Surprise,surprise-unions oppose pay cuts! Industrial action imminent.

[patslatt]

When asked what the unions hoped to accomplish during the massive wave of strikes in 1970s Britain, a British union leader humorously said ,"more pay for less work".

Brian Cowen is learning this reality this week as both the teachers and nurses unions won't even discuss the possibility of pay cuts and the other public sector unions are opposed to cuts. It looks as if some unions may grudgingly concede 1 or 2% in pay cuts which would be only a small fraction of cuts needed to balance the budget over time. So the government will now have to unilaterally impose pay cuts or the equivalent in actuarially determined increases in pension contributions,a more palatable form of pay cuts.

If in response to unilateral government moves to cut pay the unions engage in industrial action that proves very disruptive,the government will have no choice but to sack large numbers of public sector workers instead of cutting pay.In that event, even front line workers like teachers and nurses would not be exempt from the sack. Sometimes a massive dose of unemployment is the only way to make unionised workers face economic reality.

[myksav]

When asked what the unions hoped to accomplish during the massive wave of strikes in 1970s Britain, a British union leader humorously said ,"more pay for less work".

Brian Cowen is learning this reality this week as both the teachers and nurses unions won't even discuss the possibility of pay cuts and the other public sector unions are opposed to cuts. It looks as if some unions may grudgingly concede 1 or 2% in pay cuts which would be only a small fraction of cuts needed to balance the budget over time. So the government will now have to unilaterally impose pay cuts or the equivalent in actuarially determined increases in pension contributions,a more palatable form of pay cuts.

If in response to unilateral government moves to cut pay the unions engage in industrial action that proves very disruptive,the government will have no choice but to sack large numbers of public sector workers instead of cutting pay.In that event, even front line workers like teachers and nurses would not be exempt from the sack. Sometimes a massive dose of unemployment is the only way to make unionised workers face economic reality.

Quelle suprise? Heard that this morning. Me, I'd take a cut in pay (or hours) rather than no job. That way, I'd still be in the job when things pick up again rather than having to start all over again.

[draiocht23]

Quelle suprise? Heard that this morning. Me, I'd take a cut in pay (or hours) rather than no job. That way, I'd still be in the job when things pick up again rather than having to start all over again.

Ah, but you and I can be fired. Those in the public sector cannot.

[The Red Rose of Cork]

a lawful strike in the face of an illegal attempt to cut pay - every court in the land will defend that right

[Conor]

Ah, but you and I can be fired. Those in the public sector cannot.

Sure they can.

[Dios]

a lawful strike in the face of an illegal attempt to cut pay - every court in the land will defend that right

Not to play devil's advocate or anything, but the government sets the laws.

[The Red Rose of Cork]

Not to play devil's advocate or anything, but the government sets the laws.

in conformity with the constitution including the constitutional right to strike

[politicaldonations]

a lawful strike in the face of an illegal attempt to cut pay - every court in the land will defend that right

No amount of strikes will magic up the 20billion a year shortfall. The whole economy is going to have to move to a new lower level, so everyones salary and costs of land ,services etc have to fall. If cost of living(cost houses/mortgages/rent, food etc)drop 30% over next few years then a 30% pay cut would have no impact on standard of living and also help prevent unemployment soaring. Obviously it's gonna be a difficult transition to this new lower level of GNP per capita but it's essential to save the economy and unions have to realise this and do everything to maintain employment levels.

[junketman]

Unfortunately Cowen and the government cannot duck the major issues of our time any longer. They have talked and talked and talked about doing something hoping it will all go away and after 6 months of talking we are still no nearer to cutting back government expenditure. The government wants to remain popular and expects the unions to give up without a fight. They are learning you cant have it both ways.

[Dios]

in conformity with the constitution including the constitutional right to strike

I fear the unions may find public support for a strike somewhat lacking.