CWGC Gardeners in whistle blowing strike under Menin Gate shocking scenes

Discussion in 'Prewar' started by soren1941, Nov 8, 2010.

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  1. soren1941

    soren1941 Living in Ypres

    CWGC gardeners strike under the Menin Gate

    I heard this from my studio situated round the back of the English Church, it has made the national news, and if my Belgian friends are to be believed they said that they will do a sit down protest on the graves on the 11th I can not really believe it myself.

    I can't imagine the original cwgc/Iwgc gardenrs doing such a thing....

    Soren
     
    soren1941, Nov 8, 2010
    #1
  2. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    A Facebook friend who lives in 'Pop' posted this.

    Apparently the directors of the CWGC have changed the compensation days and holidays without actually consulting the workers and this is why they are at strike.
     
    Owen, Nov 8, 2010
    #2
  3. soren1941

    soren1941 Living in Ypres

    I would have thought that men that tend the graves of British soldiers who defended their country would have more respect for a memorial to their missing comrades
     
    soren1941, Nov 8, 2010
    #3
  4. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    In industrial disputes you can threaten to do stuff to make management listen without actually intending to carry it out.
    They haven't done it yet & may not do it if their management reconsiders.
     
    Owen, Nov 8, 2010
    #4
  5. soren1941

    soren1941 Living in Ypres

    Did you watch the film, flag waving and blocking the road in the hall of memory....
     
    soren1941, Nov 8, 2010
    #5
  6. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    Ah thought it was just a photo, I was referring to the sit down protest on the graves.
    Anyway, it's a public road under the gate.
    They haven't broken any laws.
    They are using their democratic right to protest.
     
    Owen, Nov 8, 2010
    #6
  7. soren1941

    soren1941 Living in Ypres

    There are ways and means tho.. my gt uncle is on there.
     
    soren1941, Nov 8, 2010
    #7
  8. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    .. my gt uncle is on there.
    He isn't , his name is.
    :poppy:

    Did they vandalise anything?
    No.
    Did they riot ?
    No.
    Did they get their concerns a higher profile ?
    Yes.


    Did the 8 o'clock Ceremony go ahead ok?
     
    Owen, Nov 8, 2010
    #8
  9. soren1941

    soren1941 Living in Ypres

    You know what I meant
     
    soren1941, Nov 8, 2010
    #9
  10. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    Send 'em down to the Arras Memorial, my Gt-Uncle's name's on there.
    I don't mind them if they protest down there or at Le Touret for that matter, another relative's name on there.
     
    Owen, Nov 8, 2010
    #10
  11. soren1941

    soren1941 Living in Ypres

    I am exceedingly happy for you
     
    soren1941, Nov 8, 2010
    #11
  12. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    I hope they win, Up The Workers!
     
    Owen, Nov 8, 2010
    #12
  13. soren1941

    soren1941 Living in Ypres

    Hey ho
     
    soren1941, Nov 9, 2010
    #13
  14. soren1941

    soren1941 Living in Ypres

    The manager of the CWGC in the local press said it was disgusting, I concur
     
    soren1941, Nov 10, 2010
    #14
  15. geoff501

    geoff501 Achtung Feind hört mit

    The manager of the CWGC in the local press said it was disgusting, I concur
    Did he explain in detail what the problem is, or are there other detailed press reports in English that we can read?

    Up the workers, by the way.
     
    geoff501, Nov 10, 2010
    #15
  16. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    Power to the People

    [YOUTUBE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fMKsR_wUSfA[/YOUTUBE]
     
    Drew5233, Nov 10, 2010
    #16
  17. Chant

    Chant Junior Member

    I think it's eloquent in that these old soldiers gave their lives so that others could enjoy exactly these kinds of freedoms. As long as no violence occurred, then I don't honestly see there's a problem. I think it's quite poetic, in fact.
     
    Chant, Nov 10, 2010
    #17
    Owen likes this.
  18. von Poop

    von Poop Adaministrator Admin

    I think it's eloquent in that these old soldiers gave their lives so that others could enjoy exactly these kinds of freedoms. As long as no violence occurred, then I don't honestly see there's a problem. I think it's quite poetic, in fact.

    I'm no fan of strikes in general, but I think you're about on the money there Chant.
    As likely that these people have relative's names on memorials as anyone else.
     
    von Poop, Nov 10, 2010
    #18
  19. Harry Ree

    Harry Ree Very Senior Member

    CWGC staff are no different to others in employment who may be employed on different contracts,some lucrative,some in a professional capacity, some at minimum wage level.When change comes or is desired, it is the management of change that is important.

    What I do sense here is the rationalisation of overheads and policies enacted to achieve the cuttings of costs.HM Government may have kept their hands out of it.They do not want adverse publicity in this highly sensitive area but without doubt, they will direct the CWGC executive to do the bidding for them.

    Meanwhile,the adverse publicity is being generated against the CWGC employees involved.
     
    Harry Ree, Nov 10, 2010
    #19
  20. soren1941

    soren1941 Living in Ypres

    I have no problem with hem striking, just thought that under the gate was a bit much. They are Flemish, not Brits, it would be more reasonable if they did it at the Belgian war memorial
     
    soren1941, Nov 11, 2010
    #20
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