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Some Questions for The Public Sector Bashers

  • 24-10-2009 3:15pm
    #1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 789 ✭✭✭


    Question for all of ye that have suddenly come out of the woodwork to bash those of us working (very hard I might add) in the Public Sector....

    Why did you not try and get a job in the Irish Public Sector during the boom and when they were recruiting quite a lot?

    Were you so happy with your private sector bonuses and rapid promotions that I know many people were getting?

    Did the Public Sector seem an area that was not exciting enough for your undoubted talents?

    Why were you not opening threads on forums / fora such as this venting your opinion about how the Public sector were going to ruin the country?

    Were you objecting to the rapidly increasing house prices and the obvious effects this was having on mortgages and consequently wages in this economy?

    Did you vent your feelings about Public Sector workers the last time you had an ineraction with a nurse, teacher, guard, dole office staff, social worker etc.?

    Are your opinions on the Public Sector workers influenced by the slow drip feed of negatives being conveniently and continuously being released to the media in recent times?

    What are your thoughts regarding those uindividuals that have avoided paying their taxes for many years in this country in spite of earning many multiples of Public Sector wages.

    What are your thoughts about workers in banks whose effects on tis economy is much more stark but are now getting pay rises?


«13456

Comments

  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2,539 ✭✭✭jimmmy


    If you take the trouble to read through the various threads you will find answers to all of the above.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 10,968 ✭✭✭✭Praetorian Saighdiuir


    jimmmy wrote: »
    If you take the trouble to read through the various threads you will find answers to all of the above.



    I want to hear you answer these Jimmmy.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,200 ✭✭✭imme


    jimmmy wrote: »
    If you take the trouble to read through the various threads you will find answers to all of the above.
    I don't believe so


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 9,376 ✭✭✭ei.sdraob


    jimd2 wrote: »
    Question for all of ye that have suddenly come out of the woodwork to bash those of us working (very hard I might add) in the Public Sector....
    during the boom yee kept getting benchmarked up, but everyone said fine the money is there, they deserve it

    now we learn there is no money, and alot needs to be borrowed just to keep paying yee the same hugely inflated wages, also coming to light is the huge amount of waste (ministers expenses,hse failures,FAS) still happening.
    when a tide leaves all the rubbish gets exposed on the beach

    jimd2 wrote: »
    Question for all of ye that have suddenly come out of the woodwork to bash those of us working (very hard I might add) in the Public Sector....
    alot of people did get jobs in public sector, your numbers have risen and there are **** load of quangos now

    jimd2 wrote: »
    Were you so happy with your private sector bonuses and rapid promotions that I know many people were getting?
    what bonuses and what promotions? most people got by, the people gained most are in construction, they also lost the most now

    and lets not forget the private sector has no job security


    jimd2 wrote: »
    Did the Public Sector seem an area that was not exciting enough for your undoubted talents?
    100% of the population cant work on the public sector

    thats called communism

    and we know how that ends up


    jimd2 wrote: »
    Why were you not opening threads on forums / fora such as this venting your opinion about how the Public sector were going to ruin the country?
    once again the money was there to pay yee and grow fat
    alot of people did protest against the raping by the "social partners" and the unions

    jimd2 wrote: »
    Did you vent your feelings about Public Sector workers the last time you had an ineraction with a nurse, teacher, guard, dole office staff, social worker etc.?
    dont get me started, i personally hold a grudge about several depts for terrible service compared to what one gets in other EU countries

    jimd2 wrote: »
    Are your opinions on the Public Sector workers influenced by the slow drip feed of negatives being conveniently and continuously being released to the media in recent times?
    as i said now that the tide is gone, all the dirty bits are being exposed, and the amount of waste is sickening

    jimd2 wrote: »
    What are your thoughts regarding those uindividuals that have avoided paying their taxes for many years in this country in spite of earning many multiples of Public Sector wages.
    send them to jail, along with all the public sector wasters who wasted even more money

    jimd2 wrote: »
    What are your thoughts about workers in banks whose effects on tis economy is much more stark but are now getting pay rises?
    they shouldn't have been given a cent in the first place (by the government who are part of the PS)


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 39,022 ✭✭✭✭Permabear


    This post has been deleted.


