View Full Version : Public Sector Strikes
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-15704451
Brian Strutton, national officer of the GMB union, said: "Maude's proposal for a 15-minute strike is a daft idea. We are asking members to vote for a strike not a tea break."
But Mr Maude said a whole day of industrial action, amid ongoing negotiations and after just a quarter of the unions' members had taken part in ballots, would strengthen the case for law changes to demand minimum turnouts for valid strike votes.
"The turnouts have been very low and, you know, I've got to say to the union leaders, if they actually call a strike based on a ballot where only just more than a quarter of those balloted actually bothered to vote at all then the pressure to change the law to set some kind of turnout threshold will really become very, very hard to resist," added Mr Maude.
This 15-minute walkout idea is a lot to do with winning the hearts and minds of the wider public in this battle over public sector pensions.
The government wants to appear to be the conciliatory and reasonable negotiator with unions and sway wavering voters who may feel as if it was bullying them.
The 'token strike' notion comes a week after the coalition made a revised offer to unions that no-one within 10 years of retirement would have to work longer to get their full pension.
These carrots from ministers come with a big stick, however.
If public sector unions press ahead with their 'mega strike' at the end of the month, then the government may look hard at reforming strike legislation. That could mean at least half of union members would have to have cast their ballots before a strike became legitimate. Only a quarter of public sector union members voted for the forthcoming walkout.
If the government are planning to revise the strike legislation as regards the number of votes necessary to legitimise a strike ballot, then perhaps they ought to give general elections the same consideration... in which case none of these bastards would hold a seat in government, nor the lot of tossers that preceded them. :yeah:
Not that any of them can think themselves 'elected'; tony declared a 'landslide victory' following 2 labour successes with some of the poorest voter turnouts since WW2. And lets not even go there with the 'coalition' (of the incompetent) who didn't even get enough delineating votes to have a clear winner of any political denomination... and don't forget one of the first decisions they made was to give themselves an extra year in government.
Pft so much talk, all of it empty. Every time I hear a politician speak these days I just want to punch them in the face and tell them to piss off.
Same old same old... labour spends all of the money, then the tories take all of the money, lib-dems? well as usual they know damn all about anything.
Is it any wonder there's little point in actually voting when the choice is from such a narrow pool of venal incompetents?
For the record, I'd be pretty angry about reduced pensions and longer working years too. Can you imagine the noise if it were politicians pensions and salaries being cut? Handy that they get to vote on their own pay and benefits and terms, ain't it?
Bloody lot of 'em should be on minimum wage, see how fast things would change for the better with that, not to mention they'd not be allowed to have 'other jobs' alongside their office as an MP. Might focus their minds a little. :x
I believe the unemployed and pensioners are going to get a kick in the teeth next April seeing there rise in benefits & pensions downgraded. As you know this is all done on this September's inflation figures.
And in 2013 all unemployed with be forced to do slave work for nothing!
400,000 jobs..2.5 million unemployed, that's over 100 people chasing ever vacancy.
Jimbuna
11-12-11, 04:35 PM
I don't see public sector workers having any other choice than to go on strike...either that or simply lie down and let the government walk all over you.
Good luck to them I say....yet another classic example of politicians performing double standards.
Reinforces my belief I chose the best option two years ago when I took ER/VR :yep:
Smash the corrupt state. :yep:
I believe the unemployed and pensioners are going to get a kick in the teeth next April seeing there rise in benefits & pensions downgraded. As you know this is all done on this September's inflation figures.
And in 2013 all unemployed with be forced to do slave work for nothing!
400,000 jobs..2.5 million unemployed, that's over 100 people chasing ever vacancy.
Quicker than you think... like this year, so it's happening already mate.
I'm soon to be 'referred' as a client to one of these government subsidised private companies to help my chances of employment. Previously these companies got paid regardless of their 'clients' finding work. New rules say they only get paid when they've found the client work. You know what that means... any old rubbish for you so we get government money! Square peg, round hole and all that. I fail to see how it will be anything other than a retrograde step for me - judging by my previous experience over the last 20 years or so with schemes like these, they always cost me something important, whilst the companies involved make a tidy profit. Make no mistake; they have no sense of altruism here, it's all about the money. Their money. Yours too if you're a taxpayer.
