Rail Strikes Again!

Train guards (that's "Conductors" for the benefit of those living of the western side of the Atlantic) from nine British train operators are on strike today in a dispute over changing safety roles.

A lot of inconvenience for passengers (sorry, "Customers"). But the BBC news report on the disruption also states this.

Up to �10m of taxpayers' money will be given to the train companies in compensation for loss of business during the strikes

What on earth???

Can anyone tell me a single good reason why we have a system where companies have nothing to lose by taking a macho and confrontational attitude, provoking strikes when they don't get their way?

The big loser will be the public, of course, both from the inconvenience from the strikes themselves, and from higher taxes.