Striking out
has produced an intriguing range of responses from Scotland's politicians.
The sundry contenders for the Labour leadership in Scotland have each issued statements essentially supporting the strikers - and urging talks - presumably featuring an enhanced offer, to resolve the dispute.
By contrast, First Minister Alex Salmond has argued that it would be an error to seek to remedy price inflation by wage inflation.
He was challenged on the issue - by a trades unionist - during audience questions after he at the Edinburgh book festival last night.
Mr Salmond said government endeavour both north and south of the Border should be directed towards ameliorating price inflation, particularly in the energy sector.
Why the difference? Simple, really. The Labour MSPs are presently seeking the votes of their movement, including union members who will be directly balloted.
Not smart politics, in short, to oppose a pay claim one day, then seek enthusiastic personal endorsment the next.
In contradistinction to that, Alex Salmond and John Swinney are trying to implement a three-year funding agreement with local authorities, who are employers in this dispute, from relatively constrained resources.
Hence their stance on pay.
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