I think I’ll go on strike

Re: I think Ill go on strike

Unfortunately the medicine being given out comes from a quack.

If we dont swallow the pill the IMF will be here and then what 000s of public job cuts, spending cuts and we can strike away ... can the unions not see this. People think this levy is pain, well we're in for some shock. So unions be repsonsible accept the cuts and negotiaite how they happen
 
What is the story regarding TDs' who do not pass a picket (Sinn Fein etc to-day) - do they lose a days pay like the strikers?
 
Re: I think Ill go on strike

So unions be repsonsible accept the cuts and negotiaite how they happen

Something you have forgotten is that the govt walked away from the table not the unions.

Our govt put a deadline for the issues to be resolved and at the last minute put down the pension levy on the table.
 
Re: I think Ill go on strike

Something you have forgotten is that the govt walked away from the table not the unions.

Our govt put a deadline for the issues to be resolved and at the last minute put down the pension levy on the table.
Are you seriously suggesting that the unions were not aware that pay would be an issue?!
 
Are you seriously suggesting that the unions were not aware that pay would be an issue?!

No but this has not been called a pay cut, they have called it a pension levy.

It is basically another tax soley aimed at public servants, it is wrong to single out some one and force them to pay extra tax.

The burden should be shouldered by all workers not just public servants.

They did it to be populist. That's all.

'Populist' new word for me.:eek:

SF are in politics, what else would you expect them to do?
 
Re: I think Ill go on strike

If we dont swallow the pill the IMF will be here and then what 000s of public job cuts, spending cuts and we can strike away ... can the unions not see this. People think this levy is pain, well we're in for some shock. So unions be repsonsible accept the cuts and negotiaite how they happen

The big problem is the unions feel there is an easier pill to swallow than the one being shoved down their throats.
 
Re: I think Ill go on strike

Without any cuts in pay?

This pension levy is not a cut in pay, it is another tax.

I've asked this questiion before but have't gotten an answer as of yet.

Why are public servants being singled out for this tax?
 
And what would I hope to achieve?
Perhaps you should have thought about this BEFORE you went looking for a protest, rather than after.
Lets just all take our medicine and start moving toward recovery.
You've just put your finger on the problem. In the current environment, we aren't all taking our medicine. One subset has been singled out for treatment. The levy should be removed and replaced with a simple tax increase.
 
Public service seem to be divided in their opinion on this pension levy. Some say it's a tax, others a pay cut. Should ye not all decide on which it is before you go a-marching?

If any of you want to swap jobs with me, I will gladly do so. Job security, nice pension at the end (tax, pay cut, I'll take them all because at the end of the day, I'm still in a job). And that's what I'll be getting. You can have my rapidly falling pension, my 59 hour working week, the uncertainty of whether you will still be working a few months down the line. Form an orderly queue please.
 
And before you all go flinging daggers at me, I have stated before that cuts (and taxes) should be across the board. That includes everyone, irresepective of job or status.
 
Public service seem to be divided in their opinion on this pension levy. Some say it's a tax, others a pay cut. Should ye not all decide on which it is before you go a-marching?
Does it really matter what its called? The net effect is still the same. This attempt to create an argement where none exists wouldn't be a diversionary tactic, by any chance?
If any of you want to swap jobs with me, I will gladly do so. Job security, nice pension at the end (tax, pay cut, I'll take them all because at the end of the day, I'm still in a job). And that's what I'll be getting. You can have my rapidly falling pension, my 59 hour working week, the uncertainty of whether you will still be working a few months down the line. Form an orderly queue please.
If your pension is still falling, it is because you are choosing to keep it in an equity fund. If you want it to stop falling, move it to a cash or guaranteed fund. I don't recall too many complaints about the 10%-15% p.a. growth in equities in the good times! Presumably (like me) you are opting to keep your funds in equities in the expectation of a recovery in the markets at some stage. If the risk of equities is too much for you, move to cash - but please don't keep whinging about the nature of equity markets. They go up and down - surprise eh?

Funny how this idea of moving into the public sector wasn't so popular 2-3 years ago? You had your chance to swap in the good times, when there was a fair bit of public sector recruitment going on. Mind you, it was still extremely competitive, so not everyone would make the grade of course. There weren't too many people who (like me) took substantial salary cuts to move from private to public sector, with the payback being more civilised working hours and the contracted pension entitlements. Now my employer is renaiging on that contract, and making now attempt to spread the pain fairly. So why didn't you swap to the public sector 2-3 years ago?
 
Honestly, I have no official qualifications (I know I really should have, that's a story for a different day). I got this job straight from work, so it's pretty much what I know. I doubt, if I had applied for public service work, that I would have been accepted. I may be wrong on this, but that was just my feeling on the matter. Better the devil you know and all that. And I would have moved if I could, I was looking for a job in the ps closer to home, but the ones that were available were specialised, so there was no point in me even considering them. Aside from that, if I had got a job in the ps and was working there now, I would have accepted this pension levy without much hassle.

As regards the pension, and I am not whinging on this, I'm still only 27, so moving to cash now would probably be counter productive . Just trying to point out I guess, that many people in the private sector are feeling this pain. I never experienced those 10-15% equity growths, strangely enough (must have a word with the pensions man on that one!).
 
Re: I think Ill go on strike

The big problem is the unions feel there is an easier pill to swallow than the one being shoved down their throats.

I'll re-phrase my question. Does the easier pill involve pay cuts? (and bare in mind the need for 4bn cuts next year)
 
Re: I think Ill go on strike

I've asked this questiion before but have't gotten an answer as of yet.

Why are public servants being singled out for this tax?

Because they cant lose their job, and there isnt enough money to pay them!!!
How do the private sector handle single someone out??? redundancy!!!

You cannot compare the 2 sectors. The only way you can compare both sectors if there are widespread redundancies in the public sector.Then you can complain about being targeted.
 
Re: I think Ill go on strike

You cannot compare the 2 sectors. The only way you can compare both sectors if there are widespread redundancies in the public sector.Then you can complain about being targeted.
Check out what's been happening in Bus Eireann, Dublin Bus, Combat Poverty Agency, every local authority in the country - widespread job cuts indeed - so now I have your permission to complain - right?
 
The only way you can compare both sectors if there are widespread redundancies in the public sector.Then you can complain about being targeted.

What about the many many thousands of private sector workers who are sitting cosily unaffected, no pay cut, no short time working, when are they going to be "targeted" and do their bit/share the pain etc. I do have some sympathy for the public sector workers as every one of them is going to be losing pay while this is clearly not the case in the private sector.

For the record I do not and never have worked in the public sector, I am a private sector worker currently suffering a 40% pay cut due to a short working week. Meanwhile my 3 work colleagues, who already earn more than me remain in full time work on full pay.They have absolutely nothing to complain about - but it doesn't stop them!
 
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