Newry Traffic Chaos

Sounds very strange. In my Department we were asked to select a slot by a stated deadline. Anyone who didn't reply was just assigned a time.
From what Becky says, this is what happened in the HSE as well, where your brother works. Did he enquire why he wasn't needed? This was definitely not typical of how the strike operated through out the public service (although there were, of course, the usual minority of shirkers who did their best to avoid picket duty).
 

I'm not having a long deabte about this. I'm just saying he was not rostered and not required to picket. He was told the roster was full so he wasn't required. He was not the only one in his department of 8 who did not have to picket. I don't know or care if this was typical but these are the facts.

You stated earlier - Picket duty started at 8am and everyone was required to do a two hour stint.

As I said this was not true. Full stop
 
I'm not asking you to have a 'long debate'. I'm clarifying, for the benefit of other posters, that this was not typical and we were not all just having a day off with picket duty not required/optional which might have been the impression given by your post. As I am entitled to do. Full stop!
 
I wonder if this is anything to do with on duty/off duty. The general principle (I think) is that if you are not scheduled to work that day, you are not expected to picket. I know there are many exceptions to this, particularly where essential services are being provided throughout the dispute.
 
Its unfortunate the PS are being slammed like this - sure who wouldnt head North anyway, if the government are going to slash PS wages - better deals for your money is required.

I know i will be heading up to get my TV €400 cheaper! So if i was working in the PS and supporting a family - too right i would be getting my kids toys cheaper up north.

So much for all the threads supporting going north and how we are being ripped off (i know going off subject)!

If you done your stint on the picket line or were not due to be on the picket line - who has a right tell you what you can and cannot do on your own time.

(from non PS worker).
 
I have to say, this is the most hypocritical thread I've ever seen on AAM. Over on another forum there is a very lively debate amongst AAMers re shopping up north, how long it takes to drive up there, where the shopping centres are located, what days of the week they go, and so on.
 

+1
 

I agree.
 

Fair enough but the key difference is maybe that those posters are not striking in order to prevent a cash strapped government from making cuts.
 

Are they the same people of both threads? If not, I can't see the hypocracy.
 

I'm just surprised there has not been a thread on the fact that Copper Face Jacks was packed on Monday night.
It was on the Joe Duffy show so it must be true........
 
I'm just surprised there has not been a thread on the fact that Copper Face Jacks was packed on Monday night.
It was on the Joe Duffy show so it must be true........

So they also drove up to Newry still drunk from the night before? Why you good for nothing workshy sottish fops!
 
Fair enough but the key difference is maybe that those posters are not striking in order to prevent a cash strapped government from making cuts.

But are probably bewailing the loss of jobs in the private sector while busily shopping up North.
 
I'm just surprised there has not been a thread on the fact that Copper Face Jacks was packed on Monday night.
It was on the Joe Duffy show so it must be true........

I did hear from several sources that pubs and clubs in Dublin City Centre were jammers on Monday night. They may not have been strikers though
 
i've just spent a couple of days trying to reach our regional registration office. no reply, no call back.
in all honesty, if their salaries are cut by 50% and their social securities on the level of average private sector employees, I'd be happy. at least they wouldn't have the money to shop in newry or ikea before, during and after their "strikes".
 
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Yes, it is. These people are demanding that PS salaries be cut because people in the private sector (some people!) are losing their jobs and taking pay cuts. Then they shop in Newry,jeopardising further jobs in the Private Sector, in order to save themselves money.
 
These people are demanding that PS salaries be cut because people in the private sector (some people!) are losing their jobs and taking pay cuts.

This is inaccurate. I can't think of anyone on the site who has said this.

They are 'demanding' that PS salaries be cut because the government cannot afford to pay the salaries - not because people in the private sector are losing their jobs

You wouldn't be private sector bashing now would you Liaconn?
 
You wouldn't be being disingenuous now, would you Caveat.

People have been making the point frequently that 'we' in the Private Sector are taking pay cuts, losing our jobs etc and the Public Service should be prepared to 'share the pain' because we have security of employment and don't know how hard and difficult and frightening it is for people out in the 'real world'. Then they do their shopping up North, putting further Irish jobs at risk. That is the point I'm making and which I'm sure you picked up. (You've never struck me as obtuse!) I'm not saying it's been your main argument but has been included in many, many posts on here.
 
What it is the issue people have?
That some PS workers were shopping on a day they were suppose to be on strike duty? Or that some PS workers shop up the north and thus deprive the government of the VAT?