The Andover Advertiser first with the news
Striking council staff return to work
6:25am Friday 18th July 2008
Comments (100) Have your say »
COUNCIL services across Hampshire were today getting back to normal as staff returned to work after a 48-hour walkout.
Union chiefs have hailed the strike a success that has sent a strong message members will not accept the "insulting" below inflation pay offer from local government employers.
Bin collections were abandoned, several schools and libraries shut, while some day services for the young, elderly and disabled were also affected.
Museums and council offices closed as staff manned picket lines and joined major rallies outside Southampton's Civic Centre and Hampshire County Council's headquarters in Winchester.
Members of Unison and Unite joined up to 500,000 colleagues from across England, Wales and Northern Ireland in a walkout in protest at a 2.45 per cent pay offer.
Union officials say many of their members are the lowest paid in the public sector, with cleaning staff earning just £11,193 a year, and special needs assistants getting £11,383.
They are demanding a rise of six per cent or 50p an hour, whichever is greater, and say councils should use contingency funds to pay for the increases.
Today, all services were due to start getting back to normal as employees returned to work, but the unions have said more strikes could be held if employers do not budge on their offer.
Unison's Southampton City Council branch secretary, Mike Tucker, said the action shows council workers are not prepared to accept a cut in real terms in their pay.
"I'm pleased with the number of members that took strike action. I think the strike was successful in getting our message across and demonstrating how strongly our members feel about pay," he said.
"With inflation increasing it is quite obvious that we have been offered a pay cut and people cannot afford to live on what they have been offered.
"We hope that the strike will result in the national negotiators re-opening talks, and we've been lobbying councillors in Southampton to put pressure on for that to happen.
"But if there's no negotiated settlement then we will proceed towards further strike action in September."
Your Say YourEcho
Condor Man, Southampton says...
6:53am Fri 18 Jul 08
The likes of Mike Tucker are dinosaurs from a bygone age. People have mortgages and bills to pay and if they are going to lose wages due to strike eventually they'll be worse off even if they do get an above inflation pay increase.
If he's really up to the job he should challenge the pay differential between the under performing leaches at the top at the council rather than the decent people at the bottom.
If he's really up to the job he should challenge the pay differential between the under performing leaches at the top at the council rather than the decent people at the bottom.
Southampton Council Tax Payer, Southampton says...
7:33am Fri 18 Jul 08
Apart from some dustbins not being emptied, did anyone notice any difference ?
simon waters, hampshire says...
7:37am Fri 18 Jul 08
I feel the only people that should have a pay rise is the fireman,if council works do not like there pay then let the people have there job you have not got job.
they are on good money as it is instead of giving them more money use the money to repaire the roads
they are on good money as it is instead of giving them more money use the money to repaire the roads
Mr Butlin, soton says...
7:43am Fri 18 Jul 08
Got to go back - after two days they will need a rest.
constance tench, park bench says...
8:05am Fri 18 Jul 08
work-shy, fascist, bully-boys.
Crusty of Southampton, Southampton says...
8:09am Fri 18 Jul 08
What a tiring day lounging outside the depots. Thank goodness I now live in Botley where none of these selfish lazy "workers?" weere on strike.
Beet the pubs did more trade over the last two days!
Beet the pubs did more trade over the last two days!
Jacob, Hampshire says...
8:10am Fri 18 Jul 08
I couldn't agree more with most of the comments above. I work for a local authority but I've worked every day this week as have the majority of people here (not sure about the success statement?!?)
I think 2.45% in the current climate is very reasonable indeed and in all honesty I wasn't expecting anything above 2%.
Yes, complain about Cllrs. allowence raises but that's a different issue.
I think 2.45% in the current climate is very reasonable indeed and in all honesty I wasn't expecting anything above 2%.
Yes, complain about Cllrs. allowence raises but that's a different issue.
George, says...
8:10am Fri 18 Jul 08
Southampton Council Tax Payer wrote:Yeh. There were more council workers on this website moaning about their lot
Apart from some dustbins not being emptied, did anyone notice any difference ?
Disgruntled Citizen, says...
