Andyismyname:
The length of the strike has been well publicised.
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It is initially for just three days, thus no worse than severe weather or perhaps the grounding of an aircraft type for a short while.
What has happened IMHO is a case of 'What you use to protect you, can be used against you' in that the company have sought to use the press to put over their case, notably the more sensational press, this has backfired in making it seem far worse than it actually is.
The great pity of all this is what will happen to internal company relationships beyond this period, the acrimony and ill feeling will take a very long time to subside.
I see friends, close friends who have worked for the company for a very long time seriously upset, very seriously upset about it all.
To do this to loyal employees is a terrible thing, and both the company and the union involved should be thoroughly ashamed of themselves.