Lies, lies and more lies on private sector pay rates???

[grapes of wrath]

Are we hearing the truth on pay changes in the private sector?

We have been continually fed the line that there have been cuts in pay rates in the private sector. It is continually stated by a variety of radio presenters and in the newspapers, especially in the Sunday Independent. I know some of these commentators have very little credibility but they do influence opinion.

[SIZE="2"]As something of a public affairs addict I have seen virtually no specific reports about businesses which have announced cuts in private sector pay rates. Have they occurred or have we being fed a cock and bull story by IBEC and the likes of John McGuinness and their stooges? Where is the evidence to support this?[/SIZE]

I am in favour of immediate and fairly severe adjustments to both public expenditure and taxation but only if everyone is carrying their fair share. The 100,000 losing their jobs are paying a very heavy price. However, how many of the 1.5 million holding on to their jobs in the private sector have suffered a permanent cut in their pay rates - excluding those associated with the housing bubble which was the cause of so much of our trouble/ I am not talking about overtime or the loss of bonuses. These are temporary. Could those making these claims about cuts in pay rates put up or shut up?


[SIZE="2"]Could we have the names of major businesses which have cut pay rates in the last 6 months excluding those associated with the building sector. I will try to list them on this post if they seem reliable. Names and the size of the cuts please. [/SIZE]

[COLOR="Red"]Comment/Update @ 19.30 on Feb 2nd[/COLOR]

I asked for examples of cases where rates of pay had been reduced. Only 5 cases were listed in the first 40 replies, with Seagate and Dunne’s Fitness Centres the only names I recognised (see replies 12, 17, 25 and 36). I was not too surprised at the limited number of cases as I did not trust the individuals that kept repeating that pay rates had dropped from 10% to 25% in the private sector.

Comment on 25 Feb 2009
Some fellow talking to George Hook and Kevin Myers this evening (Wed 25 Feb) seemed to have reliable information and stated that his information was that 80% of those in the private sector were on the same wages/salaries as last year and that quite a few had received the payments agreed in the last pay round. Only about 20% had been hit by drops in pay or redundancy. I would still like to have definitive information on what has happened so we could have a debate informed by something other than hearsay or propoganda eg some clown of a Fianna Fail TD fro Meath was on the radio this morning who stated that the government was not able to borrow at present.

[Eorna]

Are you in college or secondary?. Do you know anyone working in the private sector?. I know lots of people who have taken cuts of 10%, and some up to 20%. Foolish thread

[grapes of wrath]

Are you in college or secondary?. Do you know anyone working in the private sector?. I know lots of people who have taken cuts of 10%, and some up to 20%. Foolish thread

At the risk of being slightly offensive, I repeat "put up or shut up"

[History Student]

Yet there are only pay pauses in the Banking sector

[Clanrickard]

The private sector subsidizes the public sector. The public sector got increases through benchmarking on the back of private sector success. Many people who got wealthy through hard work, talent and most of all risk taking. Take away the incentive to take risk by high taxes and we have a nation of 9 to 5ers.

[gazdub]

I go only go by my friends and family in the private sector but so far none of them have taken a pay cut and the majority in fact seem quiet confidant that their jobs are safe and they cant see a pay cut in the offing.

[H.R. Haldeman]

I repeat "put up or shut up"

Ok

Job losses reached highest ever level in January - The Irish Times - Tue, Feb 03, 2009

JOB LOSSES surged to their highest ever level in January, as 6,708 people were made redundant, renewing fears that dole queues will spiral in 2009.

So the question for you is this: how many of these people are public sector and how many private sector?

Another question: does a pay cut of 100% satisfy your criteria, or should we look for examples of more severe cuts?

Two questions - your time starts.....now!

[adamirer]

reprase: which of AIB, BOI, Anglo, Quinn, VHI, Ryanair, IL+P, Dunnes, Tescos, CRH, Easons, Microsoft, debenhams, mcdonalds.... have taken pau cuts?

[gazdub]

Can you tell us where your "friends and family" work so we can all go apply for a job there?

Well they dont all work in the same place. Im only stating my personal experiences. Im sure there are other people who have the exact opposite experience.

[ibis]

reprase: which of AIB, BOI, Anglo, Quinn, VHI, Ryanair, IL+P, Dunnes, Tescos, CRH, Easons, Microsoft, debenhams, mcdonalds.... have taken pau cuts?

It's easier to shed people than get them to take a pay cut. Say you have a business employing 100 people. If you paycut everyone 10%, you've got 100 upset employees. If you cut the workforce by 10%, you've got 90 relieved employees instead, plus 10 people who are no longer your problem. Brutal but true.