This would be hilarious - If it wasn't true....

It does say in My Blog Title - Ramblings.... So, this post has nothing to do with running, but I felt the need to write it anyway. normal service will be resumed soon.

As most of you know, I relocated to Argentina as part of my sabatical from work, and have been living here for nearly 18 months now. The place is different to Ireland, obviously, but also there are differences that begger belief.

Many that have known me for, (too) many years, will be aware that I used to work for a Trade Union, back when I lived in England, and I have always been pro-union, and believe that Unions serve an essential roll in protecting their members from the worst employers. However, I have always been a progressive trade unionist, and I understand the need of the employer to create the jobs in the first place, and there is little place in a modern society for Unions to exert a political control on the economy. In general, that's how Unions work today in the UK, Ireland, and (Wisconsin aside), the US, with Partnership being the key phrase.

Well, here in Argentina, the unions live in another world - I like to think of it as Cloud Cuckoo Land... next Monday, there is to be a National Strike of the Transport Union here, bringing all modes of transportation to a halt - Trucks, Deliveries, Trains, Buses, even Taxi's, if it moves - it won't on Monday.

Why you might ask? Are the truck drivers under paid? Has their been a major employer conflict between Capitalism and The Workers? NO !!!!

No - The strile has been called because the Leader of the CGT (read TUC or AFLCIO), a guy called Hugo Moyano, is being investigated by the Swiss (yes, that's Swiss as in Switzerland!) Authorities for potential Money Laundering. He happens to be the leader of the Transportation Union as well, so naturally, in order to put pressure on the Swiss Authorities, the people of Argentina are to suffer on Monday, to protest about some judge in Sitzerland investigating a crime. The gnomes of Zurich will be quaking in their boots with this strike, there will be mass demonstrations in Geneva calling for the head of the Swiss Police, Basle will be brought to it's knees..... etc., you get the picture? - Yeh, right!, Like they will even notice, and certainly they won't give a damn......

Now, when I was young, you occassionally heard of strikes taking place, really as an excuse to have a day off, but next week, Thursday and Friday are National Holidays anyway, so effectively, next week will be a Two-day Week for many, thanks to the disruption that will be caused for NOTHING.... It beggers belief....

Here is a link to the, brief, story in the local english language newspaper
http://www.buenosairesherald.com/article/61938/more-cgt-unions-join-call-for-national-strike
Naturally, there is far more to this than meets the eye. The Union Movement is a Law onto itself here, and this is a Political move of the worst kind - Sadly, the people follow, accept it is inevitable, put up with it all, shrug their shoulders and life goes on... As I say, sometimes, it beggers belief.....

OK - Think I will go for a run now.... Rant Over.....