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 331 ✭✭glaston


    When a private company goes through lean times they have to make changes to avoid going under. Usually comprising of staff and or wage cuts, changing employee working practices, running efficiency programmes, rationalisation and all that. This isnt bashing anybody, its taking a good hard look at the fundamental structure of the business, how it should be improved. This kind of change is always necessary to survive.

    The time has come for the public sector to be put under the same microscope.
    As a country we are hemorrhaging money.
    Private and public sector workers have a right to expect value for their tax money.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 361 ✭✭HollyB


    ei.sdraob wrote: »
    during the boom yee kept getting benchmarked up, but everyone said fine the money is there, they deserve it

    Logically, wouldn't that mean that the post-benchmarking pay rates are the pay rates that public sector workers merit based on their work and that any cuts would be solely because of the economic situation, not the value of the work done by public sector workers?

    I'd say that most public sector workers know that, under the present economic climate, pay cuts are necessary and that they accept that they need to take a hit in the pay packet for the sake of the economy but it's the vitriol being directed at the public sector workers that they have a problem with. If the public sector is being scapegoated, what guarantee do they have that, if they accept a pay cut without a fight this budget, they won't find themselves targetted again next year, or even a few months down the line, because the government knows that it's succeeded in its divide and conquer strategy and that they can count on having plenty of people who are practically salivating at the prospect of the public sector workers taking another hit?

    A little acknowledgement that the economic downturn is not the fault of the public sector as a whole and of the cuts the public sector is taking would probably go a long way, much further than bitter rants against public sector pay and pensions ever will.

    I'd take a pay cut for the sake of getting the economy back on track. I wouldn't take one because of people whining that I'm overpaid because of the salary agreed upon through benchmarking and union negotiations.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,200 ✭✭✭imme


    This post has been deleted.

    (1)did no one listen to what you've been saying for years, were you taking to yourself?
    (2) what do you mean by irresponsibly expansionist monetary policy? It's just a collection of words, designed to look good, imo. Who do you suggest was implementing this policy post-Euro, the Irish Central Bank? or was this a Euro-wide policy?
    (3) what problems did teachers and nurses create exactly. Did your TD and councillor not listen to you, I'm shocked. Do they still call on you?


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 987 ✭✭✭diverdriver


    Well you asked:rolleyes:
    jimd2 wrote: »
    Question for all of ye that have suddenly come out of the woodwork to bash those of us working (very hard I might add) in the Public Sector....
    I don't bash the public sector, most people don't bash the public sector. This is a lie been perpetrated by your unions and people with an agenda?
    Why did you not try and get a job in the Irish Public Sector during the boom and when they were recruiting quite a lot?
    I had a job thank you. I didn't need another one.
    Were you so happy with your private sector bonuses and rapid promotions that I know many people were getting?
    This the excuse for used for the benchmarking process. The reality was quite different. Again this is a myth your unions want you to believe. As it happens I did get bonuses and by God I earned them. They weren't simply handed out the way they are in certain PS jobs. My last one was about €300 for the year. Rapid promotion? Again earned. My payrise was....wait for it £200 a year and then only because I argued I should get something. Remember pay rises and benchmarking were meaningless to the private sector. All my payrises were around 1% or 2% or if I was lucky 3%. Thanks to typical ruthless private sector practices. My pay was actually less the day I left than it was two years earlier.
    Did the Public Sector seem an area that was not exciting enough for your undoubted talents?
    That's a stupid point.
    Why were you not opening threads on forums / fora such as this venting your opinion about how the Public sector were going to ruin the country?
    Another myth from your union friends. The PS is not ruining the country. No one is saying that. NOBODY. We all know who dropped us in it. It wasn't the PS.
    Were you objecting to the rapidly increasing house prices and the obvious effects this was having on mortgages and consequently wages in this economy?
    Frankly yes. Who wasn't. I was priced out of it. It was unsustainable and we all knew it.
    Did you vent your feelings about Public Sector workers the last time you had an ineraction with a nurse, teacher, guard, dole office staff, social worker etc.?
    No because I don't blame them for what happened. In any case, it isn't nice. I had quite a pleasant conversation with the Garda, who did me for speeding recently. Again this is one of the myths.
    Are your opinions on the Public Sector workers influenced by the slow drip feed of negatives being conveniently and continuously being released to the media in recent times?
    If you mean the truth about waste in the public service, sick days, allowances, short working days, inefficiencies. Then the answer is no. I knew all about that kind of thing for years. It was no secret you know. We all knew about it. We just put up with it.
    What are your thoughts regarding those uindividuals that have avoided paying their taxes for many years in this country in spite of earning many multiples of Public Sector wages.
    They should be pursued and arrested by the PS workers whose job is to stop them. But what have tax dodgers have to do with the PS wages?
    What are your thoughts about workers in banks whose effects on tis economy is much more stark but are now getting pay rises?
    It's outrageous. But then that's the union way. Haven't the PS unions asked for payrises too.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,475 ✭✭✭drkpower


