Leave it to professionals
Page 28
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I REFER to your Editorial of January 24, 1981. Whatever your personal opinions I do not think it helps industrial relations for you to use incorrect and inflammatory langauge to illustrate your point. That is an abuse of journalistic licence.
I have no idea who these power-seeking trades-union officials are that you refer to. Trades union officials are essentially the servants of the membership and try to reflect the wishes and aspirations of those that they represent.
They seek to find solutions to the variety of industrial problems that confront them in their day-to-day lives and, like all peacemakers, become the buffer and scapegoat for those looking for someone to blame when
issues reach a flashpoint.
If you really believe that ti whole complex system of industrial relations can be de with effectively by amateurs, then that clearly demonstratE the kind of mental gymnast( that typifies the media who se; to drape the trades union offici with the mantle of the three wi: monkeys while at the same tirr urging him to control his understandably irate member There is no point in asking t1 professionals to speak with or voice for the transport indust and then advocate surrender them to the proven chaotic world of the non-professiona dabbler.
Please do not confuse luxu with necessity.
L. J. SMITH Executive Officer Transport and General Worker Union London, SW1