Vardinhio Posted 2 December 2011 Posted 2 December 2011 I work for the Ministry of Defence, hardly any of us were striking. Having worked in the private sector I have a fairly balanced view. Primarily I believe the decision to strike stinks as I feel lots of people in the Civil Service have used it as an excuse for a day off, however I do have respect those people who are actually out there making a point on the street (not getting their hair done). Ultimately people are upset, understandably, as their Ts and Cs of work are changing to their detriment, this is not what they signed up for etc. The public sector has to realise it gets other perks aside from pension, shorter working hours (generally), flexitime etc. These pension changes suck but we will still have a favourable deal to those in the private sector. All in all, get on with it, strikes damage the country.
Saxondale Posted 2 December 2011 Posted 2 December 2011 [Applause dies.] Host: Thankyou, our guest speaker today was Bluebrett with his clinical assessment of the Welfare State. Brett studied at the 'University of Life' within the 'School of Hard Knocks and Short Sharp Shocks', graduating with a BA Hons in Political Understanding. Brett carefully researched the above paper using the tried and tested academic methodology of reading a few newspapers and talking to his Mum and Dad. Another round of applause for Brett please. So if you don't have a doctorate in political sciences, you're not allowed to have a political opinion? Or is this because Brett's views are not in line with you're own and, therefore, you've concluded that they're not based on correct information and/or sound reasoning?
Vardinhio Posted 2 December 2011 Posted 2 December 2011 Primarily I believe the decision to strike stinks as I feel lots of people in the Civil Service have used it as an excuse for a day off, however I do have respect those people who are actually out there making a point on the street (not getting their hair done). Ultimately people are upset, understandably, as their Ts and Cs of work are changing to their detriment, this is not what they signed up for etc. The public sector has to realise it gets other perks aside from pension, shorter working hours (generally), flexitime etc. These pension changes suck but we will still have a favourable deal to those in the private sector. All in all, get on with it, strikes damage the country.
Rincewind Posted 2 December 2011 Posted 2 December 2011 Very good poem Nick. Only skimmed through it will read again later or print off. From what I read it is saying that many stand by not caring about the fate of others and when it comes to them wanting help there is no one left. A lot of people do not know the real reasons for the strike, the complex ins and outs, I know I don't but I don't jump on the band wagon that others have because a headline in a newspaper ilike the Mail. I am not a teacher, nurse, doctor, fireman or any of the workers affected by the pension plans so I will not judge. People have complained about 'self interest' by the strikers then go on to moan how they were inconvenienced for a day 'Oh poor me I had to walk to work' Find a baby sitter' There is a lot of self interest these days sadly and it started in the eighties with the Thatcher years. She installed the I'm allright Jack' culture which is around today.
Guest MattP Posted 2 December 2011 Posted 2 December 2011 Actually no. It's about a series of pension schemes and the members who make the contributions to them resisting plans to unilaterally impose changes in terms and conditions. The idea that taxpayers in general are forking out massive subsidies to these schemes is one the government and their numerous media pals would love us all to believe, but isn't actually true. The fact that the general public support the strikes by a margin of two to one, despite the absence of support for them by ANY major newspaper or the leadership of any political party, is a clear sign of who's winning the argument. And with many ex-Tories and ex-LibDems among the participants, the pressure for a settlement will grow. :crylaugh: Didn't realise the Socialist Worker conducted a poll this time Ac?
Guest MattP Posted 2 December 2011 Posted 2 December 2011 Anyway did they all manage to get their christmas shopping done? Or have we having another strike next week?
Rincewind Posted 2 December 2011 Posted 2 December 2011 So all the talk of being given a bad deal over pensions has gone over your head and the talk of they are only striking to do have a day off to do a bit of shopping has hit home. Nice. Not much more to say.
Guest MattP Posted 2 December 2011 Posted 2 December 2011 So all the talk of being given a bad deal over pensions has gone over your head and the talk of they are only striking to do have a day off to do a bit of shopping has hit home. Nice. Not much more to say. I think I've made my opinions clear on how it isnt a bad deal earlier on, it's laughable if anyone actually thinks its a "bad deal". If you really think its that bad go and see how much an average public sector pension in the teaching industry would cost you to purchase on the private market.
Guest BlueBrett Posted 2 December 2011 Posted 2 December 2011 Host: Thankyou, our guest speaker today was Bluebrett with his clinical assessment of the Welfare State. Brett studied at the 'University of Life' within the 'School of Hard Knocks and Short Sharp Shocks', graduating with a BA Hons in Political Understanding. Brett carefully researched the above paper using the tried and tested academic methodology of reading a few newspapers and talking to his Mum and Dad. Another round of applause for Brett ple My opinions on the matter are based on my ideology and impression of what constitutes fairness. I'd love to see a public sector worker who went on strike yesterday try to claim the same and keep a straight face. I don't have to justify myself to you but, just so you know, I have a first class BA Hons. in Politcial Science. What are your credentials smartarse?
Guest MattP Posted 2 December 2011 Posted 2 December 2011 [Applause dies.] Host: Thankyou, our guest speaker today was Bluebrett with his clinical assessment of the Welfare State. Brett studied at the 'University of Life' within the 'School of Hard Knocks and Short Sharp Shocks', graduating with a BA Hons in Political Understanding. Brett carefully researched the above paper using the tried and tested academic methodology of reading a few newspapers and talking to his Mum and Dad. Another round of applause for Brett please. Oh god, it's no wonder why some folk find the left so arrogant and repulsive. Feel like Billy Bragg has driven in from his Dorset mansion to lecture us.
