Consistent Jack
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That was an interesting speech Jack Jones made in Davos last week. Not only was it interesting, but confusing — extremely so. There was Jack telling 500 European chairmen, executives and managing directors at the European Management Forum that he supported a shorter working week.
He said that suggestions that a shorter week would harm the interest of workers and management were untrue. He claimed that a 35-hour week would create substantial employment. He argued that it could be done without any dangerous pressures or costs. Why, he even told Lord Limerick that he believed the extra social cost involved in a four-day week would be offset by increased productivity.
The thing is, if it's all correct, why doesn't Jack say it to TGWU, TUC, DTp and CBI? Why does he not convince all the interested parties that drivers need an eight-hour day. without loss of pay, and that we can afford it? Such a campaign might not make him popular in Britain, but it would make him consistent.