Surprisingly high public support for yesterdays strikes

Liam79

I joined my wife and her colleagues for their picket action yesterday, 3 hours standing in the lashing rain. I was shocked and delighted at the amount of support they received from passing motorists. I had feared for them so i came to offer morale support but i need not have! They received huge support in the form of cheers, horns and well wishes from the passing public. And listening to the various Vox Pops on the various radio stations yesterday asking the general public for their view on the strikes it was about 60/40 in support.
So well done people of Ireland. I should never have lost faith.

kwinabeeste

Liam79 wrote: »

I joined my wife and her colleagues for their picket action yesterday, 3 hours standing in the lashing rain. I was shocked and delighted at the amount of support they received from passing motorists. I had feared for them so i came to offer morale support but i need not have! They received huge support in the form of cheers, horns and well wishes from the passing public. And listening to the various Vox Pops on the various radio stations yesterday asking the general public for their view on the strikes it was about 60/40 in support.
So well done people of Ireland. I should never have lost faith.

I passed 4 pickets yesterday and heard no support. I was stuck at lights at 3 of them and heard no one beep.

I heard from a friend who was striking that they got little beeps from cars except taxis and postmen - but thats hardly supprising?

ei.sdraob

i beeped alright but not in support

Dacelonid

I beeped, but my hand gestures would have made it clear I wasn't supporting them either

Diom

I heard of one out-pouring of emotion, and it was not the supportive kind.

seangal

got great support from the passing public but i would not expect to get it of most people who are on this as they are FF members

Liam79

anyone who beeps at a picket not realising that this is the accepted method of supporting then you have to laugh at them :rolleyes::D

gandalf

The only support seems to be from within their own ranks, anyone I know who is outside the PS is disgusted by the strikes. In reality there is very little support for this strike outside the PS and a significant minority within their ranks are against it as well.

ei.sdraob

seangal wrote: »

got great support from the passing public but i would not expect to get it of most people who are on this as they are FF members

:rolleyes: hahahaha oooohhhhhhhhh funny

Liam79 wrote: »

anyone who beeps at a picket not realising that this is the accepted method of supporting then you have to laugh at them :rolleyes::D

they can think whatever they want to think,
PS workers are already in their own little insulated bubble world


actually im all for them striking more, if they keep up this up for another few days thatll save the country alot of money

Liam79

gandalf wrote: »

The only support seems to be from within their own ranks, anyone I know who is outside the PS is disgusted by the strikes. In reality there is very little support for this strike outside the PS and from a significant minority within their ranks as well.

So how do you explain all the vox pops of private sector and unemployed people yesterday on RTE1, Newstalk and Today FM giving large support to the public sector pickets and the amount of people beeping horns and offering support yesterday?

murphaph

Liam79 wrote: »

So how do you explain all the vox pops of private sector and unemployed people yesterday on RTE1, Newstalk and Today FM giving large support to the public sector pickets and the amount of people beeping horns and offering support yesterday?

Spouse in the public sector. Media can report whatever they like Liam-if they interviewed 20 people and 5 supported the PS strike they can just play back those 5 and say 2 of the other 15 and hey presto-a bit of controversy (higher listenership!)

gandalf

Liam79 wrote: »

So how do you explain all the vox pops of private sector and unemployed people yesterday on RTE1, Newstalk and Today FM giving large support to the public sector pickets and the amount of people beeping horns and offering support yesterday?

And how do you explain the letters section of the Irish Times today where every letter about the Strike condemns it. The IT are normally balanced in cases like this yet they couldn't find suitable responses from the pro strike side. Newtalk this morning had widespread condemnation from people about the strike.

mike65

The support was a thankyou for the day off and the chance to go shopping.

wilson10

Saw a young woman on Primetime last night, I think she was a physiotherapist, being interviewed on the picket line.
She's on 55K and says she can't afford to take a hit. My heart bleeds for her.
My wife is hardworking and well qualified and out of work for 10 months.
If she was offered a job at half that money she would jump at it.
Some of these people have no idea what's happening in the country.

omega man

wilson10 wrote: »

Saw a young woman on Primetime last night, I think she was a physiotherapist, being interviewed on the picket line.
She's on 55K and says she can't afford to take a hit. My heart bleeds for her.
My wife is hardworking and well qualified and out of work for 10 months.
If she was offered a job at half that money she would jump at it.
Some of these people have no idea what's happening in the country.

