Unions are a complete waste of time. When was the last time a union triumphed against the government or employers? They no longer have the power they used to, if they ever did.
I was involved in strike action in 2003 and the union was pathetic. They make false promises and make you believe you will win. Our union caved in and basically signed a blank bit of paper and allowed us to get shafted up the arse, which they are still doing.
Now in 2013 we have been balloted for strike action again. Most big union bosses are in bed with the government and will accept whatever benefits them and not necessarily the union members.
This is devastating for the workers at Grangemouth and the surrounding area but they were never going to get the outcome they wanted.