WITSU

MinisterJD

I think Builder Plumber has brought up some interesting points on the other threads.In these austere,harsh times of cuts,tax increases and reduced remuneration packages,Builder Plumber has indicated that over the past few years, WITSU have rewarded themselves with Pay Increases.
Is this true??

brian plank

MinisterJD wrote: »

I think Builder Plumber has brought up some interesting points on the other threads.In these austere,harsh times of cuts,tax increases and reduced remuneration packages,Builder Plumber has indicated that over the past few years, WITSU have rewarded themselves with Pay Increases.
Is this true??

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sGFwLHCTsfk

MinisterJD

No I am not Builder plumber in disguise(don't be so cynical:D) which you should have gathered from our contrasting writing styles.Builder Plumber states it as fact,I query whether it is true or false because I don't know if the union have increased their own salaries/expenses over the last few years??

Sully

I'm going to assume election time is nearby?

BuilderPlumber

MinisterJD wrote: »

I think Builder Plumber has brought up some interesting points on the other threads.In these austere,harsh times of cuts,tax increases and reduced remuneration packages,Builder Plumber has indicated that over the past few years, WITSU have rewarded themselves with Pay Increases.
Is this true??

Yes, I am afraid it it is true. WITSU started off as a very informal organisation and at first, its members were not paid. Then, they got paid and their salaries increased. One time, it was run on a part-time basis by students for students. Now, it is run fulltime by ex-WIT students mainly.

WITSU has become a huge industry with merchandise and fundraiser days. NONE of the money raised goes on student services that's for certain. And yes the Rose of Tralee outings are also very true! Brian Staunton, the autocratic president, was the person accompanying the 2011 I think Waterford rose.

BuilderPlumber

Sully wrote: »

I'm going to assume election time is nearby?

Yes, in a few weeks time I think. Hopefully, we can get some decent people in it this year and reverse the negativity of the current leadership.

MinisterJD

Although I take on board your points builder plumber,I think it's important to give a balanced view. I don't know Brian that well at all,he strikes me as an honest and hard working representative.

BuilderPlumber

MinisterJD wrote: »

Although I take on board your points builder plumber,I think it's important to give a balanced view. I don't know Brian that well at all,he strikes me as an honest and hard working representative.

Yes, it is always important to give a balanced view and open up discussion on issues regarding how effective these unions are. My experience with them has been very negative.

Now, I have nothing against Brian personally (he inherited what was already a poor system that took many years and many presidents to form!). BUT the WITSU itself and its offices (which are autocratic by their very nature) needs serious reform.

The main issue I have with WITSU is the emphasis on things like Waterford Gives a Shirt, etc (yes, all worthy charities and movements BUT not directly related to student welfare). The student mentoring, advisory, counselling and grinds services are now 20% of what they were a few years back. While the involvement of the union in charity and sport has skyrocketed.

I also get the feeling that some of the recent presidents used the WITSU as a platform to further their own careers within the sports and charity side of the WIT environment. Hence, all the emphasis on social, charity and sports events and no tackling of real student issues.

James Lambe leaving in the middle of his term as education officer is perhaps where the problems of the internal workings of the union first caused serious problems. The then president did not know what to do and took advice from a previous president (who is I believe now a sports lecturer at WIT) who also seems to still give advice.

MinisterJD

As an impartial reader/poster of this thread,Builder plumber I would have to question your motives and would suggest that a lot of your posts, involve hear say/inuendo,u seem to suggest incidents as fact without carrying out any diligent research??

Sully

I feel weird defending the SU here but its worth pointing out a few things..

1) The James Lambe issue wasn't political but based on a serious allegation that was made against him, which I won't be saying what it was. He was suspended, then asked to resign. That's if I recall correctly and I think this was covered on Boards at the time.

2) I see no problem with current presidents seeking advise from former presidents. The last few presidents have ended up getting jobs in WIT.

3) The SU cannot address the fees issue. That's something the USI deals with, rather badly. They attend various protests on the matter as most SU bodies do.

4) RAG Week is for charity and not for student funds. Its the same in every college.

5) Its up to the students to register for the grind service, to be fair. CHART (or whatever its called now) had/have a similar service. Also, students pay the person giving the grind. Its a good idea in theory, but its hard to do.

6) The Class Rep training / random days away are more of an excuse for a few drinks (in my opinion) but they can offer a small reward.

Sully

The James Lambe issue was handled to the best of their ability and had nothing to do with dictatorship. I couldn't fault them, based on the information I had at the time, for them acting the way they did. I'm not going into any more detail but you seem way off the mark and I don't think anybody should be discussing such a sensitive matter online and damage any individuals character. Leave that between James, WIT and the Union.

I wouldn't call it "looking up" to former SU presidents, they all seemed to get on well as friends and colleagues for sometime before their respective duties. But seeking advise I wouldn't see much of a problem with.

RAG week is a national charity and that's that. Its not the SU/USIs job to fundraise for students and there wouldn't be enough money to go around. There is a separate fund available for students in distress financially.

BuilderPlumber

Sully wrote: »

The James Lambe issue was handled to the best of their ability and had nothing to do with dictatorship. I couldn't fault them, based on the information I had at the time, for them acting the way they did. I'm not going into any more detail but you seem way off the mark and I don't think anybody should be discussing such a sensitive matter online and damage any individuals character. Leave that between James, WIT and the Union.

I wouldn't call it "looking up" to former SU presidents, they all seemed to get on well as friends and colleagues for sometime before their respective duties. But seeking advise I wouldn't see much of a problem with.

RAG week is a national charity and that's that. Its not the SU/USIs job to fundraise for students and there wouldn't be enough money to go around. There is a separate fund available for students in distress financially.

It is very true that sensitive issues should not be discussed online here. I know a lot of nasty things about WITSU that have ruined my friends and upset myself but will not be mentioning any of it online as it is not the place to do so. I understand an underlying nastiness exists in recent administrations there and if you had dealings with them like myself and my friends have had, you would know their autocratic side too.

I agree rag week is a national charity and it is good to know there is a separate fund for students in distress.

I think that the whole WITSU needs to get 100% away from its current leadership and those in its very recent past.

MinisterJD

Best of luck tomorrow BP;)