Last updated 11:40, Tuesday, 22 April 2008

Perhaps we should be grateful it’s not snowing. Not a winter of discontent this time, but a summer of strikes on the horizon.

Tough economic times will always bring disharmony, but this week alone Cumbrians face schools being closed and possible fuel shortages, both due to industrial action.

Today we report that motorists are being warned not to panic buy fuel after fears were raised that the whole country could be affected by a strike at the Grangemouth refinery.

The sad fact is, many people couldn’t afford to panic buy even if they wanted to.

The cost of fuel has shot through the roof and many of us are running our cars on close to empty, eking every last drop out of the fuel tank before re-filling.

The 1,200 workers who are expected to down tools at Grangemouth on April 27 and 28 are doing so in a row over pensions. The teachers who are walking out on Thursday, causing the closure of 1,000 schools nationwide, are doing so over pay.

The country will be split over where sympathies lie, whether striking and affecting the lives of hundreds and thousands of others is really the best solution towards reaching goals.

What is certain is that financial difficulties are not restricted to these two groups of people.

We are all feeling the pinch, but it is time to find solutions, not to panic.