Tell me about it. My family (wife + 2 kids) live on one income (50K) and we are doing ok for now, cant see what she was on about. Didnt a single guy earning 35K say he wouldnt be able to have kids in the future if he took a pay cut!! There are plenty of unemployed and highly qualified people out there who would only love to have those jobs.

Dannyboy83

I didn't hear one good word said about them.


That PrimeTime interview was a pisstake, spinal tap style, no other explanation.
"How can I be expected to live on €55K!?"
Oh lawd! The terror!

Jaysoose

wilson10 wrote: »

Saw a young woman on Primetime last night, I think she was a physiotherapist, being interviewed on the picket line.
She's on 55K and says she can't afford to take a hit. My heart bleeds for her.
My wife is hardworking and well qualified and out of work for 10 months.
If she was offered a job at half that money she would jump at it.
Some of these people have no idea what's happening in the country.

Was this one that was crying about her 'Massive mortgage' nobody forced her to buy an apartment.

Had to cringe at 'Shane' the civil servant on the same show, apparently he has had only one promotion in ten years and if there are any more cuts he cant afford to have kids???!! what the f*ck if you cant get your arse in gear and study or take the steps needed to get a promotion then thats your own fault for being a lazy sod nobody elses. I did have a tear in my eye when he said he couldnt afford to have kids if the cuts come....boo fricking hoo.

Gotta say the unions did more damage than good yesterday rolling out these examples of 'normal' people.

Also the teachers being told to strike at the department of education/goverment buildings is fair enough but they didnt bother to let any of the parents know this who then drove past their kids schools and saw no pickets?!! cmon that's just a bit stupid.

MaceFace

Was out and about a bit yesterday.
Didn't see or hear one beep at pickets in town (was listening for them).
I know no one who supports the strike outside the PS (and know a few in the PS who think its a joke).

I did see some people in support on the TV recently - they all seem to be grannies. God love them.

Sizzler

gandalf wrote: »

The only support seems to be from within their own ranks, anyone I know who is outside the PS is disgusted by the strikes. In reality there is very little support for this strike outside the PS and a significant minority within their ranks are against it as well.

Was speaking to a relation last night who works in a hospital. Ten people in their team, 3 of them pro-union, one of them a manager! The remaining 7 had no interest in striking and didnt agree but were told in no uncertain terms it would not be tolerated if they didnt do their stint on the picket yesterday. They were also told they had to do share the normal shift yesterday, 1.5 hours each unpaid as they worked in a hospital.

They felt bullied into this and had no interest or desire in supporting but yet ended on the picket. One example from hundreds of pickets yesterday. I'm sure there are countless others. The untold story imho is a few militant people in each branch leading the charge when amny grass roots workers just want to get on with it.

As regards support, I saw ZERO support yesterday in Dublin City centre. Passed Pearse St fire station in rush hour last night and not one car beeped.
On my way into work I passed 4 schools on main roads, not one car beeped.

Very easy to tune into a few horns beeping isnt it?

bridgitt

I saw plenty of picketers and strikers yesterday and nobody was beeping horns at them. In fact I saw one car speeding up and trying to splash water from a puddle on to the picketers ! There is a lot of anger at those in such secure well paid jobs with pensions intact, striking - even from some of those within the public service.

Liam79

wilson10 wrote: »

Saw a young woman on Primetime last night, I think she was a physiotherapist, being interviewed on the picket line.
She's on 55K and says she can't afford to take a hit. My heart bleeds for her.
My wife is hardworking and well qualified and out of work for 10 months.
If she was offered a job at half that money she would jump at it.
Some of these people have no idea what's happening in the country.

She was an embarassment alright
But what about the other chap on 31k, how come you ignored him??!!

