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public sector pay protests

  • Thread starter Thread starter c1973
  • Start date Start date
murphthemog said:
May be. I know a few firemen who have retired in their late forties. I'd love a job that enabled me to retire that early.
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Certainly wouldnt judge many public sector workers on them - but retiring in late 40's - their pension isnt that good but then they were allowed to supplement their wages during all their time off
 
Liverpoolphil said:
Certainly wouldnt judge many public sector workers on them - but retiring in late 40's - their pension isnt that good but then they were allowed to supplement their wages during all their time off
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Aren't we all allowed to have a second job... (let's not get in to any working time directives) The point is should u need a second job
 
Scouser said:
Aren't we all allowed to have a second job... (let's not get in to any working time directives) The point is should u need a second job
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If there aren't any vacancies, then the job pays enough, or more so. If you can fit a 37 hour week into 3 days, and leave four days off, then it's not a question of need, but can. How well you can perform at your job with a 12 hour shift remains a good question.

I know an ex fireman who used to take his fire truck to tesco to do the shopping, and then drop it off home.
 
Scouser said:
Aren't we all allowed to have a second job... (let's not get in to any working time directives) The point is should u need a second job
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yes they are allowed a second job - the firemans hours allowed them to get that second job - and when they tried to stop that they went on strike and other public sector workers filled in for - as madadey says - we were out tackling fires with the Green Goddess without the correct protection - driving past fireman striking was a bit of a kick to take at the time
 
Liverpoolphil said:
When has anyone suggested people do that ?
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By implication! To increase PSW wages the money has to come from somewhere as we don't have a surplus pot that we can did into. The money to give the increase can only come from taxes in what ever form, probably increased NI contributions.

So! I repeat: Is it fair to expect people working on lower wages than the equivalent PSW to pay more tax to increase their wages?
 
SocketRocket said:
By implication! To increase PSW wages the money has to come from somewhere as we don't have a surplus pot that we can did into. The money to give the increase can only come from taxes in what ever form, probably increased NI contributions.

So! I repeat: Is it fair to expect people working on lower wages than the equivalent PSW to pay more tax to increase their wages?
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Not implied anything - and do public sector workers get more than their private equivalant ? certain not in my experience. If anything the total opposite.
 
SocketRocket said:
By implication! To increase PSW wages the money has to come from somewhere as we don't have a surplus pot that we can did into. The money to give the increase can only come from taxes in what ever form, probably increased NI contributions.

So! I repeat: Is it fair to expect people working on lower wages than the equivalent PSW to pay more tax to increase their wages?
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What's the equivalent for a Nurse, a teacher, a Policeman?

Is it fair that Private sector wages are rising faster than the Public sector. Meaning that there are increased Tax revenues. These increased revenues are more than sufficient to provide the 1% pay rise (effectively a pay cut) for Nurses. If I wanted to be provocative I could argue for the Governments biggest tax burden to be reduced..
 
Scouser said:
Aren't we all allowed to have a second job... (let's not get in to any working time directives) The point is should u need a second job
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Most people don't have time or energy to do a second job. I know a number of Firefighters that find time to run their own business, play golf and have a family. We are all aware that they do a great job when called for and receive a very good package to do it but they do get a fair amount of time off, also it's not just about 'need' it's also about 'making money' just like greedy employers, bankers and MPs do.
 
SocketRocket said:
Most people don't have time or energy to do a second job. I know a number of Firefighters that find time to run their own business, play golf and have a family. We are all aware that they do a great job when called for and receive a very good package to do it but they do get a fair amount of time off, also it's not just about 'need' it's also about 'making money' just like greedy employers, bankers and MPs do.
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I know several builders who get plenty of time off, enjoy plenty of golf and holidays.. But I don't judge the entire building trade by their actions..
 
Liverpoolphil said:
Certainly wouldnt judge many public sector workers on them - but retiring in late 40's - their pension isnt that good but then they were allowed to supplement their wages during all their time off
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When i started in the public sector in 1968 i was automatically put in their pension scheme, i could have i opted out but so so glad i didn't.

I paid 5% and the council paid 5% of my wage[ not sure if it was gross or net] into my final salary pension fund.

At the age of 52 with 30 years service i got voluntary retirement with 10 years service added.

I received a lump sum and a full pension, because of the restructuring/ amalgamation of local councils. Best 2 decision i've ever made
1st joining 2 nd leaving .:whoo:
PS i get at least a 1% rise every year. so there.:whoo:
 
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bluewolf said:
What's the equivalent for a Nurse, a teacher, a Policeman?

Is it fair that Private sector wages are rising faster than the Public sector. Meaning that there are increased Tax revenues. These increased revenues are more than sufficient to provide the 1% pay rise (effectively a pay cut) for Nurses. If I wanted to be provocative I could argue for the Governments biggest tax burden to be reduced..
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The tax they pay comes out of the money taken from private sector taxes that fund their services, it's not from increased GDP. Increased wages can only be funded from savings or increased tax.

Your guarded statement is probably referring to State Retirement Pensions. I would agree that savings could be made there in the form of reducing some benefits to better off pensioners. As the basic pension is tied to the number of years NI contributions then I cant see how that can be reduced other than cutting the supplementary top ups but thats a tough call on the lowest paid.
 
SocketRocket said:
Most people don't have time or energy to do a second job. I know a number of Firefighters that find time to run their own business, play golf and have a family. We are all aware that they do a great job when called for and receive a very good package to do it but they do get a fair amount of time off, also it's not just about 'need' it's also about 'making money' just like greedy employers, bankers and MPs do.
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So now firemen are greedy because they work 2 jobs..... I wish people would just go on the dole fancy working two jobs and being described as greed... I had three jobs not so long ago... I must be an absolute disgrace
 
Scouser said:
So now firemen are greedy because they work 2 jobs..... I wish people would just go on the dole fancy working two jobs and being described as greed... I had three jobs not so long ago... I must be an absolute disgrace
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I had no issues with them doing a second job - what i did have issues with is when the went on strike because when offered 4% pay rise they rejected it and wanted 40% - so their job was covered by people who only got a 1.5% pay rise - they then rejected 11% spread over two years - finally they got 16% but hours changed.

40% they demanded.
 
Scouser said:
So now firemen are greedy because they work 2 jobs..... I wish people would just go on the dole fancy working two jobs and being described as greed... I had three jobs not so long ago... I must be an absolute disgrace
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My point is that they are rewarded well for the job they do, I didnt say greedy, thats putting words in my mouth!
 
Liverpoolphil said:
I had no issues with them doing a second job - what i did have issues with is when the went on strike because when offered 4% pay rise they rejected it and wanted 40% - so their job was covered by people who only got a 1.5% pay rise - they then rejected 11% spread over two years - finally they got 16% but hours changed.

40% they demanded.
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That's a totally different argument then and a fair point
 
SocketRocket said:
My point is that they are rewarded well for the job they do, I didnt say greedy, thats putting words in my mouth!
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Depends on who judges what "well rewarded means"

And your post did seem to put them on the same level as bankers in regards greed
 
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