8:39am Fri 18 Jul 08
Condor Man wrote:Trade Union Leaders are con artists. They may get their members a marginally bigger pay increase but at what price ? The extra money gets swollowed up by lost wages when on strike. Public sympathy and support for the strike action evaporates to be replaced by lingering anger. Jobs soon disappear because of the wage settlement. Do Union Leaders suffer? Nope. They are shielded and cocooned from hardship experienced by their members. Workers should demand higher standards from these parasites. They are amazingly poor value for money.
The likes of Mike Tucker are dinosaurs from a bygone age. People have mortgages and bills to pay and if they are going to lose wages due to strike eventually they'll be worse off even if they do get an above inflation pay increase.
If he's really up to the job he should challenge the pay differential between the under performing leaches at the top at the council rather than the decent people at the bottom.
Andy, eastleigh says...
8:51am Fri 18 Jul 08
2.45 % seems reasonable to me. Personally I have had no rise in three years and this goes for many people I know. If people acted this way in a private company they would be told to stay away. This is just a result of too many people on the gravy train .
Christoff, says...
9:00am Fri 18 Jul 08
Southampton Council Tax Payer wrote:no but the dustbins not being emptied is probably the biggest issue that impacts on people.I now have my bins full with my daughter's smelly nappies and will have to wait until next week. Bring on the rats and foxes. I wonder if we are allowed to fly tip in this scenario. If only I had an address for a damned binman.
Apart from some dustbins not being emptied, did anyone notice any difference ?
Fred, says...
9:01am Fri 18 Jul 08
Southampton Council Tax Payer wrote:Less traffic in town was a bonus. Hope the strikers can pay their bills next month.
Apart from some dustbins not being emptied, did anyone notice any difference ?
Don't like the pay, earn another way.
steve, soton says...
9:18am Fri 18 Jul 08
I cant wait until private companies offer refuse collection. Many companies are looking into this in the area. You fill your bin up and book a slot on line or over the phone. This will allow residents choice of collection. I hope the council will then offer residents who use the private collectors the chance to have their council tax reduced . Not long now I expect...
Perry, Southampton says...
9:19am Fri 18 Jul 08
They wont be getting a pay rise no matter how many times they strike. Shame they dont work for Capita I dont think any of them have a problem with pay...
Becky, Woolston says...
9:24am Fri 18 Jul 08
I've got no sympathy for them at all. If you don't like the pay rise get another job. Only people in the public sector strike. Do you see people in the private sector striking .....
Carry on and strike. I'm not bothered if my bins go a week without collection. Let them lose money every time they strike - soon the payrise will be worth nothing because of the money they have lost in wages. Selfish - the whole lot of them. Most of them couldn't work in the private sector because they've had such an easy time working at the Council.
Carry on and strike. I'm not bothered if my bins go a week without collection. Let them lose money every time they strike - soon the payrise will be worth nothing because of the money they have lost in wages. Selfish - the whole lot of them. Most of them couldn't work in the private sector because they've had such an easy time working at the Council.
George, says...
10:31am Fri 18 Jul 08
Andy wrote:It's the same as I got this year (private sector) and while it might not be as much as I'd wanted, or have had in the past, that's life. I'm still able to put a roof over my head, eat fairly well, put fuel in my car, buy clothes and go to the pub. Won't see me complaining, or striking. Be thankful you're getting anything, council workers. There are starving children in Africa that don't even get pay rises
2.45 % seems reasonable to me. Personally I have had no rise in three years and this goes for many people I know. If people acted this way in a private company they would be told to stay away. This is just a result of too many people on the gravy train .
Paramjit Bahia, Southampton says...
10:46am Fri 18 Jul 08
Mine may be voice of minority on this site, but I fully support the union action.
Some of these workers are on such a low pay that they may even be better off on the dole. But they are still committed to doing useful work for the community.
Offer of pay rise well below the current rate of inflation is in fact pay cut, so hardly surprising these workers are upset. It is amazing that only last night according to main news gas prices are expected to go up by up to 70% but nobody seem to be moaning about that. How on earth these workers are going to afford these bills?. So for them there is no choice but to fight their corner.
Many are moaning about the Council tax, but do not appreciate the fact that special need assistants , dinner ladies and dust cart drivers do not set that. It is done by the Councillors and it is very high because this so called New Labour Government has kept on blindly following the Tory policy on local government finance.
