Poll: Does your income come from the government?

Does Your Income Come From the Government?

  • Yes, I work in the public sector

    Votes: 132 22.1%

  • No, I work in the private sector

    Votes: 425 71.2%

  • Yes, I live on benefits

    Votes: 33 5.5%

  • I work for both the private and public sector.

    Votes: 7 1.2%
  • Total voters
    597
The government has no resources to cover a strike, it'll be a lot different from last time as Matt Wrack is no government lackie. It would have to be a change to working conditions and a new contract to increase contributions and if it's like London (sign this or we sack you) expect resistance that is not futile.

Do you really want a fire engine full of pensioners coming to your rescue?
 
eddiemcgarrigle said:
The government has no resources to cover a strike, it'll be a lot different from last time as Matt Wrack is no government lackie. It would have to be a change to working conditions and a new contract to increase contributions and if it's like London (sign this or we sack you) expect resistance that is not futile.

Do you really want a fire engine full of pensioners coming to your rescue?
Click to expand...

Do you really think you can hold the country to ransom with emotional blackmail given the average number of qualified applicants per vacancy in the fire service?
 
Yes, work in a university as technical support for labs so it comes through the government.

60%+ rejected latest pay offer of 0.4% so likely to be talks of a strike once the Scottish budget is announced next week. Research that the department does is one of the largest contributors to private income so need to wait and see how any science cuts affect us.
 
eddiemcgarrigle said:
The government has no resources to cover a strike, it'll be a lot different from last time as Matt Wrack is no government lackie. It would have to be a change to working conditions and a new contract to increase contributions and if it's like London (sign this or we sack you) expect resistance that is not futile.

Do you really want a fire engine full of pensioners coming to your rescue?
Click to expand...

If the government increase all public sector pension employee contributions by 3% across the board (proposed) then I guess people can strike all they want (except for coppers I suppose) but I doubt they will get any public support regardless of what area of the public sector it is that strikes.

If it affected me then I would be annoyed but then I would also be glad to have a job and also realise that the current pension provisions are unsustainable and , though it may hurt, is necessary.
 
The government has mishandled and abused the cash pot that is known as public sector pensions for many years. Now it is no longer possible to draw from it they intend to make contributors cough up more to cover their excesses.

Dolph, I am really fed up with this idiotic argument that x many applicants apply for each fire brigade job therefore, firefighters should be regarded as unskilled monkeys and paid peanuts. No doubt you hold the view that we sit around all day, swilling tea and watching telly.

Would I be right in thinking that you intend to stand as a tory MP at the next election? You seem to have the mindset of an etonian snob and would be perfectly suited.

Richie, yes, I am glad to have a job in the current economic climate but it is this very economic climate that leads to an increase in firefighting. Lots of people who are close to losing their ailing business seem to suddenly become victims of arsonists which leads to an increase in my workload. There are plenty of other ways to recoup the required revenue without attacking public service pensions.
 
eddiemcgarrigle said:
The government has mishandled and abused the cash pot that is known as public sector pensions for many years. Now it is no longer possible to draw from it they intend to make contributors cough up more to cover their excesses.
Click to expand...

Same as the private sector pensions after Brown stole £100bn from them really then ;)

Dolph, I am really fed up with this idiotic argument that x many applicants apply for each fire brigade job therefore, firefighters should be regarded as unskilled monkeys and paid peanuts. No doubt you hold the view that we sit around all day, swilling tea and watching telly.
Click to expand...

That's your implication, not mine. Mine is simply that pay and conditions are above what they need to be were the employment market for firefighting professionals open and free.

Would I be right in thinking that you intend to stand as a tory MP at the next election? You seem to have the mindset of an etonian snob and would be perfectly suited.
Click to expand...

No, you wouldn't.
 
eddiemcgarrigle said:
The government has mishandled and abused the cash pot that is known as public sector pensions for many years. Now it is no longer possible to draw from it they intend to make contributors cough up more to cover their excesses.
Click to expand...

Oh I understand where you are coming from... When the pot was overflowing, the government dipped into it for other projects whenever they wanted but now its at a deficit, do you see them putting any of it back? :mad:


Richie, yes, I am glad to have a job in the current economic climate but it is this very economic climate that leads to an increase in firefighting. Lots of people who are close to losing their ailing business seem to suddenly become victims of arsonists which leads to an increase in my workload. There are plenty of other ways to recoup the required revenue without attacking public service pensions.
Click to expand...

This will be the same for all emergency services, most probably with the police getting the biggest workload increase followed by medical then fire. Not trying to minimise your point but, IMHO, that's how the increase will go.

It just seems that the Fire Service are resistant of ANY changes that are asked of them (look at the very recent Tayside proposal of sharing control rooms with police which the Fire Service deem as "premature" :confused: ) whereas I haven't heard of paramedics etc doing the same. Police are a different matter as they are unable to strike so they kind of need to suck it up regardless....

Hopefully you can give your perspective on this as a Firefighter.
 
Our Union is currently in talks with management about our annual pay rise. They have walked out of the last 2 meetings. I can see a definite possibility of us going on strike next year.
 
neodude said:
Our Union is currently in talks with management about our annual pay rise. They have walked out of the last 2 meetings. I can see a definite possibility of us going on strike next year.
Click to expand...

It's more than likely we'll be seeing a pay freeze for the next couple of years in addition to increased contributions to the pension scheme. With the rejection of 0.4% it's going to be tough for our management to persuade us to accept the new conditions, given the increased pressure from the record number of students.

Unite have been negotiating and basically gave a very grim outlook with 10% staff cuts and increased number of foreign (paying) students just to keep the current budget without taking into account the 25% cut over the next five years. Once all the cuts are sorted out probably the main people to lose out will be Scottish students with the introduction of some kind of fee with cuts in places/courses.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom