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Yes, but he walks a line of lazy humour to justify it, like a sugar pill to deliver justification for bigotry to his readers and a veil of humour to others.

Clarkson is a catch all persona for the bewildered.

He's just not funny.

In context, his comment isn't particularly inflammatory - it was more of a jibe against the BBC rather than the strikes. He did voice his support for those striking earlier. It's certainly nothing to get riled up about - there's far more important things happening in the world today:

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/world/top-israeli-general-explosions-reportedly-hit-iranian-nuclear-sites-accidents-article-1.984749

I think his choice of 'joke' was pretty poor considering this year saw a massacre of left wing youth in Norway and the EDL stating that striking trade unionists had become a "legitimate target" because they believe in multiculturalism.

I expect there's also people in the UK seeking asylum who have come from countries where this kind of thing does happen but I don't think it needs the attention it's getting...

...Oh wait, he's got a book and a DVD to sell? He's certainly getting a lot of publicity.