Why on earth these unions whose members are victims of New Labour's Thatcherite policies keep on financially bailing out this unofficial right wing of the Tory Party is difficult to understand. Stopping that could teach Bean Brown and his right wing cronies bit of sense.
Some of these workers are on such a low pay that they may even be better off on the dole. But they are still committed to doing useful work for the community.
Offer of pay rise well below the current rate of inflation is in fact pay cut, so hardly surprising these workers are upset. It is amazing that only last night according to main news gas prices are expected to go up by up to 70% but nobody seem to be moaning about that. How on earth these workers are going to afford these bills?. So for them there is no choice but to fight their corner.
Many are moaning about the Council tax, but do not appreciate the fact that special need assistants , dinner ladies and dust cart drivers do not set that. It is done by the Councillors and it is very high because this so called New Labour Government has kept on blindly following the Tory policy on local government finance.
Why on earth these unions whose members are victims of New Labour's Thatcherite policies keep on financially bailing out this unofficial right wing of the Tory Party is difficult to understand. Stopping that could teach Bean Brown and his right wing cronies bit of sense.
Goard, Strike says...
11:13am Fri 18 Jul 08
My immediate reaction was - if the Council, Cabinet, MPs Mr. Thornbur, advisers and his committee and Old Tom Cobley and All could pile into the Electorates' pockets then it does not send a good message to anyone else and if it means these people feel there is enough money floating around then why should Mr. Brown allow one section of the community to help themselves and deprive the rest of the workers - of course, the rest of the country want a slice of THAT cake too.
But, of course, two wrongs do not make a right, and it's time the MPs and the rest realise this and set an example.
goard
But, of course, two wrongs do not make a right, and it's time the MPs and the rest realise this and set an example.
goard
Me, Still at my desk says...
11:47am Fri 18 Jul 08
Paramjit Bahia wrote:Oh go away! Why do you always have negative things to say?
Mine may be voice of minority on this site, but I fully support the union action. Some of these workers are on such a low pay that they may even be better off on the dole. But they are still committed to doing useful work for the community. Offer of pay rise well below the current rate of inflation is in fact pay cut, so hardly surprising these workers are upset. It is amazing that only last night according to main news gas prices are expected to go up by up to 70% but nobody seem to be moaning about that. How on earth these workers are going to afford these bills?. So for them there is no choice but to fight their corner. Many are moaning about the Council tax, but do not appreciate the fact that special need assistants , dinner ladies and dust cart drivers do not set that. It is done by the Councillors and it is very high because this so called New Labour Government has kept on blindly following the Tory policy on local government finance. Why on earth these unions whose members are victims of New Labour's Thatcherite policies keep on financially bailing out this unofficial right wing of the Tory Party is difficult to understand. Stopping that could teach Bean Brown and his right wing cronies bit of sense.
I work for the council and feel lucky to have a job. People are always going to moan about their position in life. Stop moaning or find another job.
I didn't strike as I don't agree with it and I think Unison are out for themselves. I am a member who is seriously thinking of stopping my membership as I needed information for an individual need and they weren't interested and never got back to me.
If people really are that greedy about a pay rise that the council always give each year - get a second job!
Lou Lum, winchester says...
12:32pm Fri 18 Jul 08
Well done for those coming out with comments sticking up for us underpaid council workers ! We will get our pay rise wait and see......
George, says...
12:40pm Fri 18 Jul 08
Lou Lum wrote:And a fair amount of that pay rise will be cancelled out by your rise in council tax. Nice one
Well done for those coming out with comments sticking up for us underpaid council workers ! We will get our pay rise wait and see......
Lou Lum, winchester says...
12:45pm Fri 18 Jul 08
george think you will find the council tax will go up anyway
nice one
nice one
George, says...
1:17pm Fri 18 Jul 08
Lou Lum wrote:Of course it will. But even more so to fund your petty demands. Point refuted. Bye bye
george think you will find the council tax will go up anyway
nice one
Your a Scab, scabhampton says...
