The First Kingly Workers Strike

The First Kingly Workers Strike, colloquially known as The King's self-ransom (Ruthi: Kungyns Sjelvlössummen), was an event in Vithinja that nearly caused a constitutional crisis in May of 1981. It was caused by King Ruth XX response to a successful attempt by the Boreal Syndicalist at putting new extensive expectations on the political position 'King of Vithinja'. King Ruth, having lost the vote could not simply deny these new guidelines, which included substantial limitations on the kings freedom of movement most days of the year, was not too pleased with these changes. After two months of living with his new work conditions he concluded that he wasn't satisfied. So, appealing to the constitutionally protected right to protest unfair working conditions, he started his own workers strike. His demands were simple: If his job; which he was born into, never really having a choice since he was the last surviving child of the former king, if this job set expectations far more extensive than most professions, how come he was not provided ANY compensation by his employer, the Vithinjan state? Something that the constitution made clear was a protected right of any official employee.

This protest created a substantial issue for the ruling body for two separate reasons. The first was the issue surrounding the rules of protest. While the constitutional right to protest for higher official positions requires proving a sufficient proof of unfairness, the protests may continue until the demands of the affected party is fulfilled. These demands did not need to in any way be connected to the arguments for unfairness. The second issue was... far more problematic. The king not taking care of his official duties would quickly cause substantial issues in the military, judicial and diplomatic needs of the nation.

Thus, only a week after the kings strike started, the state acquiesced to the kings demands. Most of the new expectations were removed, as well as a small wage only just above minimum wage now being provided for the kings efforts. This event was another embarrassment in a series of scandals that would cause the Boreal Syndicalists to lose their domineering position in the Vithinjan legislature, which would reach it's endpoint with the coup attempt of 1984.