So essentially what I'm probably getting at is that our rights in this country at the moment favour the worker a lot more than they do the employer and the unions are just pushing for too much more.
Going to have to disagree on that sentence. You only have to see the recent reduction of penalty rates as a good example. Luckily the country rejected the ridiculously named "workchoices" all those year ago. There are some shit unionist out there (and my family have ben very critical of their own during their working lives), and I don't necessarily agree with any violence and standover tactics, but as Alan said, sometime these extremes are required, otherwise workers would simply have to do what they are told.
I personally have no use for a union. I make good money due to a particular skill I have, and currently am so lucky to be able to work three days a week (at 3/5 salary of course) so I can spend 2 days a week home with my son (which is awesome). But I also grew up in a working class family, where, without penalty rates and work safety, we would have really struggled to makes end meet. Dad worked 6 days a week, but made sure he made my sporting events on a Saturday afternoon, nearly always still in his work kit and smelling of high heaven. It took many years to realise how much I admire him
Also, being a Liquidator, I see workers being screwed over pretty much every other day (and it sucks).
At least I agree with you on the Paris side of things - it's a place where there vut off the kings head over 200 years ago FFS.
Anyway, its 38 degrees here (with humidity) and I don't have an air-conditioner and its too fucking hot to be sitting in front of a computer. Good day to all.