1:24pm Fri 18 Jul 08
Me wrote:Hey Scab, Why join unison in the first place? Because your a selfish individual that will go crying to them if you ever found your self having problems. You want it all your own way, join a union and don't support the democratic vote we had for strike action.
Paramjit Bahia wrote:Oh go away! Why do you always have negative things to say?
Mine may be voice of minority on this site, but I fully support the union action. Some of these workers are on such a low pay that they may even be better off on the dole. But they are still committed to doing useful work for the community. Offer of pay rise well below the current rate of inflation is in fact pay cut, so hardly surprising these workers are upset. It is amazing that only last night according to main news gas prices are expected to go up by up to 70% but nobody seem to be moaning about that. How on earth these workers are going to afford these bills?. So for them there is no choice but to fight their corner. Many are moaning about the Council tax, but do not appreciate the fact that special need assistants , dinner ladies and dust cart drivers do not set that. It is done by the Councillors and it is very high because this so called New Labour Government has kept on blindly following the Tory policy on local government finance. Why on earth these unions whose members are victims of New Labour\'s Thatcherite policies keep on financially bailing out this unofficial right wing of the Tory Party is difficult to understand. Stopping that could teach Bean Brown and his right wing cronies bit of sense.
I work for the council and feel lucky to have a job. People are always going to moan about their position in life. Stop moaning or find another job.
I didn\'t strike as I don\'t agree with it and I think Unison are out for themselves. I am a member who is seriously thinking of stopping my membership as I needed information for an individual need and they weren\'t interested and never got back to me.
If people really are that greedy about a pay rise that the council always give each year - get a second job!
I am sure if we get a higher pay award you will except it, off the the back off people that sacrificed money in their believe of their rights.
Scabs like you are the lowest of the low. You take, like a parasite
Scab Lover, Southampton says...
1:31pm Fri 18 Jul 08
Your a Scab wrote:Go back under the rock you crawled from! Just get on with the job your supposed to be doing and accept the payrise...
Me wrote:Hey Scab, Why join unison in the first place? Because your a selfish individual that will go crying to them if you ever found your self having problems. You want it all your own way, join a union and don't support the democratic vote we had for strike action. I am sure if we get a higher pay award you will except it, off the the back off people that sacrificed money in their believe of their rights. Scabs like you are the lowest of the low. You take, like a parasiteParamjit Bahia wrote: Mine may be voice of minority on this site, but I fully support the union action. Some of these workers are on such a low pay that they may even be better off on the dole. But they are still committed to doing useful work for the community. Offer of pay rise well below the current rate of inflation is in fact pay cut, so hardly surprising these workers are upset. It is amazing that only last night according to main news gas prices are expected to go up by up to 70% but nobody seem to be moaning about that. How on earth these workers are going to afford these bills?. So for them there is no choice but to fight their corner. Many are moaning about the Council tax, but do not appreciate the fact that special need assistants , dinner ladies and dust cart drivers do not set that. It is done by the Councillors and it is very high because this so called New Labour Government has kept on blindly following the Tory policy on local government finance. Why on earth these unions whose members are victims of New Labour\'s Thatcherite policies keep on financially bailing out this unofficial right wing of the Tory Party is difficult to understand. Stopping that could teach Bean Brown and his right wing cronies bit of sense.Oh go away! Why do you always have negative things to say? I work for the council and feel lucky to have a job. People are always going to moan about their position in life. Stop moaning or find another job. I didn\'t strike as I don\'t agree with it and I think Unison are out for themselves. I am a member who is seriously thinking of stopping my membership as I needed information for an individual need and they weren\'t interested and never got back to me. If people really are that greedy about a pay rise that the council always give each year - get a second job!
Your a Scab, scabhampton says...
1:33pm Fri 18 Jul 08
Are you by any chance the missing link ?
Bambi, says...
1:33pm Fri 18 Jul 08
Your a Scab wrote:No, you are the lowest of the low, you are the parasite. Trying to bully the taxpayer into doing what you want. You're not entitled to a pay rise, nobody is. If you don't like your conditions, find another job. Everyone else manages it. Screwing up the services we all pay for as part of a little tantrum isn't really acceptable
Me wrote:Hey Scab, Why join unison in the first place? Because your a selfish individual that will go crying to them if you ever found your self having problems. You want it all your own way, join a union and don't support the democratic vote we had for strike action.
