The notion that the west also has a strong propaganda machine hasn’t escaped me but you clearly seem to have a font of knowledge regarding this. So, if you would be so kind, explain what is happening in this war and why a so called super power hasn’t been able to roll over a much smaller nation.

So Russia has more… The UK and France have “enough”. What difference does the number make?

And you think that Russia is performing well in Ukraine? Now I know you’re not serious about any of this…

I think you may have missed my sarcasm there mate. Clearly the EU (and the UK now that they’re no longer a part of the EU) are capable of protecting themselves without relying on the US. Sure, it’s a nice relationship to have, but it isn’t the be all and end all! It might come as a surprise but the EU (along with the other traditional allies of the US) aren’t damsels in distress, waiting for the US to save them.

It’s almost as if the EU is completely defenceless. How on earth could the EU expect to protect themselves without the help of the US?!

So, in other words, inconveniencing them.

I don’t see here where anyone is trying to justify Israel. They’re wrong. So are Hamas. It’s that simple.

You’re entitled to your opinion. I do wonder if it would change if it was your mum or brother or some other loved one that gets killed while minding their own business but whatever. In your mind, Hamas would be justified for it.

Are you trying to suggest that Hamas were some how justified in intentionally killing innocent civilians?

Not having an answer doesn’t mean you can’t condemn both sides in this.

It’s not always necessary to ‘go through the union’ instead of speaking with your manager. For pay, conditions and other disputes, yes, you’d want the collective bargaining of a union to get the best deal. For other things, it’s not always necessary.

I had a fall at work a couple of years ago. I fractured my ankle and was away from work until it healed and I could work again. When I returned, the problem area that lead to my fall hadn’t been looked at. I raised it with management myself and they dealt with my concerns and rectified the issue. I informed my health and safety union rep of what I was doing and he agreed to take it up if necessary. It wasn’t.

The company I work for has a long history of working with unions. They obviously have their motivations to improve efficiency and profitability but generally aren’t arseholes about it. The toxic culture I see in other companies only comes about when bosses can get away with murder because employees aren’t able to stand together.

I wasn’t bashing capitalism at all. My comment was directed at the fact that it is often (quite ridiculously) suggested that unionisation and its pursuit to protect workers rights and improve pay and conditions lead to the downfall of businesses. It’s an obvious weapon to try and disuade employees from joining a union by leading them to believe that they might lose their job completely when the union forces them out of business.

It’s pretty obvious that capitalism has its flaws but there is plenty of evidence to suggest that the alternatives usually don’t fair well. I don’t disagree with the ideology but I do believe that I am entitled to my fair share, after all, my bills are rising like everyone else’s. Why should my colleagues and I lose out so that a few at the top can fatten their pockets? They don’t pay me anymore than they need to - they compensate my colleagues and I sufficiently to make us do the job. If they pay less, I’ll look elsewhere and they know this by agreeing to the demands of my union.

Over the last 11 years since I moved into my current role, my salary has risen by approximately £35k. In addition to this my conditions have improved and I work fewer hours. My yearly negotiated increase has always outstripped inflation and I have only lost one day’s pay due to strike action to achieve these rises.

The company I work for continues to post profits in the billions of £s, despite paying their workers fairly.

I’d say my monthly union dues of <£20 have served me pretty well.

Anyone advocating against a union either stands to lose out by unionisation (ie those at the top that would rather keep their bonuses/salaries as high as possible) or have completely bought in to the capitalist nonsense that is often thrown around about unions.