Let workers have their say
IT will come as little surprise to our readers to know that we at the Evening Post are champions of the right to free speech.
Hence our concern at the decision by DVLA bosses to ban the petition to save Swansea Coastguard from its premises, in what appears to be a blatant attempt to gag staff and stifle opposition to this controversial move.
There are worries right across Swansea at the Government's proposal to axe the city's coastguard station — in shops and cafes around the city, the talk has been of lives being put at risk by this ridiculous decision which in the eyes of many is based on all the wrong reasons.
At the weekend another incident arose which highlighted the need for local knowledge when it comes to saving lives at sea.
Of course, nobody would expect DVLA managers to allow work time to be used to sign any petition, but outside of these hours, employees must be allowed the right to air their views on this very serious issue.
Surely it is up to those behind this move to face up to the opposition, counter the arguments and prove the best decision is being taken.
That's how democracy works.
6 Comments
by GSVale
Tuesday, July 26 2011, 2:26AM
“Free speech ROFLMAO. Just don't say anything bad about those nice travelling folk who live on the park and ride site. PMSL”
by Moneybox3
Monday, July 25 2011, 10:41PM
“Free Speech...Evening Post....are you sure? Sorry, but I don't agree. I've been banned so many times because I dared "step out of line!"”
by Jamoboii
Monday, July 25 2011, 4:41PM
“Evening post freedom of speech? That's a laugh! The evening post will print any old lies about our politicians government workers and volunteers in our communities without hearing the the valid and actual facts of the story. It appears to me that the evening post need to find out what the majority of their readers actually want to see in the post before bragging themselves up about their freedom of speech championship!”
by trunkles3
Monday, July 25 2011, 4:25PM
“Look into the DVLA bosses previous employers and you'll understand why they're not prepared to allow DVLA staff to have an opinion of their own. Most have worked for a local media company who treat customers and staff with complete disdain.”
by Philosoraptor
Monday, July 25 2011, 3:23PM
“What? You aren't upholders of freedom of speech, I have had posts removed because it offended a small minortity who live in La-La Land.
The day you let everybody have their own view and express it is the day you can start claiming to uphold freedom of speech. My comments weren't even a crime in anyway, it just annoyed those who do not work.
Evening Post, in your efforts to get rid of the bugs in this new web layout, I suggest you give the "Quiet Majority" a chance to get their voices heard by implementing a 'Thumbs Up/Thumbs Down' feature for the comments posted here.
That way the "Loud Minority" are finally silenced and the "Quiet Majority" get noticed. That is democracy.”
by siarad2
Monday, July 25 2011, 12:14PM
“He who pays the piper calls the tune”