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public sector unions want our support

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Comments

  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 28 INSCOPE


    On the same page half of the Irish companies will be introducing pay freezes.

    http://www.independent.ie/business/irish/half-of-all-irish-companies-plan-pay-freezes-next-year-1974676.html


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,800 ✭✭✭Senna


    The Unions are loosing their support and trying to gain it elsewhere.
    I hope their disgraceful lack of negotiations and protectionism for the higher paid and longer serving staff is their undoing.


  • Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 2,043 ✭✭✭me_right_one


    OP YOU are in touch, the unions are out of touch. More strikes? Yea, that'll help everybody:rolleyes:


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 338 ✭✭33% God


    The unions are there primarily to campaign on behalf of their members. They must ballot their members on any proposals, If their members vote to take action then the union will do so, if they vote not to then the union will not.
    If no-one supports this action then it won't go ahead.


  • Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 2,043 ✭✭✭me_right_one


    33% God wrote: »
    The unions are there primarily to campaign on behalf of their members. They must ballot their members on any proposals, If their members vote to take action then the union will do so, if they vote not to then the union will not.
    If no-one supports this action then it won't go ahead.


    All true. But union leaders always try to convince members to vote to meet their greedy ends. They're absolutely no better than the bankers, they're in the same league. And most members listen to their leaders, and even those who don't usually vote with the crowd. Once upon a time, union leaders striked to get equality and fairness. Now its all about getting as much money as you can:mad:


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 15,914 ✭✭✭✭tbh


    soups05 wrote: »

    "UNION leaders plan to get private sector workers on board for a disruptive campaign of industrial action after public servants suffered a €1bn pay cut."


    hahahahahahahahhahahahahahahahahhahahhahaa.a..........ahhhhhh....


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 19,106 ✭✭✭✭TestTransmission


    2 words

    **** em


  • Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators, Regional South East Moderators Posts: 28,536 Mod ✭✭✭✭Cabaal


    I for one will not support them in any way shape or form, I know of nobody in the public sector who has lost their job in the past 18 months with the exception of contracts that were not renewed which is not the same thing as it would have happened in the "good times".

    Where as I've lost count of those in the private sector who have lost their jobs, had pay cut, had hours cut etc, these same people did not make millions during the good times and yet they have no job security and don't know if they'll have their job this time next month.

    By striking these idiots will put off any foreign investment in this country and set back any chance we have of getting out of a recession, if the ESB start striking then we might as well move back to the power cuts in the 80's....

    Any IT company’s that run operations in Ireland will not want power cuts and any that are affected will think twice about keeping operations in Ireland and rightly so I wouldn't blame them one bit and in the end if all this happens I won't blame the government the government has no choice in this at this stage, it must make hard decisions or the country sinks.

    Think of government as a company:
    - Company’s make good and bad choices depending on the management in charge
    - If a company runs into money problems what do they do?, well they have pretty much three choices:
    - Increases product prices (increases tax's)
    - Cut pay
    - Cut jobs

    Now as with any company you can only increase the selling price of your product before consumer will not buy it....same goes for tax's.

    So this leaves you with job cuts or wage cuts, the unions will not on any level except job cuts so that leaves wage cuts.

    Now the fact the unions suggested taking unpaid leave as a cost saving messure seems insane to me, if a company can afford to give unpaid leave to a high percentage of its workforce but still provide the same product/services this means it is overstaffed.....the same goes for the public sector!

    Now people will blame the current government and perhaps they did make mistakes (I’m not getting into that debate in this post) but playing the blame game does not unfortunately sort our present situation and regardless of what government is in power ****e decisions have to be made to sort out this mess.

    Nobody likes these decisions including me but what have very limited options.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,442 ✭✭✭Bandit12


    They'll be getting my full support


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 774 ✭✭✭PoleStar


    Cabaal wrote: »
    Where as I've lost count of those in the private sector who have lost their jobs, had pay cut, had hours cut etc, these same people did not make millions during the good times and yet they have no job security and don't know if they'll have their job this time next month.