    jimd2 wrote: »
    Question for all of ye that have suddenly come out of the woodwork to bash those of us working (very hard I might add) in the Public Sector....

    Why did you not try and get a job in the Irish Public Sector during the boom and when they were recruiting quite a lot?

    Were you so happy with your private sector bonuses and rapid promotions that I know many people were getting?

    Did the Public Sector seem an area that was not exciting enough for your undoubted talents?

    Why were you not opening threads on forums / fora such as this venting your opinion about how the Public sector were going to ruin the country?

    Were you objecting to the rapidly increasing house prices and the obvious effects this was having on mortgages and consequently wages in this economy?

    Did you vent your feelings about Public Sector workers the last time you had an ineraction with a nurse, teacher, guard, dole office staff, social worker etc.?

    Are your opinions on the Public Sector workers influenced by the slow drip feed of negatives being conveniently and continuously being released to the media in recent times?

    What are your thoughts regarding those uindividuals that have avoided paying their taxes for many years in this country in spite of earning many multiples of Public Sector wages.

    What are your thoughts about workers in banks whose effects on tis economy is much more stark but are now getting pay rises?

    All of the above questions are irrelevent (aswell as perjorative and unnecessarily provocative). The country has less money now, is spending more than it earns, and needs to reduce expenditure. There are a number of areas to choose from. One of them is public sector wages. They will be cut. They have to be cut. The only question is whether the public service decides to damage the country further by engaging in crippling industrial action.

    The public vs private fighting and the blame game is pointless- and potentially dangerous. Dont fall into that trap.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,441 ✭✭✭jhegarty


    jimd2 wrote: »
    Question for all of ye that have suddenly come out of the woodwork to bash those of us working (very hard I might add) in the Public Sector...


    It's not bashed. We just can't afford it.

    Every time the government puts up tax , less comes in.

    Lets say I agree with every point in your post, where is the money going to come from ?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,290 ✭✭✭dresden8


    ei.sdraob wrote: »
    kept getting benchmarked up,

    How many benchmarking processes resulted in pay increases in the public sector?

    And I don't mean for politicians, they screwed everybody over several times. Real public sector workers.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 9,376 ✭✭✭ei.sdraob


    HollyB wrote: »
    Logically, wouldn't that mean that the post-benchmarking pay rates are the pay rates that public sector workers merit based on their work and that any cuts would be solely because of the economic situation, not the value of the work done by public sector workers?

    "they deserve it"

    should have been in quotes

    thats what the unions kept telling us, lucky for them there was money to raise wages with well above eu average thanks to a boom in construction

    now that the money is gone, its unreasonable to expect same high salaries as before
    dresden8 wrote: »
    How many benchmarking processes resulted in pay increases in the public sector?

    And I don't mean for politicians, they screwed everybody over several times. Real public sector workers.

    i dont know, how many raises and other perks where there, it certainly was on the news alot


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 438 ✭✭gerry28


    jhegarty wrote: »
    Every time the government puts up tax , less comes in.

    If public sector wages are cut there will be less money spent in the economy... VAT will fall further.

    Don't underestimate the psychological effect a paycut will have on the public sector - money will be hoarded even more than it is already.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,475 ✭✭✭drkpower


    gerry28 wrote: »
    If public sector wages are cut there will be less money spent in the economy... VAT will fall further.

    Don't underestimate the psychological effect a paycut will have on the public sector - money will be hoarded even more than it is already.

