That's quite interesting what you say - when I was at school we were told - look at the British they know how to govern a country!

Mac that's really interesting. We still have trade unions you call them I suppose and our workers strike, if they aren't satisfied with their salaries. Our railway engine drivers striked last year and as they haven't yet found a compromise we expect that they will be striking again in January.
You see, I'm a bit astonished about your country.

Sometimes strikes are also averted by negotiations here, but sometimes - like with our railway engine drivers - the differences between the ideas of the two parties are too big.

William, Let's have a strike ??  Old Age Pensioner's that is ??-- Yes!! You are right. just who would support us?? = Nobody!! -- I cannot understand just why there is strikes!! Cannopt the two Parties, sit down and 'Discuss' the requirements, before a possible withdrawal of labour??
 I know only too well --- Greed by the Companies!! Fair Play, no longer excists!! Let our Police strike!! Then 'they' can put the illegals, in uniform?? -- Just like 'they' have done with their Security Staff ?? -- What A Laugh?? Gotta see the Funny side -- or one would have a Heart Attack ?? -- Still many Coach loads a'coming in!!!!

CHUCKLE! CHUCKLE!  DON'T FORGET 'THEY' ARE BEING PAID FOR THEIR CHILDREN ---- BACK HOME TOO??  BY THIS GOVERNMENT??
DAMAGING OUR ECONOMY?? HAVE WE GOT ONE ?? -- IF SO?? IT SURE IS IN A BIG MESS!! ---- IT JUST HAS TO BE -- 'ROCKET SCIENCE' AS WE SURE DO NOT UNDERSTAND THEIR MEMTALITY, OF GIVING AWAY SO MUCH OF 'OUR' MONEY?

Wish 'they' would send a little OUR Way??
Just cannot wait for OUR Rise in April??
Think we shall be 'down' at least £5.

Although being a foreigner, I think I just should join your discussion.
Phoenix civil servant, i.e.the police, are not allowed to strike - I worked in the administration and I had to sign a declaration stating that I would respect the rules applicable to civil serants.
The Poles, for instance, earn much less money than a German or a British and if there's still money left to send home, they must use up very little money, i.e. they live generally very modest. The only thing I don't like about them is that they partly take away jobs and if you travel in their country, you must be very careful, because they often don't respect the property of others. A friend of mine went to Poland some years ago with a new Mercedes. They parked it and visited a church and when they came back, the Mercedes had gone ......

Maybe us 'Senior Citizens' should all give a 'slow' hand clap??

Teri, You are a European!! - Correct about the Police strike. By law, they are not allowed too?? - In saying that, there are soo many law breaker's here. Just Cannot put everybody in Jail??

Everybody!!  really is WELCOME in this country!! Why do they travel so many thousands of miles, by any means possible, to get here??