From reading the papers, online news, and talking to my coworkers, this is the situation in a nutshell:
On one side of the coin, the tube workers union is very upset because there have been significant layoffs, benefit cuts, and they aren't going to get a raise they really want. Obviously these are less than enjoyable circumstances, which we all can sympathize with, because people all over the world are going through the same thing. But on the other side of the coin, one of my coworkers explained to me today (and keep in mind, I work at a RECORD LABEL - my coworkers are by no means the most conservative Londoners you could meet) that the tube workers are paid well above what other workers of similar skill level are paid, receive borderline extravagant benefits (including government-provided cell phones and in some cases cars - which seemed more than a little ironic to me), and guaranteed raises to keep pace with inflation. Overall its a complex issue, but myself being completely removed from the dispute between tube workers and the local government, its absolutely clear to me that the working population of London as a whole is being hurt at a time when plenty of them are already struggling in a very difficult economic environment. And any way you look at it that doesn't seem right. Also, I can't help but observe that for most people not showing up for work for two days will get you fired, not get you a raise.
On a more selfish note, I'm also pretty upset that this strike is preventing me from returning to wax philosophical about music with the bartenders at a really, really awesome bar I found last night. Its called The World's End:
The World's End is in Camden, a really trendy borough of London that, according to one of the less open-minded girls in my program, "Is full of weird people." Based on that statement, I (very accurately) concluded that this would be a great place to go for good music, and would be populated by a fair number of people that I would get along with quite nicely. Some quick internet research informed me that Camden is home to a number of the most venerable live music venues in London, such as The Barfly and the Roundhouse - two bars where bands such as Blur and Oasis cut their teeth before making it big.
Since it was a Monday night, there weren't any bands playing at The World's End last night, but the music playing over the PA was killer. It was the sort of hard-hitting indie punk that proves that The Clash and The Sex Pistols are very much still an influence in the rock scene over here, while at the same time showcasing the amazing inventiveness of the up-and-coming artists, mixing in influences from electronica, hip-hop, and plenty of things I couldn't put a name on if I tried. I had a great, long conversation with the bartenders, during which I made them write down the names of every band that played on the PA while I was there. I then wrote down the name of my newest band obsession (The Anomalies, which you've all heard me rave about in previous posts) for them, in order to spread some love and good musical karma.
I'm pissed that this tube strike is preventing me from going back tonight and seeing if those bartenders did their musical homework, but I'll settle for leaving all of you with the tale of another traveler who made the journey to the World's End as your "song of the day."
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