I'm not taking warehouse jobs (not the ones in my area anyway) - the last time I did that my shift hours kept getting cut so I'd get sent home along with half the shift of other temps. Of course when you're not clocked in and grafting, you don't get paid. And what's the use of a full time job that doesn't always pay you enough to fulfil all of your ever increasing living costs? Over half of the shift I was on left because they couldn't earn enough to keep themselves going - you'd arrive on site at 6am either to be told to go home we don't need you today, or you'd be sent home at the first break after 3 or 4 hours.
That's an example of one of those private sector companies who the government think (or say) are going to save the economy. Pfaugh, better off trusting it to a banker, at least you know he's going to **** you and not be shy about it.
And here's another example: Not so long back my cousin was made redundant from his full time job at Catapillar, along with over half of their full time staff. CAT took on a load of work scheme young lads from one of these jobcentre contracted private companies I've mentioned already. CAT got paid a subsidy to employ these lads for 6 weeks, the private contractor got paid to 'find the jobs' and the young lads got 6 weeks work at min wage, then let go. Then the whole process was repeated with another group of the unemployed.
It's sheer genius! What a great way for companies to make money, at the expense of their full time salaried and skilled workforce.
I've filled out so many applications for jobs you never hear back from. Hassled agencies who never find you work (parasites that they are). You are either overqualified for menial jobs of under qualified for all of those niche senior manager positions there are always a plethora of.
I used to have a good job with a little prospect for the future. Now I have FA. Can't go back to school and learn something new; it's all too expensive. I'm not even treading water like I was before... Limbo is where it's at for sure.
It's sickening, jim, it really is. Anyone with a job now would be a fool to not stand up and fight for what they've still got left. It's either that or end up with no job at all, or a job that leaves them with practically nothing to show for it.
I know there's many complexities to all of this, but I don't believe we are 'all in it together', not by a very long way indeed. The sort of rhetoric we are spoon-fed all day about the flagging economy and the rising debt is very bitter to swallow when you had no hand in making it come to pass - I worked and saved and lived within my means for the most part, did what I was supposed to do and was as financially responsible as I could be given my then level of income combined with that of my ex. Yet here I am scratching out an existence listening to the very people who were supposed to have oversight of the economy tell me and you and everyone else in this country that we're going to have to pay for something we didn't spend in the first place.
Just goes to show - you're better off doing what you want and stick two fingers up to anyone who tells you otherwise.
Quicker than you think... like this year, so it's happening already mate.
I'm soon to be 'referred' as a client to one of these government subsidised private companies to help my chances of employment. Previously these companies got paid regardless of their 'clients' finding work. New rules say they only get paid when they've found the client work. You know what that means... any old rubbish for you so we get government money! Square peg, round hole and all that. I fail to see how it will be anything other than a retrograde step for me - judging by my previous experience over the last 20 years or so with schemes like these, they always cost me something important, whilst the companies involved make a tidy profit.
Sounds more like an opportunity than anything. Any chance of starting up one of these companies? Could be quite lucrative with 2.5million "clients" to help.:hmmm::03:
Quicker than you think... like this year, so it's happening already mate.
I'm soon to be 'referred' as a client to one of these government subsidised private companies to help my chances of employment. Previously these companies got paid regardless of their 'clients' finding work.
I'm already in that boat jumpy, word of warning follow all the rules. I was told by these people if I fail to complete there tasks all money is stopped for ever!
Any how they had me logging on to there site watching videos on how to..well you know. Have to apply to 20 jobs a week send them all the details and correspondence along with my monthly meeting where tasks are set for me to do. One of them was to send out letters offering my services for a few hours a week which is find by me but not one as yet has contacted me.
I just hope I bloody get a job next year as after that forced slave labour is what will be next.
BTW: Agency's are a bloody con! All they want is your CV for there database so they can pick up there EU pay check!
I've noticed more and more agency's are coming about.
40's is the new 50's
Jimbuna
11-12-11, 05:30 PM
It's sickening, jim, it really is.