Paramjit Bahia wrote:Oh go away! Why do you always have negative things to say?
Mine may be voice of minority on this site, but I fully support the union action. Some of these workers are on such a low pay that they may even be better off on the dole. But they are still committed to doing useful work for the community. Offer of pay rise well below the current rate of inflation is in fact pay cut, so hardly surprising these workers are upset. It is amazing that only last night according to main news gas prices are expected to go up by up to 70% but nobody seem to be moaning about that. How on earth these workers are going to afford these bills?. So for them there is no choice but to fight their corner. Many are moaning about the Council tax, but do not appreciate the fact that special need assistants , dinner ladies and dust cart drivers do not set that. It is done by the Councillors and it is very high because this so called New Labour Government has kept on blindly following the Tory policy on local government finance. Why on earth these unions whose members are victims of New Labour\'s Thatcherite policies keep on financially bailing out this unofficial right wing of the Tory Party is difficult to understand. Stopping that could teach Bean Brown and his right wing cronies bit of sense.
I work for the council and feel lucky to have a job. People are always going to moan about their position in life. Stop moaning or find another job.
I didn\'t strike as I don\'t agree with it and I think Unison are out for themselves. I am a member who is seriously thinking of stopping my membership as I needed information for an individual need and they weren\'t interested and never got back to me.
If people really are that greedy about a pay rise that the council always give each year - get a second job!
I am sure if we get a higher pay award you will except it, off the the back off people that sacrificed money in their believe of their rights.
Scabs like you are the lowest of the low. You take, like a parasite
Christoff, says...
1:34pm Fri 18 Jul 08
Paramjit Bahia wrote:
Mine may be voice of minority on this site, but I fully support the union action. Some of these workers are on such a low pay that they may even be better off on the dole. But they are still committed to doing useful work for the community. Offer of pay rise well below the current rate of inflation is in fact pay cut, so hardly surprising these workers are upset. It is amazing that only last night according to main news gas prices are expected to go up by up to 70% but nobody seem to be moaning about that. How on earth these workers are going to afford these bills?. So for them there is no choice but to fight their corner. Many are moaning about the Council tax, but do not appreciate the fact that special need assistants , dinner ladies and dust cart drivers do not set that. It is done by the Councillors and it is very high because this so called New Labour Government has kept on blindly following the Tory policy on local government finance. Why on earth these unions whose members are victims of New Labour's Thatcherite policies keep on financially bailing out this unofficial right wing of the Tory Party is difficult to understand. Stopping that could teach Bean Brown and his right wing cronies bit of sense.
Some of these workers are on such a low pay that they may even be better off on the dole. But they are still committed to doing useful work for the community.
Love your political rants Paramjit but please don't tell me you actually believe people work for the council to do good work in the community.
A job is a job is a job. If they were feeling so warm and cuddly about the community they wouldn't be bothered and the strike wouldn't have happened.
Can I bring my bins round your gaff? ;-)
Daytripper, soton says...
1:38pm Fri 18 Jul 08
Did anyone notice - Mayflower Park did not have the usual Council vans taking up all the parking spaces. I do feel for them though, where did they get to kip on the picket line ?
Your a Scab, scabhampton says...
1:49pm Fri 18 Jul 08
Bambi wrote:Screwing up services. See the problem is when you mix thick with ignorance, you get people like you that blame the low paid worker, because they are visible and on the front line. Instead of councilors who make the rules and management implement them.
Your a Scab wrote:No, you are the lowest of the low, you are the parasite. Trying to bully the taxpayer into doing what you want. You\'re not entitled to a pay rise, nobody is. If you don\'t like your conditions, find another job. Everyone else manages it. Screwing up the services we all pay for as part of a little tantrum isn\'t really acceptable
Me wrote:Hey Scab, Why join unison in the first place? Because your a selfish individual that will go crying to them if you ever found your self having problems. You want it all your own way, join a union and don\'t support the democratic vote we had for strike action.
Paramjit Bahia wrote:Oh go away! Why do you always have negative things to say?
