Is there broad support for the current Public Sector strikes?

[Purple]

It is hard to know if there is broad support for the current round of strikes. RTE, the Public Sector Broadcaster, which is heavily unionised and has a strong dislike of the current government for not giving them even more tax payers money, has a strong pro-Union pro-strike editorial position. I expect the same from the Irish Time but I'm not seeing any date on whether there is broad public support for what seems to be a totally unnecessary strike.

The logic from the Union side seems to be that the Hauliers and Farmers put a gun to the head of the Irish people and got away with it so we'll do the same thing. The Mob at it's most self interested.

 

[JoeRoberts]

Zero public support i would have thought.
Even relatives of mine in the PS don't want to strike. A bit embarassed.

 

[Itchy]

The logic from the Union side seems to be that the Hauliers and Farmers put a gun to the head of the Irish people and got away with it so we'll do the same thing. The Mob at it's most self interested.

I think the government have managed this seriously poorly (quel surprise). Trading income tax cuts for the VAT reduction for hospitality, last year. Followed by the cave in to the fuel protestors. The government knew that the PS pay agreement was expiring. They chose not to engage, unless they could control the process. The shift in the power dynamic was obvious, yet they tried (and continue) to strong arm the Unions.

I think they expected that the "cost of living" measures in the budget would do the heavy lifting for them - but a strategic mistake, in my view. They also flew a €2bn pay budget kite before the budget (correctly identifying the discontent and a desperate attempt to entice the talks to start), when the actual budget ex. pension costs, means something like a 2.5% increase (according to the Unions). Likely not going to cut it.

Public support will ebb and flow but the Government side will find it difficult to attract support with the obvious mismanagement of the process. I think the Unions have sign posted this well and they have their ducks in a row, in fairness.

Even relatives of mine in the PS don't want to strike. A bit embarassed.

Union mandates in the 90%+, what are you talking about?!

 

[Purple]

I hope nobody who supports this ever opens their mouth about the cost of the National Children's Hospital. When the Unions get what they want, and they will get what they want, it will cost the same each year as the total cost of the National Children's Hospital, but with nothing to show for it.

It will cost the same as the Metro link over the next 7 years, again with nothing to show for it.

I hope they don't open their mouth about lack of services for kids with additional needs, about lack of funding for medicines or about bad infrastructure.

A staggering amount of money with zero return for the people of Ireland.

A family member, a qualified solicitor, just quit their job in one of the top law firms in the country to go back to teaching because when the pension is taken into account they are better off teaching. Less than half the hours, more than three time the holidays, and total job security. But the teachers are going on strike for more... such greed and self interest.

 

[JoeRoberts]

what are you talking about?!

Talking about my relatives who are teachers with annual automatic increments. They are embarassed as they see there non PS friends struggling to arrange childcare for wednesday.

 

[TRS30]

The logic from the Union side seems to be that the Hauliers and Farmers put a gun to the head of the Irish people and got away with it so we'll do the same thing. The Mob at it's most self interested.

The fuel protests (initially) had public support because the issue effected everyone (majority of the public has a car or a house to heat). The vast majority of private sector workers have no skin in this game and will not see any benefit from these strikes, just hassle and inconvenience.

 

[Sister Sara]

I think its unfair to compare the strikes tomorrow with the Hauliers protest. The strike tomorrow has been forewarned for many months now if government failed to enter meaningful talks about public sector pay.

There is an element of Chambers attempting to portray himself somewhat as the hardline Minister in my opinion. On the flipside, I do question these mandates of 95% membership votes. Kim Yung and Putin can only stand back in admiration.
I don't get any real sense of a demand for strikes rather a union leadership with their noses put out of joint on account on the lack of engagement with government. I do feel this sentiment is somewhat contrived and it is very much union leaders leading the membership out as opposed to a reaction from grassroots members disenchanted.

A family member, a qualified solicitor, just quit their job in one of the top law firms in the country to go back to teaching because when the pension is taken into account they are better off teaching. Less than half the hours, more than three time the holidays, and total job security.

When I read stuff like this I think either someone was way out of their depth as a solicitor, or, solicitors should unionise for better pay and conditions. If a top law firm in the country cannot offer better terms and conditions for solicitors for working twice the hours, a third of the holidays, etc, then that is good cause for unionisation and withdrawal of labour.

 

[Purple]

I think its unfair to compare the strikes tomorrow with the Hauliers protest. The strike tomorrow has been forewarned for many months now if government failed to enter meaningful talks about public sector pay.

They have but on what planet does anyone agree an outcome before the talks start? That's the Union demand; they want pay increases agreed before they discuss productivity and changes to work practices. In the real economy people agree changes to work practices in order to keep their employer in business and keep their job.

There is an element of Chambers attempting to portray himself somewhat as the hardline Minister in my opinion. On the flipside, I do question these mandates of 95% membership votes. Kim Yung and Putin can only stand back in admiration.
I don't get any real sense of a demand for strikes rather a union leadership with their noses put out of joint on account on the lack of engagement with government. I do feel this sentiment is somewhat contrived and it is very much union leaders leading the membership out as opposed to a reaction from grassroots members disenchanted.

I agree with that.

When I read stuff like this I think either someone was way out of their depth as a solicitor, or, solicitors should unionise for better pay and conditions. If a top law firm in the country cannot offer better terms and conditions for solicitors for working twice the hours, a third of the holidays, etc, then that is good cause for unionisation and withdrawal of labour.

Maybe, or maybe it shows how well paid and favourable the terms and conditions are which teachers enjoy. Even a law firm couldn't afford the work practices, pensions and pay that teachers get.

The family member is/was in an educational role within the law firm (FE1's, Training Staff etc).

 

[Sister Sara]

That's the Union demand; they want pay increases agreed before they discuss productivity and changes to work practices.

Well this is where I consider an element of contrivance on the part of the unions.

As I understand, the last pay deal expired in June this year. The normal course of affairs would be to request to enter pay negotiations from June and, perhaps by September a deal is hopefully agreed.
We are in mid-October and no talks have even started. It would appear to me that the government have indeed dragged their heels somewhat to the point of invoking industrial action. In addition, the union leadership are now playing a - you have made things hard/ we can maker them harder - hence the demand for a pay package in advance.
Its not so much a pay increase rather how much is the government willing to spend on increases will determine what level of co-operation thereafter.

If I'm correct the last pay package was worth €3.6bn over 2.5yrs. The government has set aside €1.2bn in the budget for this public sector pay deal.

Even a law firm couldn't afford the work practices, pensions and pay that teachers get.

Well, I don't know all the details of course but on the face of it, it sounds highly unlikely to me.