Just a thought.............
Let's just say the ballot of Union Members (approximately 70% of the workforce - 30% don't care either way) results in 60% NO and 40% YES. Unite have already stated that they will not negotiate further and will immediately ballot for strike action.
Assuming that the 40% of YES voters are against strike and 11% or more of the NO voters are against strike then all credibility is lost, the current offer is withdrawn and you're back to square one.
A weak NO vote at this point would be counter-productive to both this and all future negotiations. The resulting handful of no-shows rostered on the days of proposed strike action would, I have no doubt, be dismissed for Breach of Contract and union membership numbers would diminish considerably, leaving everyone "over a barrel".
Last edited by Shanwick Shanwick; 9th Oct 2007 at 14:48.