Everybody out!!!

[dolphinops]

Having just spent a few hours reading about JPA,Airbridge,etc.etc.
I get the feeling you ain't happy bunnies.

Let's down tools Brothers!!
Would we be "Flying Pickets"?? :E

There'd be no problem on the gate would there?

[Talking Radalt]

I get the feeling you ain't happy bunnies.
This suggests you are a third party on the outside, looking in.

Would we be "Flying Pickets"?? :E

This suggests you are on the inside, looking out.
Either way, your crazy strike idea was tried once before at the end of WWII. Nearly got the instigator shot for treason, and it certianly got him some time inside.

[Bertie Thruster]

Talking Radalt; your post suggests to me that you think all strikes are crazy. May I suggest that it is perhaps dolphinops idea that is crazy. Strikes (outside of the military) have often proven to be useful tools.
Regards, BT

[dolphinops]

Jeez, you guys are all so serious.
I'm still in. 25 years +. Just as professional. Just as keen.
Watching my world disintegrate. "Can do" and all that.
I know we can't strike.
But.......would you? Or would you have at a previous point of your careers?
Discuss...:E

[The Gorilla]

Talking

I assume you are referring to the post WW2 far east mutiny?
TG

[dolphinops]

Knowing a little history I am aware of that situation.
Obviously a different situation.
But if people are pushed too far....
Like I said, I have been reading the JPA page.
Why should people work if they are not paid?

[Talking Radalt]

Talking Radalt; your post suggests to me that you think all strikes are crazy. May I suggest that it is perhaps dolphinops idea that is crazy. Strikes (outside of the military) have often proven to be useful tools.
Regards, BT

Good point matey, guess I should've said "Your crazy idea about a strike"
and yeah I did mean the Far East thing.

[Tombstone]

Well, lets look at the possibility for a while as we all know that this site is 'monitored' by those in charge.

The Fire Service have had several strikes in the last decade and have walked away quite happy with the result. The Armed Forces bore the brunt with the most recent strike running over Op Telic. The chaps placed on Op Fiasco had no choice in the matter & were forced into a job well outside their comfort zones, by a long way.

We have no say in our welfare whatsoever, put up and shut up is the only option we have as Service personnel.

Personally, I believe that it would be completely immoral of the armed forces to strike HOWEVER, the manner in which we are often treated must change in order to avoid mass dissaffection in the next 5 years or so.

Some of the die hard folk reading this will simply respond with, "If you don't like it, leave." That attitude is a major part of why we are in the predicament we are in. People who work outside in professional bodies are far more able to protect their rights & quite frankly, I am often appalled at how we are treated.

Rant off

[Wader2]

Talking

I assume you are referring to the post WW2 far east mutiny?
TG

A friend of mine was there. As far as I know there was no real threat of being shot.

The initial grievance was the early demob of European theatre personnel and the perception that all the good jobs would be snapped up. The powers that be decided that those in South East Asia who had joined during the war, ie when old enough to join, could remain in theatre for an extra couple of years. This was not actually unreasonbable as there remained a considerable amount of action, especially in the Dutch East Indies.

Then, to pour petrol on troubled waters, a junior officer decided it was time to re-impose pre-war discipline and practice. To do this he instituted a daily parade before start work - work would start at the traditional time but the parade would be earlier. This was of course a popular order.

The next day, at parade time, no men. At work time they all reported to work as normal. This went on for a few days until as senior officer from AHQ was desptached to find out what was going on. It was decided that there was no mutiny as the men reported for work as normal.

As it was impossible to resolve the situation by acceding to the mens request and cancelling the adjutant's order a different face-saving solution was found.

There was an urgent need for a staff officer at AHQ and the most suitable, and only available officer, was the adjutant.

From the OFT thread, this is almost the attitude that needs to be addressed today. They need to introduce a fit to work, fit to fight ethos and no b*llsh1t.

[Mead Pusher]

Surely a safer option would be to all take a day's leave and to turn up somewhere (outside CAS's office?) waving placards in a peaceful protest type thing. That would certainly get the attention of their airships, especially when it was in all the papers the next day because nothing like it had been done before by the Services.

It would need a lot of support to work, though, otherwise individuals would be identified etc.

Just musing - not volunteering! But I think it's the only way a proper protest by the 'masses' could work within the Services.

[LXXIV]

There is a book "Mutiny in the RAF, The Air Force Strikes of 1946" by David Duncan ISBN 0 9523810 6 0, published by The Socialist History Society at £4.95. Seemingly well researched, gives a good deal of information regarding these strikes, understandably from a left wing standpoint, but good information nonetheless. This book backs up a lot of tales I heard at first hand from people who were there and took part.

[South Bound]

I am sure that they would play the 'bringing the RAF into disrepute' card, much the same as they have with certain posters on here when they have stepped over a line...

[On_The_Top_Bunk]

Discussed in the commons.

http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200506/cmselect/cmarmed/828/6021603.htm

It all starts from Q404 Jim Sheridan: I am just following on from the pragmatic and progressive questioning from Mr Jones. Do you think that there is a role for the Armed Forces Federation and, if so, what would that really be and, if not, why not?

[dolphinops]

Sensible answers all to my theoretical "idea". Thankyou.

Tombstone, I agree with your sentiments in total.
I think we would do something if we were able.
I personally believe enough people are hacked off in many ways, but are unable to voice them well enough to be noticed, without being intimidated.

[Wrathmonk]

You could always try posting on PPruNe under your real name :p - after all the hot rumour is that many of the "Lords and Masters" get their PSO / MA to have a regular look at the site to get a feel for whats going on at the grass roots level :E

Not that it seems to do much good mind!;)

[dolphinops]

I like Top Bunk's link.
Interesting stuff.

My real name? Blair, Tony Blair.

[GengisKhant]

Although not a strike...., I recall what amounted to be a mutiny/riot at RAF Khormaksar (Aden) around mid 1966..., problem was that although temp was +40C daily water was being rationed - only available for an hour in the morning and an hour in late evening. Trouble started when it was discovered that the swimming pool in the officers mess was being re-filled after maintenance, and that water would only be available once per day during the pool re-fill.

A group of off-duty RAF ORs decided that this was unacceptable, and decided to take matters into their own hands. A considerable amount of furniture and bedding was thrown from barrack blocks and set alight. RAF Police and Regt Fire Service turned out, backed by RAF airmen who were on internal guard duty at the time. Other troops (I believe Northumberland Fusiliers) were called in and held in reserve. RAF police and fire service were held at arms length by missiles being thrown by those remaining in the block. The fire was eventually put out after an hour or so, and a form of normality returned.... but attempt to round up the perpretators hampered by a mass exodus from the block, and individuals scattering in all directions.

I was transitting at the time, and did not hear what happened to the miscreants...., but understand that water was reconnected very shortly after the incident.

Can anyone advise as to what eventually happened?