Recession

[HomerJSimpson]

AMcC

To be fair I went from 15 years of working in the private sector into the civil service, then back out again and finally back into the NHS so I think I've a fair understanding of how the "real world" works. Having come into employment in 83 in time for the Tory boom years and then suffer the fallout as markets crashed I've felt the effect meyself and have been made redundant twice so know the pain.

My point is that any wage freeze either in the private or public sector effectively means a lowering of income against the cost of living. I think the only real positive I can take is a decent pension scheme (which I don't control but would be stupid not to take advantage of) and being as secure as it can be from redundancy (although some hospitals are reducing admin staff so never say never)

 

[mancity101]

however without strike action looks like we will only receive an annual pay increase of 0.5% - which against cost of living is ludicrous.

I think you want to spend some time in the real world.

Our firm was hit hard by the downturn, particularly the property market fall. We paid off approx 60 staff out of 300 and we all had a pay cut. At my level it was a 15% cut and only recently had 7.5% reinstated. So no sign of a pay rise likely in the near future, but lucky still to have a job.

I regularly deal with local government people and regularly hear them commenting on no pay rise !!! You may be different but most of the local government people have become institutionalised and would not last 2 seconds in the real world of private practice.

My take on the whole thing was that a very high percentage of the governments income came from the square mile and essentially poor business planning - all their eggs in one basket. Also if you could stand and breathe they would give you finance to do what ever you wanted.

"Spend time in the real world?"
1) in 28 yrs of workingh I have worked for myself for 12 yrs, in the private sector for 11 yrs and public for 5...think I have a broad experience.
2) I deal with Benefits on a daily basis --I know better than most how the "real world" operates and the hardships people face.
3) I work in one of the more deprived cities in England...Salford...I understand the "real world"

My point is on an increase of 0.5% against increased, fuel, road tax, heating, gas, general cost of living, times are tough.......pleas dont make sweeping ridiculous statements that I need to spend time in the real world.

 

[CrapHacker]

My point is on an increase of 0.5% against increased, fuel, road tax, heating, gas, general cost of living, times are tough.......pleas dont make sweeping ridiculous statements that I need to spend time in the real world.

Try living in that same world with a pay CUT of somewhere between 10% and 30%. I know of some people who are suffering more than I, but I had a cut of approximately 40% initially, which, through working long hours, I've pulled back to about 25%. I'm going in the right direction again, but there's a long way to go before I reach parity with my earnings of 18 months ago.

It was your comment about considering strike action that I, and I imagine other members, found hard on the virtual ears.

You'd have very little sympathy from the general public if you took action, and would put your family through unneccessary hardship if you decided to go through with it.

I believe that long term strike action has to be self financed, and I can assure you that you would lose out financially with little long term improvement in conditions if you were to withdraw labour.

Any government would take a strong line against industrial action this close to an election. It would be illconsidered, to say the least.

 

[jedsta20]

The country comes out of recession and from next week I'm put on short time. An few extra hours practice a day should come in handy though. Not all doom and gloom.

 

[AMcC]

AMcC

To be fair I went from 15 years of working in the private sector into the civil service, then back out again and finally back into the NHS so I think I've a fair understanding of how the "real world" works. Having come into employment in 83 in time for the Tory boom years and then suffer the fallout as markets crashed I've felt the effect meyself and have been made redundant twice so know the pain.

My point is that any wage freeze either in the private or public sector effectively means a lowering of income against the cost of living. I think the only real positive I can take is a decent pension scheme (which I don't control but would be stupid not to take advantage of) and being as secure as it can be from redundancy (although some hospitals are reducing admin staff so never say never)

HomerJ

My experience is not disimilar to both you and Mancity having worked in local government for 9 years, left to set up my own business. This ran for 10 years til it was bought over by a large partnership. My wife also works in local government so can see it from all angles. Totally agree on the pension point, who would say no to a final salary scheme pension nowadays. What got to me most about the post was someone even thinking of striking because they were not getting a payrise when so many other families are suffering even worse. In Scotland the cooncils have recently gone through a salary re evaluation with many posts having salary freezes as well as somde downgrades.

Would agree that any salary freeze or reduction does mean a lowering of standards of living. Just got to think more about purchases, special items etc.

But hey we are out of recession !! wonder when we will start to see the benefits ?

 

[AMcC]

"2) I deal with Benefits on a daily basis --I know better than most how the "real world" operates and the hardships people face.

Well I would have to wish you all the best in that job. We used to have a benefits office next to our office. The state and attitude of many of their visitors was dreadful and I did hear some horror stories from the girls about how they were treated and spoken to. A bit of a generalisation here but too many of them expect everything but not prepared to do anything. How many have sky tv, are out every weekend and have a huge devil dog to feed!!
How patient a person are you ?

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I'm not in favour of strike action (it wasn't me that commented on striking btw). Not only do I think it will have no end result but it will further penalise the families of those who take the action.

 

[AMcC]

Agree that striking will have no end benefit and only cost everyone money. It will also lose them any public support.
They may however adopt a previous tactic when selected departments, those which cause most disruption, go out on strike. The wages lost by those select people is then made up by the majority, so everybody loses out but to a lesser degree. Can't see any strikes going ahead though.