    Is this a fact you can back up?

    Frequently quotes like this were made anecdotally.

    However the FACTS are that only 1 in 7 private companies have cut the salaries of their workers (check Irish Independent amongst others).

    Now you might say "well what about those in the private sector that lost their jobs".

    Again this argument is irrelevant to the public sector pay cuts because they are no longer in the discussion regarding pay rates. And in fact, they might have as much gripe with the private sector workers who still have jobs and havent taken pay cuts.

    Example, Dell workers in Limerick lost their jobs. The company directors had previously negotiated with them to reduce salaries to save jobs and retain work in Ireland. The workers said "No way" and thus they had no option but to relocate elswhere.

    We here again and again about the private sector workers cutting pay. Some of the banks who caused the mess are giving pay rises. How might a public sector worker feel about taking a pay cut and yet have to pay money to the insitutions that actually caused this mess so that they can give a pay rise.

    I guess my bottom line is that everyone has taken a hit in the recession. Whether or not public sector workers get paid more is irrelevant. Peoples outgoings are based on their income so no matter what you earn (obviosuly within reason), a pay cut is a pay cut and thus it makes it harder to get by.


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  • Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators, Regional South East Moderators Posts: 28,536 Mod ✭✭✭✭Cabaal


    PoleStar wrote: »
    Is this a fact you can back up?

    Frequently quotes like this were made anecdotally.

    Atleats quote me correctly when you try to poke at my post I said...
    I know of nobody in the public sector who has lost their job in the past 18 months with the exception of contracts that were not renewed which is not the same thing as it would have happened in the "good times".

    Where as I've lost count of those in the private sector who have lost their jobs, had pay cut, had hours cut etc, these same people did not make millions during the good times and yet they have no job security and don't know if they'll have their job this time next month.

    It is evident this is my personal view based on my experinces with people I know in both sectors in different parts of the country as the "I know" part refers to both sectors :D
    I guess my bottom line is that everyone has taken a hit in the recession. Whether or not public sector workers get paid more is irrelevant. Peoples outgoings are based on their income so no matter what you earn (obviosuly within reason), a pay cut is a pay cut and thus it makes it harder to get by.

    I'd agree a pay cut is a pay cut is a pay cut, it sucks no matter what but if me taking a 5% pay cut meant I'd have a job I'd take it, the problem is that the public sector know they won't loose their job so they'lll fight any paycut.....the unions won't allow the jobs to go.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,478 ✭✭✭magick


    tbh wrote: »
    hahahahahahahahhahahahahahahahahhahahhahaa.a..........ahhhhhh....

    & to add to that ahahahahahah

    No ............. let them live in the real world for once


  • Moderators, Regional North East Moderators Posts: 12,739 Mod ✭✭✭✭cournioni


    Ireland... Possibly one of the greediest nations in the world.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 3,591 ✭✭✭RATM


    Divide et Impera


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 117 ✭✭zoemax


    Ireland... Possibly one of the greediest nations in the world.

    Ireland... Possibly the biggest nation of begrudgers in the world.


  • Moderators, Regional North East Moderators Posts: 12,739 Mod ✭✭✭✭cournioni


    zoemax wrote: »
    Ireland... Possibly the biggest nation of begrudgers in the world.
    That too.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 8,015 ✭✭✭CreepingDeath


    soups05 wrote: »
    "UNION leaders plan to get private sector workers on board for a disruptive campaign of industrial action after public servants suffered a €1bn pay cut."