Bob Weasel Fox Posted 2 December 2011 Posted 2 December 2011 The job i do currently forbids me from going on strike and generally speaking i dont agree with this action, however i happen to support those who have on this occassion
Reynard Bleu Posted 2 December 2011 Posted 2 December 2011 My opinions on the matter are based on my ideology and impression of what constitutes fairness. I'd love to see a public sector worker who went on strike yesterday try to claim the same and keep a straight face. I don't have to justify myself to you but, just so you know, I have a first class BA Hons. in Politcial Science. What are your credentials smartarse? But fairness and politics seem to be unreconcilable?
Houdini Logic Posted 2 December 2011 Posted 2 December 2011 My opinions on the matter are based on my ideology and impression of what constitutes fairness. Calling them selfish f***ers and saying they should be ashamed. That's a fair and balanced debate
Nick Posted 2 December 2011 Posted 2 December 2011 Calling them selfish f***ers and saying they should be ashamed. That's a fair and balanced debate Quite.
Babylon Posted 2 December 2011 Posted 2 December 2011 Calling them selfish f***ers and saying they should be ashamed. That's a fair and balanced debate He's one shooting away from a Clarkson.
Nick Posted 2 December 2011 Posted 2 December 2011 My opinions on the matter are based on my ideology and impression of what constitutes fairness. I'd love to see a public sector worker who went on strike yesterday try to claim the same and keep a straight face. I don't have to justify myself to you but, just so you know, I have a first class BA Hons. in Politcial Science. What are your credentials smartarse? Really? During your second and third year studies of 'research methodologies' where did you learn that your 'impression' was the most reliable output with the least amount of variables?
Nick Posted 2 December 2011 Posted 2 December 2011 Oh god, it's no wonder why some folk find the left so arrogant and repulsive. Feel like Billy Bragg has driven in from his Dorset mansion to lecture us. Because you don't come across like that at all. Take a look back at some of your posts and you'll find far more offensive, arrogant and ignorant remarks.
Saxondale Posted 2 December 2011 Posted 2 December 2011 Because you don't come across like that at all. Take a look back at some of your posts and you'll find far more offensive, arrogant and ignorant remarks. What's more arrogant? Matt expressing an opinion (however much you disagree with it) or you dismissing others' opinions as ill-founded?
Nick Posted 2 December 2011 Posted 2 December 2011 What's more arrogant? Matt expressing an opinion (however much you disagree with it) or you dismissing others' opinions as ill-founded? Expressing an opinion is one thing, stating that the public sector is aspiration-less is quite simply, ill founded, ignorant and fully worth dismissing. 'Bornblue' is that reference to Leicester City or the Tory Party?
Saxondale Posted 2 December 2011 Posted 2 December 2011 Expressing an opinion is one thing, stating that the public sector is aspiration-less is quite simply, ill founded, ignorant and fully worth dismissing. Because you don't agree with him? 'Bornblue' is that reference to Leicester City or the Tory Party? Is Nick a reference to Nicking off tax payers to fund the public sector? PS. I wish I'd been born into blue blood, my life would be a lot easier, believe me! PPS. No, I was literally born blue, I'm actually a smurf.
Guest MattP Posted 2 December 2011 Posted 2 December 2011 'Bornblue' is that reference to Leicester City or the Tory Party? "Nick" Is that a reference to your name or what you do off the taxpayer?
Finnegan Posted 2 December 2011 Posted 2 December 2011 "Nick" Is that a reference to your name or what you do off the taxpayer? Oof, too slow.
Nick Posted 2 December 2011 Posted 2 December 2011 Because you don't agree with him? Is Nick a reference to Nicking off tax payers to fund the public sector? PS. I wish I'd been born into blue blood, my life would be a lot easier, believe me! PPS. No, I was literally born blue, I'm actually a smurf. I've generated three times my salary in revenue for the agency I work for this year alone - mainly training various private sector industries how to be more effective in making money and delivering services and products. But I wouldn't expect anybody on here to even know how areas of the public sector support private industry. I've also been headhunted by various private sector organisations on numerous occasions - I chose to remain where I was on a smaller salary (with a better pension, yes) to provide a more individualised, quality service to the most vulnerable in society, rather than a crap service, provided by the lowest bidder, based on the greater good. It's a little more complicated than true or false arguments being banded about on here, branding public sector workers in a despicable light - what I do every day isn't just about me and what I get of it.
Saxondale Posted 2 December 2011 Posted 2 December 2011 I've generated three times my salary in revenue for the agency I work for this year alone - mainly training various private sector industries how to be more effective in making money and delivering services and products. But I wouldn't expect anybody on here to even know how areas of the public sector support private industry. I've also been headhunted by various private sector organisations on numerous occasions - I chose to remain where I was on a smaller salary (with a better pension, yes) to provide a more individualised, quality service to the most vulnerable in society, rather than a crap service, provided by the lowest bidder, based on the greater good. It's a little more complicated than true or false arguments being banded about on here, branding public sector workers in a despicable light - what I do every day isn't just about me and what I get of it. I don't want to criticise anybody individually for what they do in the public or private sector. My misses is a teacher so the world of the public sector is far from alien to me. My opinions about this strike and all the issues that surround it are purely based on my own principles. Just to explain my position: Though i'm not prepared to get into a 'I'm from a poorer background than you' competition, I grew up in a not very well off family. This taught me the value of money and therefore I want to keep hold of as much of what I earn as possible. On this basis, I subscribe to the old conservative (with a small 'c'), libertarian principles of low taxes and slimline government and public sector with minimal state intervention and free markets. I appreciate that not everybody subscribes to these beliefs and respect that, but I just wanted to illustrate that just because my beliefs would be described as 'conservative', I'm not a blue-blooded, fox-hunting, privately educated person who's had a hand in life from my parents and their money. I'm the opposite!
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