Mine may be voice of minority on this site, but I fully support the union action. Some of these workers are on such a low pay that they may even be better off on the dole. But they are still committed to doing useful work for the community. Offer of pay rise well below the current rate of inflation is in fact pay cut, so hardly surprising these workers are upset. It is amazing that only last night according to main news gas prices are expected to go up by up to 70% but nobody seem to be moaning about that. How on earth these workers are going to afford these bills?. So for them there is no choice but to fight their corner. Many are moaning about the Council tax, but do not appreciate the fact that special need assistants , dinner ladies and dust cart drivers do not set that. It is done by the Councillors and it is very high because this so called New Labour Government has kept on blindly following the Tory policy on local government finance. Why on earth these unions whose members are victims of New Labour\\\'s Thatcherite policies keep on financially bailing out this unofficial right wing of the Tory Party is difficult to understand. Stopping that could teach Bean Brown and his right wing cronies bit of sense.
I work for the council and feel lucky to have a job. People are always going to moan about their position in life. Stop moaning or find another job.
I didn\\\'t strike as I don\\\'t agree with it and I think Unison are out for themselves. I am a member who is seriously thinking of stopping my membership as I needed information for an individual need and they weren\\\'t interested and never got back to me.
If people really are that greedy about a pay rise that the council always give each year - get a second job!
I am sure if we get a higher pay award you will except it, off the the back off people that sacrificed money in their believe of their rights.
Scabs like you are the lowest of the low. You take, like a parasite
You sound like a right dweeb that a boss would love to take advantage off and exploit, what a Muppet. With your neanderthal and highly original "if you don't like it get another job" quote, is so lame beyond reason.
Ug Ug
Bambi, says...
2:43pm Fri 18 Jul 08
Your a Scab wrote:Yep carry on calling me names. That'll help. Every single one of you council workers that posts here has exactly the same attitude: insult everyone that isn't them. I hope the lot of you get sacked, you workshy, over-entited ne'er-do-well fool. And, no, I couldn't care less if some of you have families, given the utter contempt you have for the people paying your more-than-adequate wages
Bambi wrote:Screwing up services. See the problem is when you mix thick with ignorance, you get people like you that blame the low paid worker, because they are visible and on the front line. Instead of councilors who make the rules and management implement them.
Your a Scab wrote:No, you are the lowest of the low, you are the parasite. Trying to bully the taxpayer into doing what you want. You\'re not entitled to a pay rise, nobody is. If you don\'t like your conditions, find another job. Everyone else manages it. Screwing up the services we all pay for as part of a little tantrum isn\'t really acceptable
Me wrote:Hey Scab, Why join unison in the first place? Because your a selfish individual that will go crying to them if you ever found your self having problems. You want it all your own way, join a union and don\'t support the democratic vote we had for strike action.
Paramjit Bahia wrote:Oh go away! Why do you always have negative things to say?
Mine may be voice of minority on this site, but I fully support the union action. Some of these workers are on such a low pay that they may even be better off on the dole. But they are still committed to doing useful work for the community. Offer of pay rise well below the current rate of inflation is in fact pay cut, so hardly surprising these workers are upset. It is amazing that only last night according to main news gas prices are expected to go up by up to 70% but nobody seem to be moaning about that. How on earth these workers are going to afford these bills?. So for them there is no choice but to fight their corner. Many are moaning about the Council tax, but do not appreciate the fact that special need assistants , dinner ladies and dust cart drivers do not set that. It is done by the Councillors and it is very high because this so called New Labour Government has kept on blindly following the Tory policy on local government finance. Why on earth these unions whose members are victims of New Labour\\\'s Thatcherite policies keep on financially bailing out this unofficial right wing of the Tory Party is difficult to understand. Stopping that could teach Bean Brown and his right wing cronies bit of sense.
I work for the council and feel lucky to have a job. People are always going to moan about their position in life. Stop moaning or find another job.
I didn\\\'t strike as I don\\\'t agree with it and I think Unison are out for themselves. I am a member who is seriously thinking of stopping my membership as I needed information for an individual need and they weren\\\'t interested and never got back to me.
If people really are that greedy about a pay rise that the council always give each year - get a second job!
I am sure if we get a higher pay award you will except it, off the the back off people that sacrificed money in their believe of their rights.