Hootanany

Im glad it was Pissin Down

ei.sdraob

Liam79 wrote: »

She was an embarassment alright
But what about the other chap on 31k, how come you ignored him??!!

all that went thru my head when watching that


if he (and her) have it so bad then why dont they join the private sector?


oh wait ahahahahahhahahaaaa :P
yea taught so

meditraitor

"suprisingly high public support for yesterdays strikes"


No there wasnt!

gandalf

Sizzler wrote: »

Was speaking to a relation last night who works in a hospital. Ten people in their team, 3 of them pro-union, one of them a manager! The remaining 7 had no interest in striking and didnt agree but were told in no uncertain terms it would not be tolerated if they didnt do their stint on the picket yesterday. They were also told they had to do share the normal shift yesterday, 1.5 hours each unpaid as they worked in a hospital.

They felt bullied into this and had no interest or desire in supporting but yet ended on the picket. One example from hundreds of pickets yesterday. I'm sure there are countless others. The untold story imho is a few militant people in each branch leading the charge when amny grass roots workers just want to get on with it.

Well that is just disguisting. All the Union spiel of workers being bullied by the Government and they are doing it to the people they are supposed to be representing.

Liam79

gandalf wrote: »

Well that is just disguisting. All the Union spiel of workers being bullied by the Government and they are doing it to the people they are supposed to be representing.

So now you feel sorry for the lower paid PS worker :rolleyes:

Jumpy

Liam79 wrote: »

I joined my wife and her colleagues for their picket action yesterday, 3 hours standing in the lashing rain. I was shocked and delighted at the amount of support they received from passing motorists. I had feared for them so i came to offer morale support but i need not have! They received huge support in the form of cheers, horns and well wishes from the passing public. And listening to the various Vox Pops on the various radio stations yesterday asking the general public for their view on the strikes it was about 60/40 in support.
So well done people of Ireland. I should never have lost faith.

Haha! In your dreams.

bridgitt

Dannyboy83 wrote: »

I didn't hear one good word said about them.


That PrimeTime interview was a pisstake, spinal tap style, no other explanation.
"How can I be expected to live on €55K!?"
Oh lawd! The terror!

Shre was carefully picked to try to gather sympathy support for the public sector....the poor girl bought an apartment at the height of the market etc....ghow could she now live on only 55k etc
The other two people on prime time were carefully picked to be among the lowest paid public sector workers. Prime time beforehand asked us to listen to both sides of the argument with an open mind.....but there was nobody else. The average salary ( of the 3 ) quoted / shown was well below the statistical public sector average. RTE propoganda.

To The North

Sizzler wrote: »

Was speaking to a relation last night who works in a hospital. Ten people in their team, 3 of them pro-union, one of them a manager! The remaining 7 had no interest in striking and didnt agree but were told in no uncertain terms it would not be tolerated if they didnt do their stint on the picket yesterday. They were also told they had to do share the normal shift yesterday, 1.5 hours each unpaid as they worked in a hospital.

They felt bullied into this and had no interest or desire in supporting but yet ended on the picket. One example from hundreds of pickets yesterday. I'm sure there are countless others. The untold story imho is a few militant people in each branch leading the charge when amny grass roots workers just want to get on with it.

As regards support, I saw ZERO support yesterday in Dublin City centre. Passed Pearse St fire station in rush hour last night and not one car beeped.
On my way into work I passed 4 schools on main roads, not one car beeped.

Very easy to tune into a few horns beeping isnt it?

if you join a union then you're expected to take part in union activities, so it's pretty much tough if the vote didn't go in their favour. if they have such a serious problem with it then they should leave their union and report any staff who bully them to both their own workplace and the union.

i was picketing in dublin city centre for 3 hours yesterday and was surprised by the huge amount of support and not one single person who gave abuse.

00sully

didn't see/hear any support in pickets passed in town, on my way to town on my way home from town.

only support the ps strike got was from other ps workers. hardly surprising. I'd say they had ZERO support from non public sector.

murphaph

Liam79 wrote: »

She was an embarassment alright
But what about the other chap on 31k, how come you ignored him??!!

Cos 31k isn't bad money either?

ei.sdraob

Hootanany wrote: »

Im glad it was Pissin Down

didnt people in Athlone council (west meath?) kept striking while their city is flooding?

ei.sdraob

murphaph wrote: »

Cos 31k isn't bad money either?

when coupled with a secure job and cushy pension it certainly aint bad at all

Hootanany

My Heart Bleeds for them NOT

gandalf

Liam79 wrote: »

So now you feel sorry for the lower paid PS worker :rolleyes:

Depends what you classify as a lower paid worker.

