Can someone, the union concerned, the health department or any other sane body, explain this?

I got a telephone message from a health clinic informing me that, due to strike action by the podology staff, my wife’s and my appointments were being cancelled and, therefore, we need not attend for our appointments.

I asked whoever phoned what it was all about this time because the same thing happened some months ago. Her reply was that the staff were on some kind of strike action and she could not give any more information as to why they were refusing to see patients.

I went to the clinic expecting to see the podology staff outside the clinic in the scorching sun but, no, no sign of anyone. I went inside and the waiting area for the podology clinic was deserted.

When I asked the reception where were the podology staff I was told that they were inside in their air-conditioned offices doing nothing. I suppose they were being paid as well for not doing their job.

If they were only seeing urgent cases, I would like to know the number of patients seen since the action started. It is okay to take action to improve your working conditions but you have to be responsible for your actions. You either strike and stay out or if you are not prepared to suffer the consequences for strike action, do what you are being paid to do.

In my days when strike action was ordered, you downed tools and stayed outside the workplace and for the time the action was in force you received no pay.