Why people strike
Sir: As a local government officer, I was particularly interested to see Christopher Booker's article in your issue of 27 January on why people strike, as !believe that he has identified theunderlying cause of the present malaise in the public service.
By coincidence, speaking in Reading on 23 January of the current industrial crisis I said, 'Pay was the declared reason for yesterday's action. The cause of disaffection, however, goes deeper than that and is not limited to manual workers. We have witnessed strikes in recent months by groups who in the past would not have contemplated such action.
'I am sure that this springs not merely from dissatisfaction with pay but from a feeling that the public whom they serve have little appreciation of the problems they face and little concern for those who provide the services which are taken for granted. There used to be pride in devoting one's working life to the service of the public. There was a reciprocal respect by the public for the local government officer. The job satisfaction which this engendered was one of local goverment's greatest assets and paid dividends in the dedication of the work force and the quality of the service. This has steadily been eroded by a constant tide of criticism till we are in danger of dissipating the good will on both sides altogether.'
Pay rises may provide short-term palliatives. but will do nothing to cure the underlying sickness.
A heavy responsibility lies on those in the media who have the opportunity to influence public opinion so as to restore the confidence which is essential to the health of the public service in this country. I welcome Mr Booker's article as a valuable contribution to this end. I hope others will follow the lead he has given.
R. W. Gash Chief Executive, Shire Hall, Reading
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