In the private sector we have not had a pay rise since the recession began and I have never got paid extra for over time having to make do with my normal rate. I have also said in a previous post that the spending cuts are happening at the wrong end with front line services getting shafted while the Civil Servants and fat cats sit on their cushy salaries and benefits. Perhaps I could have been clearer in my publis sector workers comment.
The majority of people in my work haven't had a wage rise since 2008, and they won't be getting one this year either. I work for one of the biggest engineering consultancy firms in the world. Nobody gets paid overtime here either. All the bids we put in for jobs, the budgets are getting slashed. If I do a job that takes 8 hours, on average I'll only be allowed to book 2 hours against the job. If America does get shafted tomorrow then the UK will take the cuts to save the unprofitable American offices.
Same with my work (IT consultant). The majority of people I know in private sector have not had any pay rises since around 2008. Some have even taken pay cuts to keep their jobs. It irritates me when public sector workers moan of only getting an inflation linked pay rise, saying that that is not a pay rise and they deserve a guaranteed 5% above inflation each year. Teachers especially annoy me, as they get quite well paid. However, it is slightly harsh to hit people who are approaching their retirement. The rest can stop moaning and realise that cuts have to be made everywhere.
Again, they have every right to protest. It is not their fault you are not getting a pay rise. Why people have to bring the public sector into it I don't know.
This isn't about blame, and it's an easy cop out to say that the public sector are being blamed or victimised in some way. That's exactly what I would say if I were the union representing them. This is about the general arrangements around pensions and retirement age being modified in the public sector to match what is happening elsewhere. And what HAS to happen for this country to be financially sustainable as the number of people working (in any sector) becomes smaller as a percentage of total population. You have still never really answered whether you think they should still be on final salary when the life expectancy after retirement is probably double what it was when you started work? It's even easier to point fingers at 'fat cats' as they are even more nameless than your average public sector worker. What's your definition of a 'fat cat'? They are not confined to either public or private sector. And you're not trying to tell me that although they have not been named specifically on this thread that 'people' don't blame politicians...! Whilst 'fat cats' ' influence on the current economic situation cannot be ignored, the simple fact is that regardless of the financial well-being of the nation, there was always going to come a time when pensions needed to be reviewed for EVERYONE in light of the fact that we all live longer. What is sooooo difficult to understand about that? And why must it be seen as some sort of bashing or hatred of the public sector when it really is just asking for the playing field to be levelled in an area where it is not automatically levelled by heads of companies who have simply highlighted the impact of an outdated pensions provision system earlier than we, as a nation / government, should have done? You are not providing a counter arguement. You are simply trying to disqualify the arguements of others by saying it is based on some unfounded dislike of the public sector - again which you have no proof for. 2 of the 4 women I am seeing at the minute were on strike 3-4 weeks ago. And one of them is the best shag of them all. This is difficult and, erm, dangerous to prove. But it is a poor example that I have no dislike of public sector workers. I just think it's time everyone realised that this set-up couldn't last forever, and the quicker it is changed, the quicker we are back on an even keel - which will allow both sectors to begin to prosper again in tandem.
I think most public sector workers acknowledge that changes have to be made. If I have to forego a final salary pension then fair enough,. I ain't banking on being around at 65 anyway so **** 'em.
I agree that those approaching retirement will get a raw deal and that is not particularly fair. However, I left school the year tuition fees were introduced and grants were abolished - so instead of a free higher education, I came out £25k in debt. Not particularly fair, but I've never moaned about it (until now!). There always has to be a line in the sand and there will always be people who lose out more than others. Perhaps they should start making deductions from those already on final salary to compensate everyone else...
boo ****ing hoo, you have a job, many others dont. I took a 33% pay cut last year to try and save my job, it didnt work, i was handed my notice last monday.
It is a bit selfish for them protesting when the rest of the country in private sector or jobless are struggling. I am not blaming them for me not getting a pay rise, I'm OK. What I am saying is that they need to wake up and smell the coffee. Why should they get guaranteed pay rises, when the country is broke? Why should they get final salary pensions (paid for by all tax payers) when the country cannot afford to pay them when people are living longer. It is simply not sustainable. Why should they be able to retire on their final salary pensions at 55 or 60, when the rest of the country is having to work longer to pay for the increasing age of the population. & yes, they have every right to protest. Unfortunately when they do, it costs me and many others money to organise child care / take time off work etc. Greedy ****s who have no realisation of whats going on in the real World.
OK - You didn't answer any of the questions, but here goes. Because it is not sustainable. For the public sector to be kept on final salaries and retire at 60, the whole country would have to pay massively increased taxes to pay for this. So it is selfish, expecting private sector workers to pay higher taxes (I think I read 42% basic tax rate), when they are taking cuts, losing their jobs etc. in order to pay for it. They are protesting whilst we are paying for their pensions, whilst at the same time having to take cuts ourselves.
To all those banging on about pay rises can i just point out that there is a public sceotr pay freeze in operation. I agree with it actually but let's deal in facts please guys.
First of all, you are not paying their pensions. They are. Secondly, they are fighting because they are being screwed over. Most of them know that they are probably doomed to failure but if they fight tooth and nail they might get a decent deal out of it. Finally, and as I keep trying to point out, it is the politicians, bankers and big business which cost this country tens of billions of pounds and caused the recession which is why you are being ****ed over. It has nothing to do with public sector pensions.
All tax payers are paying for the wages and pensions of the public sector. That is the way it should be, but is also why people in the private sector have a right to comment and add their opinions. The bankers and politicians did get us in this mess, but unless cuts are made across the board, we are all completely ****ed. That includes public sector workers - They are not and should not be protected whilst the rest of the country picks up the bill. Oh and when they protest, as stated before, it costs many other struggling families money.
