Browse Sections
Interactive
Popular Sections
Partly cloudyBarlow's brief
| 
Submit Comments
Members of the East Cheshire division who joined the NUT rally in Manchester last Thursday as part of a nationwide protest over pay
advertisement
MPs are in need of leadership lessons
Vic Barlow7/ 5/2008
AS A KID, I often sat in our parlour listening to trade union meetings.
My father was a union representative for more than 30 years and his proudest boast was obtaining a good deal for his members without ever holding a strike.
Top management had a lot of respect for my father. He used their terms and conditions as a platform for his negotiations.
If management gave themselves an extra day’s holiday they knew what would be on my dad’s agenda.
His favourite phrase was: "What’s good for the goose is good for the gander."
So normally I wouldn’t agree with the current teachers’ strike, but when I look at the example coming down from the top, it was inevitable.
If politicians can protect their own pensions, boost their non-taxable income, inflate their expenses and claim for mortgage payments on homes they ultimately own, then what do they expect from public sector workers?
MPs can’t insist employees make sacrifices while they fill their pockets.
That’s not how good leadership works.
It’s bad for moral and is often the reason companies eventually flounder.
Politicians need to set the example if they want teachers to tighten their belts.
(Here’s a good trivia question for you: name one current British politician who leads by example?)
The views on this page are Vic Barlow's and not necessarily those of the Express
Most recent 2 of 2 user comments
7/05/2008 at 13:08
Got an opinion you want to share?Should GPs have to undergo an annual test of competence?
| Card | BT Fee |
| Capital One BT Platinum Card | 3.0% |
| Virgin Credit Card | 2.98% |
| Barclaycard Platinum 'As on TV' | 2.9% |
| Capital One Platinum | 3.0% |
| Barclaycard OnePulse For London | 2.9% |
| Company | Typical APR |
| FirstPlus Exclusive Rate | 6.6% |
| Moneyback Bank | 7.6% |
| Alliance & Leicester | 7.7% |
| Halifax (Semi-exclusive) | 7.7% |
| Bank of Scotland (Semi-exclusive) | 7.7% |
| Barclaycard Personal Loan | 7.8% |
| Barclays | 8.9% |
| Provider | AER* |
|
CAHOOT 12 Month Fixed Rate Bond (Issue 1) |
7.01% |
|
ICICI BANK HiSAVE Term Deposit |
7.00% |
|
ICESAVE 6 Month Fixed Rate Savings Account |
6.86% |
|
ICICI BANK HiSAVE Term Deposit |
6.70% |
8/05/2008 at 04:06