    Oh right, should we raise wages then?! Im afraid the ability of our economy to engage in a tax cutting and wage-rising stimulus just simply isnt there.
    Cutting wages has some very unfortunate repurcussions, sure, but there is no alternative. We cant just keep spending as it is.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,290 ✭✭✭dresden8


    ei.sdraob wrote: »


    i dont know, how many raises and other perks where there, it certainly was on the news alot

    Indeed. It was on the news a lot. A lot.

    There was one benchmarking award of an average of 9%.

    Everything else was the normal partnership agreements that everybody got.

    Average "pension levy" was 7.9%.

    Pre-benchmarking base 100

    9% average benchmarking 109

    "levy" of 7.9% 100.4

    Net effect of benchmarking and pension levy is 0.4% increase in pay. Approx 0.2% nett.

    I don't suppose jimmmy will have a chance to quote "the great" Eddie Hobbs on this issue, as Eddie won't mention it.

    Given these figures how is benchmarking to blame for our economic woes?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,417 ✭✭✭Count Dooku


    jimd2 wrote: »
    Question for all of ye that have suddenly come out of the woodwork to bash those of us working (very hard I might add) in the Public Sector....

    Why did you not try and get a job in the Irish Public Sector during the boom and when they were recruiting quite a lot?

    It wasn’t so easy to get a job. Everybody wanted to have a nice well paid, secure job with pension paid by taxpayers.
    In 2006 80,000 applied for 3900 positions in public sector.
    https://www.tribune.ie/archive/article/2007/apr/01/open-access-to-public-service-jobs/
    In 2006 the Public Appointments Service, through Publicjobs. ie, attracted some 80,000 applicants to apply for jobs throughout the public service. These positions ranged from clerical officers, junior diplomats and legal professionals in the civil service to engineers and senior managers in local authorities to hospital consultants and administrators in the health sector.
    For example, in 2009 , when unemployment was already huge, only 4000 applied for 280 jobs in IKEA, which give us 14 applicants per position, while for PS jobs it was 20 applicants per position


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,658 ✭✭✭old boy


    op can you answer one simple question,
    while every other sector are having to take wage cuts, change work practices, you people are demanding pay increases.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,981 ✭✭✭Paulzx


    benwavner wrote: »
    I want to hear you answer these Jimmmy.

    I don't:)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,290 ✭✭✭dresden8


    old boy wrote: »
    on,
    while every other sector are having to take wage cuts,

    This is simply not true.


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 438 ✭✭gerry28


    drkpower wrote: »
    Oh right, should we raise wages then?!

    No, i'm not saying that - my point is that cutting public sector wages is not going to be the solution many seem to think it will be.

    1.3 billion is mentioned as if cutting the wages by an exact percent will yield this sum exactly.

    It more than likely won't - the effect it will have is unknown... more money hoarded, more jobs lost and so on.

    It seems like the government is going to slowly drip out the misery every few months and every budget for the next 3 or so years.

    How do they hope to instill confidence in our economy like this.

    A policy of pain and little else!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,290 ✭✭✭dresden8


    Originally Posted by benwavner
    I want to hear you answer these Jimmmy
    Paulzx wrote: »
    I don't:)

    Please don't say things like that, he'll claim the public service are trying to shut him up so the truth won't get out there.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 331 ✭✭glaston


    while every other sector are having to take wage cuts,
    dresden8 wrote: »
    This is simply not true.

    It is true for any employer who cannot afford to pay the wages.
    They either cut the wages or cut staff.

    Unfortunately your employer now finds itself in the same position.
    Take your pick.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 865 ✭✭✭Purple Gorilla


    Dresden, where do you propose we get the €400 million a week we are borrowing and why do you feel the Public Sector shouldn't be subject to a pay-cut when the Private Sector, on average, is now earning quite a bit less than their public-sector counterparts?
    Remember, the Pension levy is tax-deductible and the private sector has been subject to worse paycuts.

    I don't want sob stories about how some people don't deserve it or anything like that. We simply can't afford it. I really just want solid proposals from you on where we should be getting the money from if we can't get a pay-cut from the PS


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,475 ✭✭✭drkpower


    gerry28 wrote: »
    No, i'm not saying that - my point is that cutting public sector wages is not going to be the solution many seem to think it will be.