The majority of those interviewed that I have seen are certainly not low paid.

I feel for people like those described above, bullied into a day of action by a minority of militants.

P. Breathnach

bridgitt wrote: »

Shre was carefully picked to try to gather sympathy support for the public sector....the poor girl bought an apartment at the height of the market etc....ghow could she now live on only 55k etc
The other two people on prime time were carefully picked to be among the lowest paid public sector workers. Prime time beforehand asked us to listen to both sides of the argument with an open mind.....but there was nobody else. The average salary ( of the 3 ) quoted / shown was well below the statistical public sector average. RTE propoganda.

Has jimmmy been banned?

Sizzler

As for the c.€30k workers. Chap texted newstalk this morning and said he was on the bottom rung of the public service ladder on 28k a year and said he was disgusted with the strikes yesterday, had no interest but couldnt work yesterday because of the unions.He said the majority of his colleagues on similar pay scales just want to "get on with it".

seangal

ei.sdraob wrote: »

:rolleyes: hahahaha oooohhhhhhhhh funny



they can think whatever they want to think,
PS workers are already in their own little insulated bubble world


actually im all for them striking more, if they keep up this up for another few days thatll save the country alot of money

The might have saved 50 million by not paying us but it cost the county around 400 million and you want more strikes
Grow up man

Amhran Nua

Nobody among the people I have spoken to (and thats quite a lot) support the strike, rather I'm getting the feeling of a riptide of anger just below the surface for many. Indeed, even public sector workers themselves don't appear to support the pickets:

'Every teacher in Ireland is here' as tills ring out

The tills were ringing north of the border as southern shoppers, including droves of striking public servants, used the national day of action to migrate in search of a bargain.

When they finally managed to extricate themselves from the massive traffic jam on the motorway, shopping centre car parks in Newry were filled with southern registration plates.

The Quays Shopping Centre, the first opportunity for southerners to part themselves from their cash, was full of parents leading their bored-looking children round the shops. Most youngsters had probably hoped to be spending their windfall day off rather differently.

In Sainsburys, trolleys heaved under slabs of beer and boxes of wine. Even a child's pushchair, now minus its occupant, became a repository for bottles of gin, vodka and rum.

"Look at the crowds," said one woman in a distinctive southern lilt.

"Sure every teacher in Ireland is here," replied her friend, somewhat uncharitably.

Queues for the checkouts snaked down the aisles, with many of the first-timers making a rookie mistake by joining the lines nearest to the drinks section, which are always the longest.

Student Pauline Burke from Lucan in Dublin was making her first foray north of the border thanks to the national day of action.

"I had no classes because of the strike so I thought I'd come up and have a look.

Tigerbaby

I have to feel sorry for those who are agitated against the Public Servants. You have been manipulated by the vested interests of Government, the entire Banking system, ISME, IBEC, several large Media outlets. Your job as useful(less?) idiots is to foist this dissension and division among *all* PAYE workers. You have been primed to hit out at whatever soft and available target is within the short range of your sights ( Public Servants, Thierry Henry,... whatever ). Your mission ( though you dont know it ) is to deflect and distract the identification of the real perpetrators of the THEFT and FRAUD of our Nation.

When are you going to wake up and see that the Public Service is not the problem. The Public service did not create the economic situation in which all taxpayers find themselves. You should be grateful to the PS Unions and their members who are WITHOUT PAY for yesterdays action. They, at least, are the ones who are drawing a line in the sand against the Government, Builders and Bankers. The PS employee did not gain from the largesse of the Celtic Tiger years. They werent the "breakfast roll" man who, like a supermodel, wouldnt get out of bed for less than 10 grand. They werent the Banks, developers, estate agents, building societies etc who talked up this horrific bubble, which is now spewing its escaping poisonous gasses onto the Nation. If you are going to expend your bile and anger, and we all should be very angry, then at least find the real criminals.

In conclusion, please wake up and see that you are victims of a giant scam. Now, Hold onto your anger for election time. Because the real answer is in the overthrow of this shambolic economic system and government. Dont waste your anger by attacking normal people who have already suffered 15-20% pay cuts in the last year.