    The private sector workers haven't the time, we're working too hard carrying those greedy, lazy, incompetent shites who have an over-inflated sense of entitlement.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,086 ✭✭✭soups05


    I guess I kinda expect this to be a ps abuse thread but what i was hoping for was more of a debate about the union leaders themselves. Why can they not see sense and talk to thier membership about accepting the cuts.

    they try to say that the private sector in the form of IBEC is waiting to cut our pay. where were the unions when my pay was cut earlier this year, same place they where when my hours got cut back 2 months later.

    the unions dont give a stuff about the private sector they simply want to protect thier public sector pay rates. I dont really blame the workers because no one really wants to take a cut.

    but its hard to feel sorry for some, like that 20 something year old ps on the news "struggling" on "just €55,000 a year" thats 3 times what i was getting before i was cut. :mad:


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,749 ✭✭✭✭wes


    I have sympathy for the public service employees, but I won't be risking my job to save there pay, and I wouldn't expect them to do so for me either.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 987 ✭✭✭diverdriver


    Is this a fact you can back up?

    Frequently quotes like this were made anecdotally.

    However the FACTS are that only 1 in 7 private companies have cut the salaries of their workers (check Irish Independent amongst others).
    Polestar are you living in a bubble? Are you so out of touch with the reality of the situation that you think that the 'fact' that only 1 in 7 of private companies have cut the the salaries of their workers actually reflects the reality of the situation out there? Hasn't it occured to you that many companies don't cut the pay of their workers for the simple reason that they were never well paid in the first place. Or pay was cut for the remaining workers, those that remain after making others redundant?

    Let me give you some non anecdotal facts that I personally am aware of partly in my own family and partly elsewhere. My sister and her husband had a thriving Architects practice, he employed 20 to 30 people. He's now down to one, has had to close his office and is now living off the money he saved in the good times and the last few jobs in his book, waiting for a change in the economy. That's a fact!

    My other brother in law is on a three day week, that's not a pay cut is it? He's lucky. The company closed several outlying branches. No, they didn't get a pay cut either. They just lost their jobs.

    Another brother in law is an electrician, basically it's just him and the boss left on the books now from dozens. He didn't take a pay cut but his income is down because there is less work out there. None of the former workers took pay cuts either, mainly because they are on the dole.

    A friend of mine, she didn't take a pay cut either but then she was only on €450 a week before tax, (that's after ten years in the job) She also lost her second job. None of her colleagues took a pay cut either but they were never exactly well paid but now their hours have been changed so they work longer hours for the same money. Overtime is gone as well and production lines have been shut down. No pay cut?

    I didn't take a pay cut either but then I'm self employed and only made enough money this year to cover some of my bills. On top of which, I haven't made any money since October and won't make any until January. Happy Christmas to me!

    Meanwhile the unions want all the above people to support them in their safe comfortable pensionable jobs!

    Dream on!

    Meanwhile on the other side, my public service friends and relatives, haven't had their hours cut, haven't lost their jobs or their pensions. They have now taken pay cuts. Fortunately most of them are well paid and all except two of them are realistic enough to know that it has to happen. The two are a married couple with what I call 'hobby jobs' in that they would probably do the same thing for free and lucked into the handiest jobs in the world. They complain bitterly even though the effect on their lifestyle is precisely nil. I've lost all respect for them.

    None of these are anecdotal. Of course I could be making it all up but short of introducing you to my friends and family I cannot prove it. But you can find out yourself, get out of your bubble for five minutes and you'll see reality all around you.


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 11,001 ✭✭✭✭opinion guy


    Yeah forget the public sector.

    Semi-states for pay cuts anyone ? Not all of them. Don't think those under 30k should get cut (nor should the PSers under 30k). But come-on fair is fair if public sector get smacked semi-states shoudl too


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,246 ✭✭✭✭Riamfada


    Damn commie nazis


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,227 ✭✭✭Thinkingaboutit


    After dealing with people of the HSE and the Dept of Social Welfare, my attitude is one of profound dislike. I hope the IMF comes in and sacks one third of them. They are, they must be, following some form of unofficial work to rule to get more staff. Twice the work could be done with half the staff in any other sector. Well, they don't have my support anyhow.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 24,230 ✭✭✭✭ejmaztec


    PoleStar wrote: »
    However the FACTS are that only 1 in 7 private companies have cut the salaries of their workers (check Irish Independent amongst others).