Coming from and still living in an area with a long history of social depravation I hope you'll trust me when I say 'I can imagine how you must be feeling' :yep:
My main concern is the fact there doesn't seem to be an answer or at least someone coming up with a solution they are willing to try :nope:
papa_smurf
11-12-11, 05:30 PM
Smash the corrupt state. :yep:
Ooohhh.....you proper anarchist:D
Sounds more like an opportunity than anything. Any chance of starting up one of these companies? Could be quite lucrative with 2.5million "clients" to help.:hmmm::03:
It's catch 22 though ain't it... you gotta be in it to win it as they say :hmmm:
I'm already in that boat jumpy, word of warning follow all the rules. I was told by these people if I fail to complete there tasks all money is stopped for ever!
Any how they had me logging on to there site watching videos on how to..well you know. Have to apply to 20 jobs a week send them all the details and correspondence along with my monthly meeting where tasks are set for me to do. One of them was to send out letters offering my services for a few hours a week which is find by me but not one as yet has contacted me.
I just hope I bloody get a job next year as after that forced slave labour is what will be next.
BTW: Agency's are a bloody con! All they want is your CV for there database so they can pick up there EU pay check!
I've noticed more and more agency's are coming about.
40's is the new 50's
Great, it's as bad as I was already anticipating, micky mouse bs with no clear objective.
What do these people think I do with all my spare time?! I tell you, the last two years of my life would have been immeasurably more productive and stable, benefiting my long term goals and my current health (both physical and psychological) had I been gainfully employed in a proper job as opposed to temping for little or no prospects. It would have made so many things just that little bit more bearable, not least the breakup of my long term relationship and subsequent emotional dissolution; it would have been something to focus on and cling to a little stability.
Coming from and still living in an area with a long history of social depravation I hope you'll trust me when I say 'I can imagine how you must be feeling' :yep:
My main concern is the fact there doesn't seem to be an answer or at least someone coming up with a solution they are willing to try :nope:
Cheers jim. Sadly no solution will be complete without proper employers offering proper, salaried, full time jobs to people. But they are all waiting on the government, who are waiting on the banks, who are waiting on all the debt. And so on. It would seem that our own cleverness has trapped us in a cycle of, as near as it makes any real difference, depression.
I just want to go back to doing the job I enjoyed and was good at. That's not too much to ask.
boo-hiss.
Good news is...
You can use there PC's to do job hunting.
Free paper and envelopes.
Free postage.
Free water.
Read all the newspapers.
And in my case miles away which will cost me two buses and no money back, apart from the monthly meeting.
The only good thing I can say they are nice unlike the faceless wonders in the JC.
I have done all that must be done to get back to work but clearly my age has gone against me, and how do I know that?
The odd phone call, good CV just one quick question how old are you?
No such thing as age discrimination my rump.
hmm, so basically I'll have to travel to do exactly what I do at home every day? Add to that the minor saving of free postage, paper and envelopes - I know I'm unemployed, but I can still afford to send letters and get cheap photocopies! And 9/10 jobs are apply via email.
If that's the limit of their assistance for what the government will be paying them I'm not sure I think much to that. Doesn't seem like they're pushing the boat out much.
Yer, there's discrimination of all sorts out there :down:
Jimbuna
11-12-11, 06:46 PM
My sincerest best wishes to you both in your continual efforts :sunny:
Problem is jumpy, Cameron and Co have no idea what is going on. I think no government minister visits these places, they go by look what we created all these places to help the unemployed back to work.
We are giving them lots of help! :rolleyes:
Minimum resources and not forgetting while your with these people your no longer on the unemployed figures. :rolleyes:
Just like you jumpy I do it all from home.
My sincerest best wishes to you both in your continual efforts :sunny:
Thank jim. :up:
I get fed up being lumped in with the lazy sods who choose not to work. I'm not one of them, I've rather be working than this stagnation.
Feels great to be a pawn in the grand social experiment of the decade, comrades.
Ah well, sleepy time for me.
Feels great to be a pawn in the grand social experiment of the decade, comrades.
Ah well, sleepy time for me.:up:
nikimcbee
11-21-11, 02:00 AM
@ you UKers:
What is retirement age in the UK?
BossMark
11-21-11, 02:49 AM
At the moment 65 for men 60 for women, but our rotten Tory government want to raise it (not sure what to)
Jimbuna
11-21-11, 03:08 AM
Under the current rules, the State Pension Age for women is in the process of rising from 60 to 65 to equalise with men; and then state pension age for both men and women was due to increase from 65 to 66 between 2024 and 2026. The Pensions Bill is bringing forward the timing of equalisation and the rise in the State Pension Age from 65 to 66 for both men and women.
