, so you get things that you’re not going to find on the high street here. It’s a pretty nice atmosphere; I enjoy it.”
Gillian Glover, the Arpeggio vender, brought jewelry with personal flair to the Traders Market.
“I started making jewelry about six years ago, and then I started using guitar strings about four years ago,” said Glover. “I’m a musician as well. So just changing my guitar strings one day, I thought I’d have an experiment”
Glover said the Spitalfields Market is the only place she sells now.
“It’s quite a fun job, you speak to lots of different people and the other traders on the market often; they’re great,” said Glover. “But it’s definitely hard work. If you make everything yourself like I do, that means there’s a lot of time behind the scenes as well.”
Arnica, a London local and frequent shopper, thinks the unique designs of the venders are what keep shoppers coming back.
“My favorite things in the market are the handmade things,” said Arnica. “Every time I come here, I see something that I like and makes me want to come back again.”