    1 in 7 private companies have reduced salaries, and the other 6 have gone bust.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,749 ✭✭✭✭wes


    After dealing with people of the HSE and the Dept of Social Welfare, my attitude is one of profound dislike. I hope the IMF comes in and sacks one third of them. They are, they must be, following some form of unofficial work to rule to get more staff. Twice the work could be done with half the staff in any other sector. Well, they don't have my support anyhow.

    Oh dear, you don't want the IMF in this country. They will make things a lot worse.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 28,789 ✭✭✭✭ScumLord


    I say just give them everything they want, we're doomed anyway this way we'll have someone to blame when FF do legger.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,745 ✭✭✭laugh


    PoleStar wrote: »

    Again this argument is irrelevant to the public sector pay cuts because they are no longer in the discussion regarding pay rates.

    This is the most rubbish I have ever read in one sentence, people laid off, hundreds of thousands of them have had a 100% paycut and when comparing the public service to private sector that MUST be taken into account. It is my opinion that between redundancies, shortened working hours and pay cuts the private sector on the whole has taken a 30-40% paycut. No pay rise to the public service is ever possible unless the private sector generate that money.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 11,001 ✭✭✭✭opinion guy


    After dealing with people of the HSE and the Dept of Social Welfare, my attitude is one of profound dislike. I hope the IMF comes in and sacks one third of them. They are, they must be, following some form of unofficial work to rule to get more staff. Twice the work could be done with half the staff in any other sector. Well, they don't have my support anyhow.

    How many times....

    The IMF have said they are not remotely worried about having to come in here. Aside from that they don't come in unless invited. Aside from that we are in the EU and they are the ones who would come in and so far we are managing without them.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,379 ✭✭✭toiletduck


    soups05 wrote: »
    would you support a move to help the public sector get thier pay cut reversed?

    Absolutely not.


    Sucks and all for them, but what's the alternative? 12 days leave 'temporarily'... now that I would have angry about if it had got through :pac:

    They want to strike? Fine, let them dig their own graves.


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  • Posts: 5,869 ✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    Retarded thread is retarded.

    Too much horsesh1t being spouted by people on both sides. Its like a playground squabble or something. People contradicting themselves all over the shop. The country is in an even worse state than i thought if this is representative of our nations intellect.

    I keep telling myself that i'm finished with these PS threads but i can't help it. Its like rubbernecking at a 50 car pile up, the lulz just keep coming thick and fast.

    I mean.....
    Let me give you some non anecdotal facts that I personally am aware of partly in my own family and partly elsewhere. My sister and her husband..........My other brother in law.........Another brother in law......A friend of mine.......my public service friends and relatives,....None of these are anecdotal....

    You need to look up the term anecdotal. Seriously.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 11,909 ✭✭✭✭Wertz


    The IMF are going to be too busy dealing with Greece for the next couple of months to bother with us...and this budget may have postponed their possibe arrival for a couple of years.

    As for supporting PS Unions?
    Why yes, of course, in the new year I'm instigating a strict work to rule policy in my company...the rule being that I cut my own labour costs to the point where if I manage to work half the year in 2010 (an improvement on 09) I might just make more than someone on unemployment assitance, before I pay the taxman. That's if I can even manage to get some fresh work on the books.

    We're all in this together, comrades...stoke the brazier, pass the champage.
    F*ck right off tbh.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,861 ✭✭✭RobbieTheRobber



    None of these are anecdotal. Of course I could be making it all up but short of introducing you to my friends and family I cannot prove it. But you can find out yourself, get out of your bubble for five minutes and you'll see reality all around you.


    they are very much anecdotal :rolleyes::rolleyes:
    anecdotal [ˌænɛkˈdəʊtəl]
    adj
    containing or consisting exclusively of anecdotes rather than connected discourse or research conducted under controlled conditions


    1. also an·ec·dot·ic (-dtk) or an·ec·dot·i·cal (--kl) Of, characterized by, or full of anecdotes.
    2. Based on casual observations or indications rather than rigorous or scientific analysis:



    i have a friend who works in the public sector since the pay cuts each member of his family has lost 20% of their body weight these pay cuts cant go on.

