Freedom of expression doesn't make it all right

[venta]

These days, if you mention the words "identity cards" and "human rights' violation" in the same sentence you can be reasonably sure that a good chunk of the UK will froth righteously along with you.

Yesterday, the BBC ran a story on the threat of strike action from Tube workers over plans to introduce workers' identity cards.

Now, I'm coming to the conclusion that the RMT will strike over practically anything at the moment, so it didn't particularly surprise me.

However, I was surprised by this:

The union fears the card would include fingerprint recognition and could be used to discipline staff in disputes about clocking on and clocking off times.

"It is a gross infringement of human rights to use such a card to clock on and we will resist it," he said.

I don't understand. As far as I can tell, that's a perfectly normal clocking on/off system, such as has been in use in thousands of workplaces for decades. Obviously workers will resist - who'd want to hand their boss a foolproof method of demonstrating how often they're ten minutes late for work ? But the RMT's justification for their stance eludes me.

Now, I'm aware that something having been considered "normal" for years doesn't actually mean that it isn't a violation of human rights. But really - can anyone explain to me how such a card scheme would constitute such a violation ? Does wanting to check that your employees are who they say they are, or that they're working the right hours, actually risk infringing their rights ?

Is the RMT just hoping that they can file this issue under the general ID Cards debate, and praying that enough woolly-minded liberal types will back them out of solidarity ?

On a completely irrelevant note, the mother (who is always better informed than I) tells me that a Goth Eucharist is scheduled to take place at Whitby on Sunday. She didn't mention which church, but I assume it'd be St Mary's (ie the one at the top of the steps near the Abbey).

Can anyone tell me what on earth a Goth Eucharist is ? Aside from quick jokes about the transubstantiation of cider and black, what is the difference ? Presumably the implication is that no one will bat an eyelid if you go for communion in a corset, but apart from that... is it anything other than a name to let visitors know they'd be welcome ?

I've been to "folk services" there during Whitby folk week, which usually just means that the music is more folk-orientated than normal. The prospect of a goth service on the same lines makes me quail. Can anyone shed any light ?

Comments

[wechsler.livejournal.com]

It's the RMT. *Any* reason is good enough to strike over; to the extent that any genuine cause, such as safety issues or privacy, are immediately compromised as soon as the RMT put their name to it.

[jiggery-pokery.livejournal.com]

As sympathetic as I am towards unions at large and socialist causes: got it in one, sir.

Fingerprint recognition might be the only contentious part; although not foolproof, it seems hard enough to cheat and requiring of relatively little equipment to the point where it's a good solution. I wouldn't mind if work swapped our current identity card system for something as easy-to-use, clean and quick based around fingerprints, for instance.

[diffrentcolours]

it seems hard enough to cheat

Articles I've read in security-related circles (such as Bruce Schneier's blog) suggest otherwise. There are also implications concerning the abuse of the data that the company holds, since it can be used to generate false fingerprints which can impersonate you.

[ewx.livejournal.com]

How do you propose to keep your fingerprint secret from the ill-intentioned? Once they've got it, how are you going to go about revoking your fingerprint?

[davefish.livejournal.com]

I shall do all in my power to not let them chop my fingers off.