I am old enough to remember the last time that the Nation suffered. I understand the anger that many of you are expressing. But please, I ask you to stand back and look and look again. Hold onto your anger. dont waste it in attacking innocent people. HOld onto your anger, but think cold and hard. HOLD ONTO YOUR ANGER, and wait for election time.

The PAYE worker will get nothing out of the division that is being sowed. Search for the Guilty, and punish them !

Those of you who genuinely seek a better way will take this message to your hearts and minds. Those of you who are Thatchers Children will doubtless respond with spitting fury. Would the real people of Ireland please stand up.

ei.sdraob

seangal wrote: »

The might have saved 50 million by not paying us but it cost the county around 400 million and you want more strikes
Grow up man

400 million?? source?

jesus yee "union"-ists sound like a bunch of terrorists holding the country ransom

no wonder theres no love for your "class"

irish_bob

Liam79 wrote: »

I joined my wife and her colleagues for their picket action yesterday, 3 hours standing in the lashing rain. I was shocked and delighted at the amount of support they received from passing motorists. I had feared for them so i came to offer morale support but i need not have! They received huge support in the form of cheers, horns and well wishes from the passing public. And listening to the various Vox Pops on the various radio stations yesterday asking the general public for their view on the strikes it was about 60/40 in support.
So well done people of Ireland. I should never have lost faith.

on a superficial level , irish people tend to support what they see as anti goverment stances , we have a very strong anti authoritarian streak in this country and tend to support what we see as STICKIN IT TO THE MAN

i myself feel hopeless when i see such mindless support for what are a bunch of cossetted individuals demanding they be shielded from the effects of the rescession regardless of the cost to everyone else

seangal

ei.sdraob wrote: »

400 million?? source?

jesus yee "union"-ists sound like a bunch of terrorists holding the country ransom

no wonder theres no love for your "class"

And what class are you??????????
It came from IBEC spokeperson yesterday that it would cost the country around 400 million

Tigerbaby

Tigerbaby wrote: »

I have to feel sorry for those who are agitated against the Public Servants. You have been manipulated by the vested interests of Government, the entire Banking system, ISME, IBEC, several large Media outlets. Your job as useful(less?) idiots is to foist this dissension and division among *all* PAYE workers. You have been primed to hit out at whatever soft and available target is within the short range of your sights ( Public Servants, Thierry Henry,... whatever ). Your mission ( though you dont know it ) is to deflect and distract the identification of the real perpetrators of the THEFT and FRAUD of our Nation.

When are you going to wake up and see that the Public Service is not the problem. The Public service did not create the economic situation in which all taxpayers find themselves. You should be grateful to the PS Unions and their members who are WITHOUT PAY for yesterdays action. They, at least, are the ones who are drawing a line in the sand against the Government, Builders and Bankers. The PS employee did not gain from the largesse of the Celtic Tiger years. They werent the "breakfast roll" man who, like a supermodel, wouldnt get out of bed for less than 10 grand. They werent the Banks, developers, estate agents, building societies etc who talked up this horrific bubble, which is now spewing its escaping poisonous gasses onto the Nation. If you are going to expend your bile and anger, and we all should be very angry, then at least find the real criminals.

In conclusion, please wake up and see that you are victims of a giant scam. Now, Hold onto your anger for election time. Because the real answer is in the overthrow of this shambolic economic system and government. Dont waste your anger by attacking normal people who have already suffered 15-20% pay cuts in the last year.

Bull.
If it can't be paid for then it goes.Simple.
If it's not efficient then make it efficient-not so simple without sackings.

I am old enough to remember the last time that the Nation suffered. I understand the anger that many of you are expressing. But please, I ask you to stand back and look and look again. Hold onto your anger. dont waste it in attacking innocent people. HOld onto your anger, but think cold and hard. HOLD ONTO YOUR ANGER, and wait for election time.

Oh yeah...wait 3 years borrowing 500 million a week...
Your logic is astounding.
Incidentally have you heard Fine Gaels opinion on bloat in the public services? You wouldn't like it..

As for your memory of the last big recession in the 80's...do you remember the very high taxes that destroyed incentives and caused 100's of 1000's to emigrate? Oh and the huge escalating borrowings that brought thta on because ...well governments didn't grasp the nettle in time.

