Good luck to the PS workers.

[Conor]

PS unions need to realise that their employers are the common decent people of this country. It makes no sense to make enemies of them. They have been more than generous so far but patience is not endless.

The common decent people of the country haven't cut PS wages twice in past year. The employers of PS workers have. The unions aren't inventing enemies out of thin air.

[Pabilito]

The common decent people of the country haven't cut PS wages twice in past year. The employers of PS workers have. The unions aren't inventing enemies out of thin air.

Ohh yes we have!!

[fiannafailure]

Correct. But the very angry members are about to have their way, even if the leadershp is still being 'moderate' . Members are completely sick of the moderate approach.

Personally, I have witnessed a union leader being (verbally) savaged because of perceived inaction and acquiescence.

I think we are about to see much more militant, agressive union leaders being elected. The 'softly'softly' people are about to be put out to grass. It is generally considered that years of 'partnership' allowed them to become part of the establishment.

Unions are about to return to their roots.

Which roots are we talking about, and more to the point what are they angry about, the only thing that should concern them is the ability of their employer to pay, the state of the economy and the people who depend on them.

Everyone in the country is angry about the same things, but electing more militant union leaders will not solve one damn thing, unless you feel that your problems are more important than the hundreds of thousands who are on the dole, are they ?, electing smart union leaders could achieve a lot.

The union leaders are the only ones keeping PS workers from outright strike these days. The appetite among the membership is for greater militancy, not less. Anyone who claims they're the worst enemy of the PS worker right now really doesn't understand the situation they're talking about.

As above, and I stand by my claim, anyone who tells any worker, forget all this PS are special bull, anyone who tells any worker that there are easy answers is a pimp or a liar.

I suppose these new omnipotent militant leaders will enjoy the obscene salaries and perks of the present encumbents.

[Pabilito]

A common practice I believe.

It's amazing what can be put 'through the books' as expenses if one is self employed.

Very true.. when a customer fails to pay you for your work you put it "through the books"..(as a loss) it's happening more and more these days.

P.S. for the PS - ever experienced loss of income???????????????????????????.. (P.S - No whinges about paying for YOUR OWN PENSION.. I'm talking about REAL loss)

[uriah]

The common decent people of the country haven't cut PS wages twice in past year. The employers of PS workers have. The unions aren't inventing enemies out of thin air.

Ohh yes we have!!

common? Yes
decent? No

[darkhorse]

I`ll have to put the babysitter through the books when the teachers go on strike

Its the essence of parenthood to advise a child making demands which cannot possibly be fulfilled or, if fulfilled, would do the child no good at all or potentially even bankrupt the family. Almost every parent would step in for the good of the child.
So why dont the public service listen ? Most of them dont know the first thing about the economics of the country...

[Pabilito]

common? Yes
decent? No

Ohh yes we have!!

[Conor]

Ohh yes we have!!

No we haven't.

[Pabilito]

No we haven't.

Ohhhh yes we have!!

[Baron von Biffo]

Just announced on RTE News, talks to commence between Govt. and unions under chairmanship of Kieran Mulvey.