    If anyone thinks cutting Ps wages is the solution, they are deluded. However cutting spending significantly is necessary and Ps wages is part of that. It may not work, but not cutting spending definitely will not work.

    The "who deserves it" argument (which you havent engaged in) is an irrelevent side issue guaranteed only to cause resentment and disquiet, the last thing we need right now (unless it is targetted against the Gov!)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,200 ✭✭✭imme


    Dresden, where do you propose we get the €400 million a week we are borrowing and why do you feel the Public Sector shouldn't be subject to a pay-cut when the Private Sector, on average, is now earning quite a bit less than their public-sector counterparts?
    Remember, the Pension levy is tax-deductible and the private sector has been subject to worse paycuts.

    I don't want sob stories about how some people don't deserve it or anything like that. We simply can't afford it. I really just want solid proposals from you on where we should be getting the money from if we can't get a pay-cut from the PS
    the PS pension levy is not tax deductible
    Edit: It is tax deductible. apologies PurpleGorilla


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,290 ✭✭✭dresden8


    Dresden, where do you propose we get the €400 million a week we are borrowing and why do you feel the Public Sector shouldn't be subject to a pay-cut when the Private Sector, on average, is now earning quite a bit less than their public-sector counterparts?
    Remember, the Pension levy is tax-deductible and the private sector has been subject to worse paycuts.

    I don't want sob stories about how some people don't deserve it or anything like that. We simply can't afford it. I really just want solid proposals from you on where we should be getting the money from if we can't get a pay-cut from the PS

    Remember, benchmarking was taxed on the way up and not all the private sector has been subject to worse paycuts.

    Some of the private sector are still receiving pay rises and bonuses.

    There are a lot of blatant lies and bull**** going around about this.

    Maybe if the private sector stumped up this 6.1 billion per year they owed the country our 4 billion target this year could be met, and then some. Not to mention all the money that has been defrauded over the years.

    http://www.independent.ie/business/irish/the-black-economy--is-back-in-business-1917172.html

    How will that 6.1 billion affect average private sector earnings figures?

    Maybe jimmmy could ask "the great" Eddie Hobbs to work it out.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,475 ✭✭✭drkpower


    Jesus, Dresden; why oh why do you waste your time on this argument. Even if the private sector was flying and in rude health, it wouldnt change the Governmental finances - money has to be saved - public sector pay is a major spend - its bound to be cut. Deriding the private sector is irrelevent.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 9,183 ✭✭✭dvpower


    imme wrote: »
    the PS pension levy is not tax deductible

    What? Isn't it taken from gross income?


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,290 ✭✭✭dresden8


    drkpower wrote: »
    Jesus, Dresden; why oh why do you waste your time on this argument. Even if the private sector was flying and in rude health, it wouldnt change the Governmental finances - money has to be saved - public sector pay is a major spend - its bound to be cut. Deriding the private sector is irrelevent.

    6.1 billion is irrelevant?

    All I've done here is counter the lies and bull**** that "the great" Eddie Hobbs, IBEC and the government are spreading about the public sector.

    There is a propaganda war going on at the moment and public sector workers do not like being villified by sectoral interests intent on scapegoating us.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 976 ✭✭✭Arnold Layne


    dresden8 wrote: »
    How many benchmarking processes resulted in pay increases in the public sector?

    A similar question can be asked in relation to Private Sector workers, i.e. how many Private Sector workers received bonuses every year and I mean real Private Sector workers.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,475 ✭✭✭drkpower


    dresden8 wrote: »
    6.1 billion is irrelevant?

    All I've done here is counter the lies and bull**** that "the great" Eddie Hobbs, IBEC and the government are spreading about the public sector.

    There is a propaganda war going on at the moment and public sector workers do not like being villified by sectoral interests intent on scapegoating us.

    The €6.1 billion in the black economy, right? Sure, go for it; the public sector employees whose job it is should get that money, absolutely.:pac:

    But leaving that aside, dont you realise that fighting the private sector will do nothing for your cause. Its entirley irrelevent. I appreciate you want to correct some possile misperceptions that others have created about the PS.

