I have both managed and been a manager. I have been unionised and non-unionised, unskilled, skilled and professional. I have been one of 5, 50 and 5,000 at one time or another. I know what works and what doesn't.

Tolerating an underperforming hostile workforce while you valianty try to make the necessary changes to save a failing business, never works. It is certainly why Wilko failed. Nobody seriously believes that the pay, conditions or management is any different at Poundland, Home Bargains or B&Ms, the more successful business that apparently had a big role in fatally wounding Wilko.

One suspects the difference is workplace culture. Employee culture. Union culture. Wilko is GMB, the other three are USDAW. I certainly wasn't impressed by the standards displayed by Wilko employees months ago, when there was still a chance the business could be turned around and management had already made very bold changes in an effort to turn things around, if only the workers showed the slightest interest in treating people like me as valued customers, not inconveniences. A visit to Home Bargains today saw me marvel at how dedicated the staff are.

Like Unite, GMB make a lot of noise and say a lot of things, such as this claim the management of Wilko, a business that existed for generations, are incompetent. Doesn't add up. Never does. USDAW are far quieter, known for negotiating in good faith and preferring ot to grandstand for political point scoring. A union that recognizes that a workforce without work is a pretty pointless thing indeed.