The IMF will.

The PAYE worker will get nothing out of the division that is being sowed. Search for the Guilty, and punish them !

Those of you who genuinely seek a better way will take this message to your hearts and minds. Those of you who are Thatchers Children will doubtless respond with spitting fury. Would the real people of Ireland please stand up.

Lol at the superfluous waffle.

akaredtop

She probably has a nice life with 3 or 4 foreign holidays every year and does'nt want anyone to upset it.

Amhran Nua

Tigerbaby wrote: »

When are you going to wake up and see that the Public Service is not the problem. The Public service did not create the economic situation in which all taxpayers find themselves.

Is the financial regulator in the public sector?

Tigerbaby wrote: »

They werent the Banks, developers, estate agents, building societies etc who talked up this horrific bubble, which is now spewing its escaping poisonous gasses onto the Nation.

Em, then how is it that the union line is that public sector wages shouldn't be cut because of all the mortgages they need to pay? Secure government jobs were very attractive to banks during the boom years.

Tigerbaby wrote: »

The PS employee did not gain from the largesse of the Celtic Tiger years.

Sure they did. Whats the public pay bill today as opposed to in 2001?

irish_bob

P. Breathnach wrote: »

Has jimmmy been banned?

yeah , he got a two week stint in the can for expressing an opinion

irish_bob

Tigerbaby wrote: »

I have to feel sorry for those who are agitated against the Public Servants. You have been manipulated by the vested interests of Government, the entire Banking system, ISME, IBEC, several large Media outlets. Your job as useful(less?) idiots is to foist this dissension and division among *all* PAYE workers. You have been primed to hit out at whatever soft and available target is within the short range of your sights ( Public Servants, Thierry Henry,... whatever ). Your mission ( though you dont know it ) is to deflect and distract the identification of the real perpetrators of the THEFT and FRAUD of our Nation.

When are you going to wake up and see that the Public Service is not the problem. The Public service did not create the economic situation in which all taxpayers find themselves. You should be grateful to the PS Unions and their members who are WITHOUT PAY for yesterdays action. They, at least, are the ones who are drawing a line in the sand against the Government, Builders and Bankers. The PS employee did not gain from the largesse of the Celtic Tiger years. They werent the "breakfast roll" man who, like a supermodel, wouldnt get out of bed for less than 10 grand. They werent the Banks, developers, estate agents, building societies etc who talked up this horrific bubble, which is now spewing its escaping poisonous gasses onto the Nation. If you are going to expend your bile and anger, and we all should be very angry, then at least find the real criminals.

In conclusion, please wake up and see that you are victims of a giant scam. Now, Hold onto your anger for election time. Because the real answer is in the overthrow of this shambolic economic system and government. Dont waste your anger by attacking normal people who have already suffered 15-20% pay cuts in the last year.

I am old enough to remember the last time that the Nation suffered. I understand the anger that many of you are expressing. But please, I ask you to stand back and look and look again. Hold onto your anger. dont waste it in attacking innocent people. HOld onto your anger, but think cold and hard. HOLD ONTO YOUR ANGER, and wait for election time.

The PAYE worker will get nothing out of the division that is being sowed. Search for the Guilty, and punish them !

Those of you who genuinely seek a better way will take this message to your hearts and minds. Those of you who are Thatchers Children will doubtless respond with spitting fury. Would the real people of Ireland please stand up.

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

ei.sdraob

seangal wrote: »

And what class are you??????????
It came from IBEC spokeperson yesterday that it would cost the country around 400 million

the class thats getting shafted up the arse to pay your (higher) wages

the class that doesnt get to strike because some of us live in real world

brianthebard

meditraitor wrote: »

"suprisingly high public support for yesterdays strikes"


No there wasnt!

Poll to prove this?

I'd say there's much higher support for the strikes than boards would lead us to believe. Its just that those who are against the strikes shout the loudest here.

ei.sdraob

brianthebard wrote: »

Poll to prove this?

I'd say there's much higher support for the strikes than boards would lead us to believe. Its just that those who are against the strikes shout the loudest here.

could it be that people on boards are more information savvy

and hence can see the big picture

the picture in which a huge hole is being dug by ginarmous government expenditure and debt