    See we can all make anecdotes, but short of introducing you to this man and his family i cant prove what a crock of **** my story is :rolleyes:


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,001 ✭✭✭Royal Seahawk


    The vast majority of people who give out about public service employees are just jealous, simple as that.
    They'll moan all day about them but they'd secretly give their right arms to be working in the public sector.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 6,228 ✭✭✭epgc3fyqirnbsx


    The vast majority of people who give out about public service employees are just jealous, simple as that.
    They'll moan all day about them but they'd secretly give their right arms to be working in the public sector.

    Too right, I'd love one of those jobs so if anyone there doesn't like there job or 'terms of employment' at the moment then kindly f off and give your job to me

    If anyone wants to strike then let them, it wont take to long for them to get tired


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,430 ✭✭✭positron


    I have a degree and a decades experience in software industry in private sector. I am willing to take a 20% pay-cut for a similar role in public sector - any public sector bosses listening? And I promise never to join and unions or never to strike, ever!


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,602 ✭✭✭Funkfield


    positron wrote: »
    I have a degree and a decades experience in software industry in private sector. I am willing to take a 20% pay-cut for a similar role in public sector - any public sector bosses listening? And I promise never to join and unions or never to strike, ever!

    Of course you would...now.

    Where were you when they held the open competitions for the civil service in 2001?

    Everyone had the opportunity to apply for a job then.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,326 ✭✭✭pretty*monster


    Funkfield wrote: »
    Of course you would...now.

    Where were you when they held the open competitions for the civil service in 2001?

    Everyone had the opportunity to apply for a job then.

    I was just about to ask this.

    Back when things were rosey one was thought a bit of an eejit for working for a faily modest salary public sector when there was money to be made hand over fist in the private sector.

    One of the reason's the public sector are so pissed off now is that a lot of them believed on some level (rightly or wrongly) that they had a deal that in exchange for not getting rich when the country was gong through a boom that their jobs and their standard of living were secure when the going got rough.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 540 ✭✭✭spareman


    The vast majority of people who give out about public service employees are just jealous, simple as that.
    They'll moan all day about them but they'd secretly give their right arms to be working in the public sector.
    Agree 110% Ireland is a nation of begrudgers, as we all know.

    I work in a semi state company (as you can see from my sig), Im also a qualified tradesperson, I took this Job 6 years ago, when Dublin bus were crying out for staff. I left my trade and took a 50% paycut in favour of a secure Job with pension etc.

    Many of my mates tought I was mad, I had a young family at the time and knew my industry would not last till I was 65, I was never really interested in making lots of money, I just wanted enough to pay the bills, and have a comfortabe house, decent car and a nice family holiday each year.

    Meanwhile my mates were running amok with flashy cars, buying big houses, luxury holidays to all sorts of exotic destinations, partying every weekend, and shoving all sorts of stuff up there noses, For the last 6 years Ive kept thinking I was wrong to take this job, but now I know I done the right thing.

    Id say over the last 6 years Im down roughly €200k in earnings compared to someone who has worked in my trade, Now my mates have all lost there Jobs bar a day here and there, and Ive already watched one of them lose his house and nearly his family, the others arent far behind.

    While I feel extreamly sorry for them and its heart renching to see them going through hell, I don't see why I should now fit the bill for their good times, as we stand today they have earned 200k more than me in the last 6 years. Why should I have to make cuts in my household because of other peoples spending? I dont see why I should have to cancel my family holiday to bail out the banks because developers can't repay loans.

    I wouldn't mind if I tought the money was going to actually help someone who is losing there home, buts it's not, its to pay back property developer loans and look after bank shareholders.

    And to be perfectly honest Id much rather the IMF came in and ran the country, because I don't trust the people who are running the country at the moment, They dont care about people, as seen with the recent floods and the lousy €10m package compare that to the €200m package for the pork business after the pig scare. They are more interested in bailing out banks then looking after people who are losing there homes. They should have paid peoples mortgages as a way of bailing out banks.
    Rant over!!


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


    soups05 wrote: »
    i was just catching up on the day's news when i read this on independant.ie

    "UNION leaders plan to get private sector workers on board for a disruptive campaign of industrial action after public servants suffered a €1bn pay cut."
    In the thread title OP you say "Public Sector Unions Want Our Support", in your Opening Post OP you quote the Irish Independent newspaper as reporting just plain old "Union Leaders...".
    Is this intended?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,749 ✭✭✭✭wes


    spareman wrote: »
    And to be perfectly honest Id much rather the IMF came in and ran the country, because I don't trust the people who are running the country at the moment, They dont care about people, as seen with the recent floods and the lousy €10m package compare that to the €200m package for the pork business after the pig scare. They are more interested in bailing out banks then looking after people who are losing there homes. They should have paid peoples mortgages as a way of bailing out banks.
    Rant over!!

    The IMF care even less btw, they don't have to go for re-election.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 28,789 ✭✭✭✭ScumLord


    spareman wrote: »
    Agree 110% Ireland is a nation of begrudgers, as we all know.

    I work in a semi state company (as you can see from my sig),
    Your sig don't work properly on my end, typical semi-state crowd. :rolleyes::pac:


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 6,228 ✭✭✭epgc3fyqirnbsx


    I was just about to ask this.

    Back when things were rosey one was thought a bit of an eejit for working for a faily modest salary public sector when there was money to be made hand over fist in the private sector.

    One of the reason's the public sector are so pissed off now is that a lot of them believed on some level (rightly or wrongly) that they had a deal that in exchange for not getting rich when the country was gong through a boom that their jobs and their standard of living were secure when the going got rough.

    I have heard this said countless times and I really don't think anyone was thought if as an eejit for being in the public sector. There seems to be some sort of inferiority complex on this point, that or its being brought up as a justification for refusing to budge
    The pay was never that bad, conditions were excellent ie, job security, holidays and pensions.
    That argument that the rest of the country made a mint while we didn't applies only for big business owners, builders, some lawyers and of course public body heads


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 29,346 ✭✭✭✭homerjay2005


    public sector have no sympathy from me, by in large, they are the most over paid in europe and thats not bulls*it, that is fact. i know mates that started on 20K more than me when we left college, cos they knew somebody who worked in the civil service and got a nice cushy number.

    its the nurses and gardai i feel for, i dont think they should be touched, but thats the way it is. most of the others, i have no sympathy for, cos they sit in the offices, go in at 9.45 and leave at 3.45 and do nothing all day cos their union says they dont have to work hard.

    they saw the cushy life, got greedy, expected to be on about 6 or 7,000 more now than what they are, drive cars they cant afford and live in houses they also cant afford and now they realise that things will get tough for them.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 987 ✭✭✭diverdriver


    You need to look up the term anecdotal. Seriously.
    they are very much anecdotal rolleyes.gifrolleyes.gif
    I'm actually quite annoyed. Let me introduce to the term sophistry:
    sophistry:
    1.a subtle, tricky, superficially plausible, but generally fallacious method of reasoning.

    I'm perfectly aware of what anecdotal means. These aren't stories I've heard. They are the cold hard reality of people around me, which is precisely the point I was making. In the same way that everyone will have real examples in their own lives. Except you two apparently. You just like to play clever word games seemingly oblivious to the reality around you.

    I wonder why you bother to post in a thread like this? Do you actually have anything to contribute other superficially clever point dictionary points.

    It certainly doesn't look like it.

    At least polestar actually had an actual point to make.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,861 ✭✭✭RobbieTheRobber


    I'm actually quite annoyed. Let me introduce to the term sophistry:


    I'm perfectly aware of what anecdotal means. These aren't stories I've heard. They are the cold hard reality of people around me, which is precisely the point I was making. In the same way that everyone will have real examples in their own lives. Except you two apparently. You just like to play clever word games seemingly oblivious to the reality around you.

