Cut work hours

On 31 January it will be 91 years since "Bloody Friday" in Glasgow's George Square and the culmination of the 40 Hours Strike. As we continue to feel the effects of the latest financial calamity born out of capitalist greed, one of the principal causes of the 1919 strike, high unemployment, seems as prevalent today as it was then.

The call for a 40-hour working week was based on the argument that a shorter week would create vacancies for recently demobilised First World War soldiers, and to improve work-life balance.

Although today's reasons might be different, Scotland is currently trying to tackle high unemployment while for those in work the stresses of the modern workplace remain considerable. So is it time for a 30-hour week?

STEPHEN BOWMAN

Liddel Road

Cumbernauld, Lanarkshire