Jack O Connor on Radio 1 now

[X-ray]

The CSO tracks gross incomes in that report, they "know" how to deal with levies but that's not within the scope of the report.

They also "know" how to report on health incomes when they have them. Perhaps you should ask the HSE why they aren't.

If you read through their site you'll see the CSO produces a report using the same methodology every quarter of every year for comparative analysis. That's why they track gross incomes.

They produce a headline saying that average income in the PS rose in the last year, I don't care what method they used, it is a nonsense because incomes had their biggest one year fall in the history of the state. If they are not capable of reflecting that instead of producing deceptive headlines they are not fit to do their job.

I am sick of "experts" telling me why black is white.

[sharper]

They produce a headline saying that average income in the PS rose in the last year

The CSO produce reports, not headlines. What aspects of their reports others choose to highlight is not the concern of the CSO.

The Q2,Q3,Q4 private sector reports for 2009 will be of great interest and should be out soon. I'm sure if they show that private sector pay levels have not fallen you'll rekindle your love for the CSO,

[X-ray]

The CSO produce reports, not headlines. What aspects of their reports others choose to highlight is not the concern of the CSO.

The Q2,Q3,Q4 private sector reports for 2009 will be of great interest and should be out soon. I'm sure if they show that private sector pay levels have not fallen you'll rekindle your love for the CSO,

Average weekly earnings up 3.2% in year to June 2009

this is the headline lifted from the top of the report, do you think PS wages went up in that year or do you think they went down?

[wexfordman]

Average weekly earnings up 3.2% in year to June 2009

this is the headline lifted from the top of the report, do you think PS wages went up in that year or do you think they went down?

Afaik the HSE unions are looking for a 3% pay increase!! Seems a long way from what you are insisting the private sector do, you know, when you said they have to "cut costs, wages, prices etc, they had to do it or die in times of deflation".

[X-ray]

Afaik the HSE unions are looking for a 3% pay increase!! Seems a long way from what you are insisting the private sector do, you know, when you said they have to "cut costs, wages, prices etc, they had to do it or die in times of deflation".

That's exactly what thieyhave to do, the whole country needs to readjust not just PS workers. If all agree we have a chance, targeting one over another will not work.

[RainyDay]

Other than the benchmarking exercise, right?

Pity they destroyed all that data.

Probably yes, it seems likely that the benchmarking process did actually look at job content - but seeing as the report wasn't made public, we can but speculate.

ESRI uses standard methodology to compare salaries between members in each sector. They correct for all known variables that affect earnings such as gender, education, experience etc.

Given a population of otherwise identical individuals ESRI shows that those in the public sector will be earning 20% more than those in the private sector before even applying premiums for pension and job security.

All nice and dandy, but they still have no information on job content, the work that people actually do.

You were quite happy to take money from benchmarking, an utterly discredited piece of work, but are happy to criticise the ESRI?

I've never criticised the ESRI - I've just pointed out the gaping holes in their work. They have based all their public vs private analysis on a very superficial database that has no information about the actual work that people do.

Roll on strikes most private sector workers are just sick and tired of this crap.

Pity that you're falling into the 'public vs private - divide and conquer' trap set by Government.

He's an abolsute scumbag if he paralyses the country, theman should be jailed for economic treason if he orders his members to go on a national strike.

You don't seem to know very much about how unions work. Jack doesn't order his members to do anything. The members order Jack (via their ballots).

Haven't you heard? AIB is de facto public sector already. Say hi to your new colleagues, guys. They're the fellas in pinstripe carrying large bags marked "SWAG".

Indeed, but they don't have to worry about little inconveniences like pension levies, recruitment bans or fixed salary scales.

X-Ray mentions profitable private sector companies. Who? Where?

Most private sector busineses I am aware of are finding conditions very difficult, with many job losses and more pending.

The recent publication of wages by the CSO for Q1 2009 (certain industries) showed very little decreases of wages in the private sector and (surprise surprise) increases in some area. See The Irish Economy Blog Archive Where are the Wage Cuts? for an analysis of these figures, and see The Irish Economy Blog Archive Where are the Wage Cuts? for confirmation of this analysis by the high priest of the slash-and-cut brigade, Colm McCarthy himself.

[hopi watcher]

oh I dunno, maybe 6 times the minimum wage would be sufficient recompense for their efforts? As opposed to 10 times.

and this will apply to all, I suppose knowing how fair you are!!!

[Kevin Doyle]

The CSO produce reports, not headlines. What aspects of their reports others choose to highlight is not the concern of the CSO.

Of course they dont

[Keith-M]

Ah Keith-M,

You're getting MUCH too soft in your dotage... perhaps any union member should be arrested as an economic suberverse? Perhaps we make it too obvious - maybe anyone with the surname O'Connor could be put in stocks and invite some bankers to throw IOU's at them instead?

Regards,

Opus.

Why should union fees be tax deductible? Membership fees for political parties aren't, contribution to sports and social clubs at work aren't. This is inequitable and should be done away with.

[Proposition Joe]

and this will apply to all, I suppose knowing how fair you are!!!

So the only circumstance in which the union leaders should limit would themselves to a mere 6 times the minimum wage, would be where all other high-earners in the economy jump first?

Sortta undermines their high moral ground when it comes to "afflicting the comfortable", no?