Scabs like you are the lowest of the low. You take, like a parasite
You sound like a right dweeb that a boss would love to take advantage off and exploit, what a Muppet. With your neanderthal and highly original "if you don't like it get another job" quote, is so lame beyond reason.
Ug Ug
When I said "screwing up the services" I was referring to the strike, not the mis-management in general. By striking, you have, by definition and intent, stopped some services that we are paying for. You did that. Not your management, not the councillors. You, the frontline. Isn't that why you're striking, after all? It wouldn't be much of a strike if services weren't affected, now, would it? Seems you are the thick ignorant, neanderthal dweeb muppet, after all. Too busy looking for an argument to be bothered to read properly. Just like you're too busy whining about your lot to be grateful you've even got a job
Could you explain what's wrong with the "get another job" quote? I wasn't aiming for originality with that quote, there are only so many ways one can be right. It's not a difficult concept: don't like something? Make the change. Simple. If your local puts the price of beer up to an unreasonable amount, do you a) Go on strike, refuse to drink there, abuse other people who choose to carry on drinking there, picket the pub and demand that the price be lowered? Or do you b) go drink somewhere else, or just put up with it?
Could you explain how I'm being taken advantage of by my boss when I'm getting paid a whole lot more than anyone in the public sector doing the same job as me? I'm hardly being exploited. If I don't like the conditions I work under, I change them. I don't throw a hissy fit and expect a handout.
What a neanderthal muppet wah wah stamp feet tantrum tantrum I'm not getting my own way etc blah blah typical lazy public sector malcontent etc
I suggest you spend less time trying to pick fights with strangers on the Internet, and go do something friggin' useful for a change, you utterly ridiculous little boy
Council Worker, Soton says...
2:51pm Fri 18 Jul 08
"Your a Scab": please stop picking fights with everyone! You're not helping our cause one little bit, you're just making us look like a bunch of idiots that hate the general public. Not going to garner us much sympathy or support. For the record, not all of us think like this clown
Paramjit Bahia, Southampton says...
2:56pm Fri 18 Jul 08
Christoff wrote:Yes I do believe that vast majority of these workers work very hard and do care about the communities. It is not only my belief but with experience of dealing with them I am fully aware of this fact. Obviously there may be some odd one who is not doing the job properly but overall most of them are worth every penny they get.
Paramjit Bahia wrote: Mine may be voice of minority on this site, but I fully support the union action. Some of these workers are on such a low pay that they may even be better off on the dole. But they are still committed to doing useful work for the community. Offer of pay rise well below the current rate of inflation is in fact pay cut, so hardly surprising these workers are upset. It is amazing that only last night according to main news gas prices are expected to go up by up to 70% but nobody seem to be moaning about that. How on earth these workers are going to afford these bills?. So for them there is no choice but to fight their corner. Many are moaning about the Council tax, but do not appreciate the fact that special need assistants , dinner ladies and dust cart drivers do not set that. It is done by the Councillors and it is very high because this so called New Labour Government has kept on blindly following the Tory policy on local government finance. Why on earth these unions whose members are victims of New Labour\'s Thatcherite policies keep on financially bailing out this unofficial right wing of the Tory Party is difficult to understand. Stopping that could teach Bean Brown and his right wing cronies bit of sense.Some of these workers are on such a low pay that they may even be better off on the dole. But they are still committed to doing useful work for the community.Love your political rants Paramjit but please don\'t tell me you actually believe people work for the council to do good work in the community. A job is a job is a job. If they were feeling so warm and cuddly about the community they wouldn\'t be bothered and the strike wouldn\'t have happened. Can I bring my bins round your gaff? ;-)
Local government employees deserve more respect than being expressed on this forum.
They are not on strike for the fun of it, but they haven't got much of choice.
Strange it may sound to you, but while I am critical of strike breakers, who in trade union language are known as 'Scabs', I think most of them are also dedicated workers.
No please do not bring your bin to me! But you may consider sending it to Gordon Brown or Alistar Darling who are behind the policies creating problems.
Jeff McLean, Chandlers Ford says...
2:59pm Fri 18 Jul 08
I am a shift worker, and I don't see what the relevance is. In Fords, shift workers do all the donkey work that the days wont do.