Under the new legislation, women’s state pension age will reach 65 by November 2018.
The rise from 65 to 66 for both men and women will happen more slowly than the Government had originally planned and will be complete by October 2020.
The Government's change will lead to an earlier state pension age for just under half a million people. It particularly affects women born in 1953 and 1954 many of whom previously faced a delay of up to 2 years before they could claim their state pension.
http://www.ageuk.org.uk/money-matters/pensions/how-the-pensions-bill-will-affect-you/?ito=2255&itc=0&gclid=CKzimMSix6wCFUEb4QodOniRpg
Of course Buna got out with his occupational pension at age 52 :smug:
At the moment 65 for men 60 for women, but our rotten Tory government want to raise it (not sure what to)
Side note...the compulsive retirement has been scrapped I believe.
Jimbuna
11-22-11, 04:34 PM
Side note...the compulsive retirement has been scrapped I believe.
That came about as a result of the Age Discrimination Act 2006:
http://www.laterlife.com/laterlife-age-discrimination-legislation-employers.htm
As a point that was broached on question time the other day (I think) - If older people are staying in the workplace for longer, where are all the jobs fro the up an coming young people going to come from, where previously those who retired made way for those entering the jobs market?
Don't think the leadership thought about that one too hard.
Jimbuna
11-22-11, 07:36 PM
I'm guessing they've done the sums...cheaper to pay JSA than State Pension.
As a point that was broached on question time the other day (I think) - If older people are staying in the workplace for longer
And adding to our problem in getting back to work.
But I don't hold it against them in the times we live in now.
Jimbuna
11-25-11, 01:33 PM
I should imagine it's a very hard decision to make in these times of austerity.
Platapus
11-25-11, 03:07 PM
As a point that was broached on question time the other day (I think) - If older people are staying in the workplace for longer, where are all the jobs fro the up an coming young people going to come from, where previously those who retired made way for those entering the jobs market?
That's the viscous circle here. Parents are working longer because they have to support their unemployed adult kids still living at home. :damn:
I have a strong fear that we will be supporting one of The Frau's kids for the rest of our lives. :damn::damn: Unless we can find some chump to get her married off to. Then I will probably end up supporting the both of them.:damn::damn::damn:
Retirement in my generation sure is looking a lot different from the retirement of my parent's generation.
My old man is living a well deserved retirement, banging his girlfriend and generally raising hell where ever he goes. :yeah:
As for me, I think I will have to schedule my funeral for the afternoon as I will probably be working that morning. :damn::damn::damn:
Crikey I am all depressed again. :-?
Jimbuna
11-25-11, 04:14 PM
That's the viscous circle here. Parents are working longer because they have to support their unemployed adult kids still living at home. :damn:
I have a strong fear that we will be supporting one of The Frau's kids for the rest of our lives. :damn::damn: Unless we can find some chump to get her married off to. Then I will probably end up supporting the both of them.:damn::damn::damn:
Retirement in my generation sure is looking a lot different from the retirement of my parent's generation.
My old man is living a well deserved retirement, banging his girlfriend and generally raising hell where ever he goes. :yeah:
As for me, I think I will have to schedule my funeral for the afternoon as I will probably be working that morning. :damn::damn::damn:
Crikey I am all depressed again. :-?
LOL :DL
Good post also :up:
Jimbuna
11-28-11, 12:45 PM
Now they're seeking £20bn from pension funds :doh:
Pension funds urged to join £30bn infrastructure plan
Chancellor George Osborne plans to attract billions of pounds from British pension funds to boost £30bn worth of infrastructure schemes.
The government is expected to provide £5bn of the money by 2014-15 while it is "targeting" £20bn to come from big British funds.
But the Institute for Fiscal Studies said the £5bn figure was "pretty small" compared with cuts to capital spending.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-15914145
Jimbuna
11-29-11, 10:32 AM
Talk about compounding matters :nope:
Chancellor George Osborne has announced public sector pay rises are to be capped at 1% for two years, in his update on the state of the economy.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-15931086
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