Texts and emails, Wednesday 3 February 2010
Topic: The Public Sector Work to Rule.
Panellists: Blair Horan of the CPSU, Louise O'Reilly
from SIPTU and Fine Gael TD Leo Varadkar.
What the public sector workers are experiencing at the
moment is universally known as the 'Mohawk Valley Formula.' This is the
scientific method used by the private sector, business interests and right-wing
governments to turn public opinion against the strikers. It has been used time
and time again in the United States and elsewhere. The fact that we are even
talking about cutting and reforming the public sector is a major victory for
the private sector because that gets zero attention or even a mention of reform
and they are the ones who caused this crisis.
Alan, D5.
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The new advert sequencing is much better, please retain.
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I cannot believe u are being so cool about 'head shops ' i
am a mother of young teens and the less temptation they have on their door step
,the better . I cannot believe they are allowed.
An anxious mum.
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How insensitive of your panel. Stop talking down something
important to families who r suffering because of these head shop.
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Much better. Too many breaks spoil the discussion. I say
'hands off sick people'. The health service is bad enough without this.
Kathy.
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You are going to be in big trouble regarding your comments
on 'head shops'.
Anne , Wexford.
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I’m currently on social welfare & would prefer not to
be, but believe the 'lucky to have a job' rhetoric that currently prevails is
deeply retrograde. When & if I do return to work, I do not want it to be in
such an environment of doffing the cap & being grateful for what u get
irrespective of lousy work & pay conditions.
Nuala.
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Leo is vg at selling his political product by being sharp,
witty & descriptive of the problems in a layman perception and has
solutions like his colleague Kieron O'Donnell thus would be strong with floating
vote.
Nigel McGrath.
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The unions will bring this country to its knees, those 2
union leaders don’t really care they will get there big salaries paid for by
the people they represent. Ask them how much they earn and what cuts have they
taken. Isn’t 14% cut better than 100%? Get real and understand the world we
live in they are a joke a very bad one shame on them!
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Really enjoy ur programme at least you allow for intelligent
debate and you’re not owned. Fionnon should write for Irish Times not the Independent
rag. Liam is like a parrot for the government, don’t care about the working
class they want 2 keep us slaves 2 their system by cutting our wages and barely
surviving paying our mortgages. Well I have handed in the keys of my house 2
bank and am heading 2 Canada, I urge others do the same. Government has robbed
this country and we have sat back- no alternative government 2 challenge the bunch
of imbeciles in government.
Helen.
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If the salaries of politicians were subject to yearly performance
ratings, the country would save a fortune.
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Their fight may be with the government but the impact is
directly on us the ordinary citizens and taxpayer. That is us who pay their
wages. And it is us who have had the largest cut in wages and jobs. They are
attacking the pay and jobs of the ordinary citizen to demand higher wages
through taxes which we cannot afford to pay.
Paul, Dun Laoghaire.
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In relation to the bright light in the sky seen earlier this
evening, there are reports that little green men have landed. A delighted John
Gormley said he needs all the help he can get.
Tom, Dublin 14.
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Employees are only obligated to meet their contracts.
Employers are obligated to meet the needs of their customers. Stop trying to
make the unions out as the bad guys. Once again it’s the politicians at fault.
Stuart Davie.
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Dept of education have been working to rule since last September
only answering phones between certain times of the day. We need joined up govt
services and the idle Irish need to take a look at polish workers to learn the
meaning of work.
Nuala.
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This government has driven from Ireland many nurses because
of these v unfair pay cuts one of which is my son, a bloody good mental health
professional who left 4 Australia last sat. A huge loss 2 patients and the
country , ot 2 mention his family. Shame on this Green / Fianna Fail sham of a government!
Anne.
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Because of ban on recruitment in public service for schools
over quota since the change in quota, the DES will not pay for guidance
counsellor in my school after the retirement of the previously paid DES GC! And
this at a time when students most need this service.
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I can barely cover my weekly bills, don't have enough to buy
groceries every week, 40yrs old single parent and very low paid civil servant.
I'm in receipt of FIS, but dread pay day as it’s very stressful. No prospect of
improvement. I have no choice but to fight to earn a basic living.
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I am a public servant in the health service and my mortgage
has gone up by €200, my salary is down €212 per month and I am worried and
frustrated each day. I'd like to know what Brian Cowen is going to do for me
while he's throwing billions at the banks and developers. We have 2 stand up
for ourselves.
John.
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I think you'll lose viewers during ad break at start. You
should space them out. Personally i never come back for the last bit because nothing
is said except your closing thanks etc. It’s actually annoying. TV3 would want
to re think over doing it on the ad 's as people are very remote happy and won’t
stay tuned to you which means viewers numbers down so fewer ad 's! You have to
get balance right and you're not at moment.
Eileen.
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..Think it would be good idea when politicians start to
waffle ...instead of answering the question ...go immediately to an ad break :-)
Brenda Gallagher.