    I wonder why you bother to post in a thread like this? Do you actually have anything to contribute other superficially clever point dictionary points.

    It certainly doesn't look like it.

    At least polestar actually had an actual point to make.


    Those are two insults, but maybe Im wrong maybe your tryign to be a sophist again :rolleyes:

    My point is your point is mute, or to put it more simply completly useless to this discussion.

    I know a family who both work in the private sector they have loads of dosh.

    There is another case story for you but what exactly does my case story or your case stories prove. Can you guess?


  • Posts: 5,869 ✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    i know mates that started on 20K more than me when we left college, cos they knew somebody who worked in the civil service and got a nice cushy number. Wrong. Public Appointments Service has probably the most transparent recruitment policies in the land.

    most of the others, i have no sympathy for, cos they sit in the offices, go in at 9.45 and leave at 3.45 and do nothing all day cos their union says they dont have to work hard. Wrong again. Most flexi-time core hours extend to 4.00pm. In theory you could do 10 to 4 if you wanted but you'd have to work those hours up another day. That bollocks about 'their union says they don't have to work hard' is, believe it or not, bollocks.

    they saw the cushy life, got greedy, expected to be on about 6 or 7,000 more now than what they are, drive cars they cant afford and live in houses they also cant afford and now they realise that things will get tough for them.Strike three. I believe that what you have written above applies more to the private sector than the public.
    I have heard this said countless times and I really don't think anyone was thought if as an eejit for being in the public sector. There seems to be some sort of inferiority complex on this point, that or its being brought up as a justification for refusing to budge
    The pay was never that bad, conditions were excellent ie, job security, holidays and pensions.

    There was, and still is to some degree, a stigma attached to being a "civil servant" in many peoples' eyes. It is viewed as being a graveyard for unintelligent, lazy, dullards and i've seen and heard in numerous places that anyone with any real talent or ambition wouldn't be caught dead in the place. That includes Boards c. 3 or 4 years ago.
    That argument that the rest of the country made a mint while we didn't applies only for big business owners, builders, some lawyers and of course public body heads

    Brickies getting €10 a brick, labourers on €15+ per hour, sparks, chippies and plasterers clearing €900 a week excluding doing nixers. As anecdotal as some of the other crap thats being posted, the above is money i've seen my mates earn while i started on €20k in 2003.
    I'm perfectly aware of what anecdotal means. These aren't stories I've heard. They are the cold hard reality of people around me, which is precisely the point I was making.

    For the purposes of this argument, your points are unproven hearsay and nothing but anecdotes about people you know.

    Also, well spotted by imme re: the thread title.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,154 ✭✭✭Flex


    There was, and still is to some degree, a stigma attached to being a "civil servant" in many peoples' eyes. It is viewed as being a graveyard for unintelligent, lazy, dullards and i've seen and heard in numerous places that anyone with any real talent or ambition wouldn't be caught dead in the place. That includes Boards c. 3 or 4 years ago.

    Yea, thats why whenever the public sector has been recruiting theres ALWAYS been a shortage of applicants :rolleyes:


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,086 ✭✭✭soups05


    whats wrong with the thread title?


    sorry guys but your gonna have to point it out cos i can't see it.


    :confused::confused::confused:


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 18 tippdar


    work in the public sector, the solution the government seems to come up is to hit the public sector. well it can't happen with the next budget , thats why they introduced and called last reduction a pension levy, if they said a pay cut then they couldn't have hit us last week.
    anyway there are other solutions , the government has to plough in as much investment into the knowledge economy and use this sector to creat new jobs etc that will boost our economy. frankly hitting public sector workers isnt' the only solution to the current problems. frown.gif i thought i'd throw my tuppence worth to this 'debate'

    btw... just to remind those out of work in the 'superior' private sector , merry xmass !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 38 blue1980


    The Public sector can sing for it. All my civil servants friends used to constantly joke about how little they worked and how much time was wasted now all they talk about is these cuts. They are my friends but fcuk them and the unions in earnest.


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