Today, 250,000 Irish public sector workers go on strike. As I drove to work today seeing the picketers outside their various workplaces I wondered who was really winning as a result of today’s action?
Photo courtesy of infomatique (cc)
Is it the weakest in society - those that are mostly served by public sector workers? Nurses, teachers, care workers, social workers, social welfare workers all care for and attend to those in greatest need.
Is it the unions? They are calling the strikes because the government won’t listen to their proposals for public sector pay proposals. By shutting down public services for the day they are sending a shot across the bow with this show of strength in advance of the upcoming budget.
Is it public sector workers? They are striking because of the fear of further pay cuts, the extent of which no one knows yet. Today they will lose 0.4% of their annual take home pay. A few more of these strikes and 2 or 3% government pay cut would be seem paltry.
Is it their colleageues in the private sector? Those that still have jobs probably got into work quicker this morning and were indeed a little relieved about that. Many others had to stay at home from work to look after children, elderly and sick relatives. They will do this using annual leave or if they have none left at this time of year will be taking unpaid leave.
Is it the economy? We’re spending billions on trying to undo the damage done to us by bankers who will never pay. Internationally our reputation is in tatters. Today will mean more people will have less money to spend to support the real economy and overall there will be less confidence that we can fix things ourselves quickly.
Is it the government? The government needs to save €4 billion in this budget we are told. Today will save them €100 million in wages, the largest part of their spend. That sounds like a good day’s work.
November 24, 2009 at 2:20 pm
In my opinion the public sector are the only people with permanent jobs for life, there were no strikes when they let go all the contract staff like myself and numerous private sector workers have lost their jobs, I don’t know how much of a pay cut they are talking about, but at the end of the day would it make much difference if someone on 500-600 euro a week was cut by €5.00/ €10.00 or even €20.00 a week??? There are people out there living on social welfare getting just over €200 a week?
Thats just my opinion
November 24, 2009 at 2:50 pm
A
November 24, 2009 at 3:35 pm
259,300 public service personnel on strike. Average Wage is €974.00 per week (Gross average excl health sector) = €50,563,500.00 in savings for the government . Just 3-4 weeks more of strikes and they will have the €1bn they are looking for.
November 25, 2009 at 11:55 am
Good to see Farmers and Small Firms Association hitting out against Public Sector Strike action.
Protest AGAINST Public Sector Protests!
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Protest-AGAINST-Public-Sector-Protests/182422904961?ref=mf
November 26, 2009 at 12:07 pm
Ah, I’ve figured out who the real winners were – the retailers in Newry:
http://www.reuters.com/article/oddlyEnoughNews/idUSTRE5AO3AG20091125
(I’m sure it must be embarassing for unions leaders that Reuters published this internationally in their “Oddly Enough News” section.)
December 7, 2009 at 12:54 am
As one of the low paid and non permanent members of the public sector who was not in Newry, looks like I’ll be shopping else where for my car insurance next year!
December 7, 2009 at 11:50 am
Sorry to hear that Ceoltoirin. What is unfortunate in all of this is that both private and public sectors workers, who are not responsible for this recession, have suffered already over the past months. Make no mistake, the budget on Wednesday will not be kind to private sector workers either, it is just that the union leaders don’t seem to be as concerned with tax hikes, pay cuts, redundancies and pension cuts in the private sector.
December 10, 2009 at 1:03 pm
Reckon more public strikes to come after that budget. Only winners will be the retail in the North