    But, at the end of the day, even if these issues are clarified in your favour, you remain in the same position. The Government must cut its spending. Exactly how much comes from wages is a matter for discussion but it has to happen. And engaging in industrial action will only hurt everyone, including thePS, at the end of the day.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 12,382 ✭✭✭✭AARRRGH


    jimd2 wrote: »
    Why did you not try and get a job in the Irish Public Sector during the boom and when they were recruiting quite a lot?

    The public sector mentality has always depressed me. I am ambitious and don't want to be surrounded by people trying to drag me down to their level.

    jimd2 wrote: »
    Were you so happy with your private sector bonuses and rapid promotions that I know many people were getting?

    I have never gotten a bonus, however I do like working for multinationals.

    jimd2 wrote: »
    Did the Public Sector seem an area that was not exciting enough for your undoubted talents?

    In general, yes. I would work as a researcher for the military though.

    jimd2 wrote: »
    Why were you not opening threads on forums / fora such as this venting your opinion about how the Public sector were going to ruin the country?

    I have always thought the public sector was ****ed, but the country used to be able to afford it.

    The problem with you and most public sector workers is you think we're jealous; we're not. We just understand we can't afford you in your current form anymore.

    jimd2 wrote: »
    Were you objecting to the rapidly increasing house prices and the obvious effects this was having on mortgages and consequently wages in this economy?

    Yes, I have been worried about the bubble for years.

    jimd2 wrote: »
    Did you vent your feelings about Public Sector workers the last time you had an ineraction with a nurse, teacher, guard, dole office staff, social worker etc.?

    We could afford their wages the last time I had to talk to a Garda or nurse.

    jimd2 wrote: »
    Are your opinions on the Public Sector workers influenced by the slow drip feed of negatives being conveniently and continuously being released to the media in recent times?

    The constant negative news obviously isn't helping your cause.

    jimd2 wrote: »
    What are your thoughts regarding those uindividuals that have avoided paying their taxes for many years in this country in spite of earning many multiples of Public Sector wages.

    Not sure how this is relevant, but obvously tax dodgers are dodgy.

    jimd2 wrote: »
    What are your thoughts about workers in banks whose effects on tis economy is much more stark but are now getting pay rises?

    Obviously people in the banks (the ones which have been bailed out) should not be getting raises or bonuses.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,200 ✭✭✭imme


    dvpower wrote: »
    What? Isn't it taken from gross income?
    It is tax deductible, apologies PurpleGorilla


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,417 ✭✭✭Count Dooku


    dresden8 wrote: »
    6.1 billion is irrelevant?

    All I've done here is counter the lies and bull**** that "the great" Eddie Hobbs, IBEC and the government are spreading about the public sector.

    There is a propaganda war going on at the moment and public sector workers do not like being villified by sectoral interests intent on scapegoating us.

    Public services are spreading more propaganda and lies then IBEC and government
    Just received flyer, which repeats one-to-one lies from this site
    http://www.7stepstotransform.ie/
    But just few points
    a)
    A third of public service workers earn less than €40,000 a year
    Average industrial salary is 23K, and two thirds of PS workers are getting much more then that
    b)
    The OECD also found that, by and large, Irish public service is efficient and delivers good value for money.
    This is what OECD says
    OECD Economic survey of Ireland 2008: Adapting government spending to lower revenue growth
    Public expenditure growth needs to slow and efficiency must be increased

    All figures and facts from IMAPCT are from pre-benchmarking area, mostly from 2005
    IBEC and government are using fresh figures.
    I understand that most of PS workers don’t like to see it, but so far nobody gave any good reason why all figures from government and IBEC are incorrect

    Sorry, but most lies are coming from public sector


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,290 ✭✭✭dresden8


    drkpower wrote: »
    The €6.1 billion in the black economy, right? Sure, go for it; the public sector employees whose job it is should get that money, absolutely.:pac:

    But leaving that aside, dont you realise that fighting the private sector will do nothing for your cause. Its entirley irrelevent. I appreciate you want to correct some possile misperceptions that others have created about the PS.

    But, at the end of the day, even if these issues are clarified in your favour, you remain in the same position. The Government must cut its spending. Exactly how much comes from wages is a matter for discussion but it has to happen. And engaging in industrial action will only hurt everyone, including thePS, at the end of the day.

    What you'll find is exactly the same thing that happened in the 1980's.

    FF will cut the number of public servants going after those people and then it's payola for FF and IBEC's friends.

    I like the way benchmarking and average pay is thrown out in an endless stream of posts but when counter arguements are put forward they become totally irrelevant.

    FF, IBEC, ISME and "the great Eddie Hobbs have already set out their stall. the public service are going to get "hurt", it's time to stand up and tell them we'll take a "fair" share, we won't be demonised and singled out.

    The "average" public sector employee has taken a paycut so that AIB and BOI can have pay rises paid from the public purse.

    How do you think that plays?


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 420 ✭✭tommmy1979


    jimd2 wrote: »
    Why did you not try and get a job in the Irish Public Sector during the boom and when they were recruiting quite a lot?

    I did ! I did !... After seeing the salary scale they were offering i remember thinking that getting the Job would be like winning the
    f*cking lottery and going into semi-retirement at the same time:eek:... oh well:(

    T


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,200 ✭✭✭imme


    Public services are spreading more propaganda and lies then IBEC and government
    Just received flyer, which repeats one-to-one lies from this site
    http://www.7stepstotransform.ie/
    But just few points
    a)

    Average industrial salary is 23K, and two thirds of PS workers are getting much more then that
    b)

    This is what OECD says
    OECD Economic survey of Ireland 2008: Adapting government spending to lower revenue growth


    All figures and facts from IMAPCT are from pre-benchmarking area, mostly from 2005
    IBEC and government are using fresh figures.
    I understand that most of PS workers don’t like to see it, but so far nobody gave any good reason why all figures from government and IBEC are incorrect

    (1) Sorry, but most lies are coming from public sector
    (1) are you sure?
    the average industrial wage in Ireland would appear to be €32k, not €23k that you quote, where did you get €23k from?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,475 ✭✭✭drkpower


    dresden8 wrote: »
    FF, IBEC, ISME and "the great Eddie Hobbs have already set out their stall. the public service are going to get "hurt", it's time to stand up and tell them we'll take a "fair" share, we won't be demonised and singled out.

    The "average" public sector employee has taken a paycut so that AIB and BOI can have pay rises paid from the public purse.

    How do you think that plays?

    It doesnt play well. And you shouldnt be demonised.

    But it is not them versus us. You need to get away from that analysis. It will only do everyone harm. And incidentally, the Government laugh their ass off everytime a public sector worker sounds off against a private sector worker (or vice versa). The anger going sideways suits them perfectly. Dont fall for it.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,290 ✭✭✭dresden8


    Public services are spreading more propaganda and lies then IBEC and government

    Any stats on the number of lies told, or is this just another everybody knows?
    a)

    Average industrial salary is 23K, and two thirds of PS workers are getting much more then that

    Links to stats please, If you post "facts" you must be able to back them up.

    Makes sense to me. Your point?

    All figures and facts from IMAPCT are from pre-benchmarking area, mostly from 2005
    IBEC and government are using fresh figures.
    I understand that most of PS workers don’t like to see it, but so far nobody gave any good reason why all figures from government and IBEC are incorrect

    Sorry, but most lies are coming from public sector

    Ooh, hoisted by your own petard. Benchmarking awards became effective from 2001 and were payable in 2003 and then on a phased basis.

    http://www.finance.gov.ie/viewdoc.asp?DocID=511

    Another "everyone knows" I suppose.

    Seriously, the level of ignorance around this whole issue is staggering, considering the importance of the issue and the number of internet "experts".


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,017 ✭✭✭The_Thing


    (Q) - Why did you not try and get a job in the Irish Public Sector during the boom and when they were recruiting quite a lot?

    (A) - Pride:
    Men were too proud to be seen sweeping the streets, collecting other people's filthy bins, cleaning drains, picking up dead animals off the roads, etc, etc.

    Let me explain my answer, jimd2.

    I have been employed with a local authority for almost twenty years in their outdoor section and the very first task I was given when I started was sweeping the streets. Apart from the fact the streets needed cleaning this was also a test - a test to see if you really wanted the job and that you'd stick it out. You would be suprised the number of guys who would do a disappearing act as soon as they were told to go sweeping.

    On another occasion I was asked about a litter warden's job that had been adverised. When I mentioned the fact that it would involve picking up waste which had been illegaly dumped and examine it for evidence to prosecute those involved, the person asking was no longer interested in applying.