Bambi, says...
3:01pm Fri 18 Jul 08
Local government employees deserve more respect than being expressed on this forum.
I agree. But given the contempt and abusiveness of those council employees that choose to come here spitting venom at everyone, it's easy to see why that respect is not forthcoming.
The whole point of the strike is to cause trouble for everyone - yes it is, no point denying it - in order to draw attention to their concerns. Nothing innately wrong with that, that's their entitlement, regardless of how anyone else feels about it. But if they do that and simultaneously expect sympathy from the very people they're causing problems for, they're profoundly naive. To spend so much time being abusive toward people who are opining about the situation does not make anyone more likely to sympathise. Quite the opposite
Jeff McLean, Chandlers Ford says...
3:05pm Fri 18 Jul 08
Bambi wrote:Bambi
Local government employees deserve more respect than being expressed on this forum.I agree. But given the contempt and abusiveness of those council employees that choose to come here spitting venom at everyone, it's easy to see why that respect is not forthcoming. The whole point of the strike is to cause trouble for everyone - yes it is, no point denying it - in order to draw attention to their concerns. Nothing innately wrong with that, that's their entitlement, regardless of how anyone else feels about it. But if they do that and simultaneously expect sympathy from the very people they're causing problems for, they're profoundly naive. To spend so much time being abusive toward people who are opining about the situation does not make anyone more likely to sympathise. Quite the opposite
Run that by me again ...
Bambi, says...
3:10pm Fri 18 Jul 08
Jeff McLean wrote:I'm quoting part of a post above declaring that the workers deserve more respect than they're getting on this website. If you've been following the story for the last day or so, you'll have seen that there are a number of people comment on them saying why they disagree with the strike, which is entirely reasonable and they're entitled to do so. However, a number of council workers get very abusive toward anyone who dares voice this opinion (see above, for example). I'm pointing out that that does nothing to earn said respect
Bambi wrote:Bambi
Local government employees deserve more respect than being expressed on this forum.I agree. But given the contempt and abusiveness of those council employees that choose to come here spitting venom at everyone, it's easy to see why that respect is not forthcoming. The whole point of the strike is to cause trouble for everyone - yes it is, no point denying it - in order to draw attention to their concerns. Nothing innately wrong with that, that's their entitlement, regardless of how anyone else feels about it. But if they do that and simultaneously expect sympathy from the very people they're causing problems for, they're profoundly naive. To spend so much time being abusive toward people who are opining about the situation does not make anyone more likely to sympathise. Quite the opposite
Run that by me again ...
That's all
Paramjit Bahia, Southampton says...
3:13pm Fri 18 Jul 08
Bambi wrote:Bambi, I assure you that I do not approve of abusing others. We can all have difference of opinion but should respect others right to express their point of view. Those who abuse others only end up doing damage to their own side.
Local government employees deserve more respect than being expressed on this forum.I agree. But given the contempt and abusiveness of those council employees that choose to come here spitting venom at everyone, it's easy to see why that respect is not forthcoming. The whole point of the strike is to cause trouble for everyone - yes it is, no point denying it - in order to draw attention to their concerns. Nothing innately wrong with that, that's their entitlement, regardless of how anyone else feels about it. But if they do that and simultaneously expect sympathy from the very people they're causing problems for, they're profoundly naive. To spend so much time being abusive toward people who are opining about the situation does not make anyone more likely to sympathise. Quite the opposite
Wewullywinky, says...
3:17pm Fri 18 Jul 08
Now they're back sack them for disrupting public service.
Bambi, says...
3:22pm Fri 18 Jul 08
Paramjit Bahia wrote:
Bambi wrote:
Local government employees deserve more respect than being expressed on this forum.I agree. But given the contempt and abusiveness of those council employees that choose to come here spitting venom at everyone, it's easy to see why that respect is not forthcoming. The whole point of the strike is to cause trouble for everyone - yes it is, no point denying it - in order to draw attention to their concerns. Nothing innately wrong with that, that's their entitlement, regardless of how anyone else feels about it. But if they do that and simultaneously expect sympathy from the very people they're causing
Joe Public, says...
6:44am Fri 18 Jul 08