Texts & Emails, Tuesday 24 November
Topic: Public sector strike action and pay
Panellists: This show took place at various strike locations in Dublin; those interviewed included teachers, nurses, guards and trade union officials
Below is a letter sent to Politico followed by texts and emails received by Vincent during the programme.
Hi Vincent,
I am a private sector worker and have no affiliation with any political party but i would like to ask
Should the union leaders and their members ask for Brian Cowen to resign before they even contemplate carrying on with negotiations?
His reign as minister for finance is partly responsible for this mess and his handling at the start of the crisis was the equivalent of turning up to an earthquake with a dustpan and brush. He has sat back for large parts of the crisis and it has been Brian Lenihan making almost all of the running in trying to rectify the public finances
Why are people up and down this country being asked to make sacrifices to help out the country when this man continues to hold the highest office in the land as well as being one of the best paid politicians in the world? He is not deserving of his position and i personally feel that in order to make a fresh start for this country and try to garner some public support for the actions needed to solve our problems he should fall on his sword and he should clear out his desk.
I am no fan of Brian Lenihan but his hands are clean when it comes to what caused our woes, and if there is not going to be an election then i feel the only way forward is for him or somebody else within their party to take over. This will not solve our problems i know that but at least it will seem a bit more just for the people who will be paying for years to come. It's never too late to do the right thing.
Regards
Andy Murphy
Here are some of the texts and emails sent to the programme:
What's fair and equitable about a secure and pensioned public sector geting 26% more than an insecure and poorly pensioned private sector? Benchmark them down.
***
People in the public service have a right to strike if their pay is being cut. They should be admired for standing up to this government of economic illiterates, it was them and their cronies who caused this crisis. Cut their pay in half, abolish the expenses and scrap the limos and jets. Make them take the pain.
Paul, Wexford
***
Taxation on everyone doesn't do anything to reduce the significant premiums in pay, pensions and conditions they enjoy over the private sector. Get real.
***
It's clear from your vox pop that we've a knowledgeable, angry public who, tonight represented by our public sector, are calling for a fair deal for all.
Ruairi, Offaly
***
Apparently there were five mile tailbacks into Newry today. Obviously our fantastic public sector don't even want to contribute to their own pay and pensions by way of VAT and excise duties - they'd rather give it to Her Majesty who doesn't pay one cent of their over inflated wages.
John, Dublin 18
***
Please tell the greedy public service to get real. We do not have the money to satisfy their greed. They went across the border to spend the wages the private sector paid for in taxes. They should be ashamed; we support them, they do not support us. They all want but won't give.
John, Cork
***
If you think primary school teaching is so easy then try it for a week!
Mairead
***
Perhaps it's worth making the point that the people who make the decisions on public sector pay, taxes and pensions are public sector workers too! Old lefties like me are observing this dog eat dog debacle with wry smiles. And the poor, as always, are left behind.
***
Public and private are two sides of the same capitalist coin. Divide and rule tactics.
Mr. P, Dromcollogher
***
Having driven past seven schools today it is a disgrace to see how few teachers bothered to brave the elements and picket like any self respecting striker worker.
Miriam, Leitrim
***
I am unemployed and I fully support the public sector strikers. I'm struck by their honesty, unlike the government and their cohorts.
Ken, Limerick
***
Peter McLoone says 250,000 public sector workers earn €55k or less. What is the breakdown of the rest?
Brendan, Dublin 12
***
And still nobody mentions politicians' pensions, unvouched expenses, judges VOLUNTARY contributions etc. Why are these issues ignored by the media?
J.D
***
The nurses are paid a pittance. The government should not touch them.
Anne
***
They should all go home. We're living on €204 a week, they have not got a clue.
***
I would be willing to take this pain if people went to jail for bankrupting this country.
Mark, Limerick
***
Gardai have to pay for on duty phone calls? You must be joking. Let's see proof.
John, Galway
***
I think it is outrageous that the government is expecting the public sector to take another pay cut. But why did the students not get as much coverage, the majority are finding it hard to meet payments.
***
I'm unemployed and get €204 a week. These people should be glad to have jobs, I would do their job for half of what they get.
***
I'm 52, I live on my own on disability. I'm worried sick about the budget - I get €209 per week. Watching the show tonight I was shocked that workers count on overtime. They are over extended. No way should anyone budget for any more than the basic wage. If the cost of shopping was lower, people could live and spend more.
Fran, Dublin
***
It's ridiculous that the people on strike complain about their wages when they're on six or seven times more than three quarters of the country.
***
I am a part of the public sector, on the lower end of the pay scale. We have taken a hit of 8%. It needs to be fair, hit the private sector. Also the "government" needs to take a cut. They say we all have to share the pain, where is their pain?
