Amazing when you consider that Unite had £178 million in assets at the end of 2008 and has had an incredible amount of time to fund this action.
Individuals pay dues just so that they have these resources ready to go during these times.
From The Independent:
Joint leader Tony Woodley said the move was "unprecedented" and would raise £700,000, which will go on strike pay and other ways of supporting union members involved in the dispute.
If I was a Unite member I'd be really interested in not only exactly why these funds are required, but how they are going to be spent. I simply find it unfair that they are taking money from workers due to their poor planning.