    If the above was happening in my local authority then I am fairly certain that it was happening all over the country too.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,290 ✭✭✭dresden8


    drkpower wrote: »
    It doesnt play well. And you shouldnt be demonised.

    But it is not them versus us. You need to get away from that analysis. It will only do everyone harm. And incidentally, the Government laugh their ass off everytime a public sector worker sounds off against a private sector worker (or vice versa). The anger going sideways suits them perfectly. Dont fall for it.

    I think you'll find we didn't start it. Public servants are on the defensive on this forum and in the media.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 331 ✭✭glaston


    The "average" public sector employee has taken a paycut so that AIB and BOI can have pay rises paid from the public purse.

    If you are refering to the pension levy then I disagree.

    The public sector pension system wasnt and still isnt sustainable (imo). Increased life expectancy, rediculously young retirement ages and guaranteed payouts being the problems, not the bankers.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,290 ✭✭✭dresden8


    glaston wrote: »
    If you are refering to the pension levy then I disagree.

    The public sector pension system wasnt and still isnt sustainable (imo). Increased life expectancy, rediculously young retirement ages and guaranteed payouts being the problems, not the bankers.

    Sigh.

    The "pension levy" has nothing to do with pensions.

    It does not go into a pension pot.

    It confers no pension entitlements.

    It is levied against payments which are not pensionable.

    It is levied against employees who have no pension entitlements.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,783 ✭✭✭rugbyman


    gerry28 wrote: »
    If public sector wages are cut there will be less money spent in the economy... VAT will fall further.

    Don't underestimate the psychological effect a paycut will have on the public sector - money will be hoarded even more than it is already.

    surely you are not suggesting that the government borrow more money to pay PS workers as usual, so as to keep some after tax wages in the loop, and that the government will benefit from the vat on these wages that will then be spent?
    regards ,
    Rugbyman


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,200 ✭✭✭imme


    glaston wrote: »
    If you are refering to the pension levy then I disagree.

    The public sector pension system wasnt and still isnt sustainable (imo). Increased life expectancy, rediculously young retirement ages and guaranteed payouts being the problems, not the bankers.
    the age one retires at is determined on the age you start work, for majority of PS.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 361 ✭✭HollyB


    imme wrote: »
    the age one retires at is determined on the age you start work, for majority of PS.

    Not necessarily. In the Civil Service, the retirement age for recent entrants is 65, even if they enter before they turn 25. However, any years they work will not count towards their pension entitlement - they don't get an extra 1/80th of salary in their pension or an extra 3/80ths of salary in their lump sum for Year 41, Year 42, Year 43, etc, even though they'll still be paying superannuation and the pension levy.

    If somebody entered the Civil Service at age 18, they'd retire at 65 and they'd have to work 47 years for the same pension entitlement that somebody who joined at age 25 and worked for 40 years would get.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 45 wicklowmale


    I think enough has been said in response to jimd's thread.

    It would be niave to think that the private sector should be the sole brunt of serious paycuts or reduced working hours/days, redundancies etc.

    Can jimd tell us why we (private sector) should accept this?

    Over 200,000 are now claiming dole, not one person has been let go in the public sector.

    In addition i don't see the problem with ppl starting to hoard onto some money, its called saving and ppl used to do it in the past to save for a rainy day.

    The irish have become a very greedy nation over the last 20 yrs and lost a lot of the values that made ireland so famous and attractive.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 96 ✭✭PJW


    jimd2 wrote: »
    Question for all of ye that have suddenly come out of the woodwork.......


    Answered and OWNED.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,290 ✭✭✭dresden8


    It would be niave to think that the private sector should be the sole brunt of serious paycuts
    Can jimd tell us why we (private sector) should accept this?.


    Enough contrary evidence of this claim is in the public domain to show that this is a lie and people who propagate it are liars.

    Over 200,000 are now claiming dole, not one person has been let go in the public sector..

    Enough contrary evidence of this claim is in the public domain to show that this is a lie and people who propagate it are liars.

    The irish have become a very greedy nation over the last 20 yrs and lost a lot of the values that made ireland so famous and attractive.

    This at least is true.


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