***
As a civil servant all we want is equity. Cut the tax breaks for the fat cats, everyone must pay their fair share proportionally.
***
I'm out of work for the last year. I think it's a disgrace what these strikers are doing. I would gladly give up €40 a week. I'm on €204 a week and I'm trying to stay alive on that!
***
I am a sixth year student and have already suffered due to work to rule. I have my leaving cert to worry about and it is not right for the teachers to deny me a days education.
***
I have no sympathy for the public servants. Most of them are quoting their basic pay and they get a lot more. And €29,000 of a pension that guard is belittling is a BIG pension. If he had to pay into a fund all his life he'd know how much it'd cost, the cheek.
Una
***
If these jobs are so badly paid why are the waiting lists so long to enter?
Pat
***
What is the message from public service workers to the rest of us? Tighten your belts - while they glue their snouts to the trough.
Mary
***
If they don't want to work for those wages there are plenty of people who gladly will!
Mary, Dundalk
***
These people are giving out about having a job with pay. There are plenty of college students looking for jobs, why not give them the jobs? Leet the strikers see what it's like to have no job. They would think twice about striking again. They are just being greedy.
Madeline, Claire
***
No-one talks about the amount of wages taken home over the last decade by those in the construction industry which was double or more the public service pay. There could also be savings made in the non-pay budgets.
Mary
***
My daughter is a nurse and works in the acute ward for stroke patients where she constantly gets hit by patients in the face and back. She is still dedicated to her job. We would be lost without our nurses. Shame on the government.
***
If the government does not take a better and fairer approach to economic recovery, teachers will take to the streets for weeks. We all know the rich robbed the poor in the 1980's. We won't be fooled again. Everyone must pay their share according to their means. Teachers will make further sacrifices if those at the top take proportionate cuts.
John, school principal
***
I would love a permanent job on €30,000 per annum. We are a couple with two kids, one in college with no grants. My husband is unemployed since June, I work two days a week. Give me a public service job any day.
Eimear
***
Gardai use a code when they use their mobile phones i.e they ring a number and use a code, then all their official calls are free. I had a friend made redundant on Friday after 33 years. He got nothing. No pension, no redundancy, his company said they were bust.
***
As a self employed person with two children and a wife to support who has earned less than €10,000 so far this year and is not entitled to social welfare...I would love to have the luxury of a pay cut. It's time public sector workers had a look at the real world.
Peter, Dublin
***
72% of the people of Ireland earn €40,000 or less. 62% of the public service earn more than this, plus a generous pension!
***
Fair play to them for striking. They are the ones who can do something about this government. Working people (private and public) and the unemployed should rally together to get them out.
***
Can you tell me where a consultant earns ten times what a nurse earns? The nurse interviewed earns €2,600 a month. I earn €5,600 a month as a consultant surgeon on the public service. Get your facts right!
***
Why do commentators keep comparing our wages to our European neighbours when it is perfectly obvious that the UK is a much cheaper place to live?
***
I took an 83% reduction in my wages this year since being let go in July. I think it is an outrage that those who negotiated terms and conditions in partnership with the government in the good times to be 25% better paid than their European counterparts won't step up to the place and take their share of the pain now.
Ultan
***
Private sector manager in construction - pay cut implemented of 37.5% - bleak future ahead! Currently paying 10% of salary for a non defined pension benefit! Public sector should get a grip and realise how bad things are.
Michael, Wexford
***
It's a disgrace. Public sector workers are being targeted by the government and Irish people are saying they have "secure" jobs! The majority of nurses, teachers etc. are now being discriminated against because of this.
Claire
***
What about all the double jobbing public servants today, taking the crusts out of full time taxi drivers mouths?
Eddie
***
Only for all these people who are working paying levies, PRSI and taking pay cuts we would not be able to pay social welfare.
Joan
***
My partner is a public servant, I'm out of work. We are two years into our mortgage. Further cuts means the possibility of losing the house and shopping in the North for groceries. Cuts need to hit the big earners!
Fiona
***
I have sympathy for all the workers except the teachers; they only work for half a year.
Joe, Kildare
***
I hope the public sector keep striking because the country is saving billions!
Jennifer, Dublin
***
Send them back to work. I'm shocked they all get paid €35,000 a year. Ask the general public making around €20,000 to €23,000.
Kashif, Cork
***
The majority of shoppers who went to Newry today were moms and children doing Xmas shopping. Many of my friends took advantage of the schools being closed.
***
Kerry to Belfast yesterday - no queues! Public service hypocrites! Thankfully going to a work related meeting, glad to have a job to go to.
John, Mullingar