Public Sector Strike

[beefy0978]

...and I think you shouldn't look at it as a "disruption" - instead you should join and fight for our rights and our freedom! It's in my business to go and strike with them but if I'll drive through the city centre I will show my support.
Viva la revolucion!

I'll pass on that if thats ok.....none of them went out on strike to support me when I was made redundant (3 times in 10 years). Now things are affecting them i'm supposed to feel sorry for them ?

You can pay more taxes if you like to keep them in the manner to which they are accustomed, but I think i'll pass if thats ok

Sorry to hear you were made redunhdant three times. That's tough.
Both the OH and myself are employed in the public sector. We've trained to qualify and worked hard in our jobs to look after (others) kids and to make our communities just a little better. I grant you that's not always obvious.
If the proposed changes happen we will pay out an extra £100-£150 per month each in pension contributions. I will lose an additional £200 per month in current allowances.
Are we highly qualified and well paid?
Yes.
Will we be able to keep our home when we lose £400-£500per month out of our monthly income? No.
And in case losing our home wasn't enough punishment for working in the public sector, our retirement ages will be shifted to the point where we will likely need to claim incapacity benefits before we can claim our pensions.
And ask yourselves whether you would like your kids taught by a 65 yr old???? We have both been regularly assaulted by youths. My pregnant wife has even had a chair thrown at her by an unruly kid.
This is just the beginning. Teachers, Police, Customs, Fire Brigade, The NHS and many many others are on the list.
There is a simple solution open to the Government that will be accepted with ease. I signed a contract when I started my job some 20 years ago. That contract included a definition of my pension entitlement upon retirement. Honour it. It was part of why I accepted the job. When new employees are recruited their contracts could be individually negotiated and they would choose to accept employment (or not) on the terms required by HMG as written in their contract. This would allow the required change in a more measured way but would also allow the individdual the choice in advance.

Rest assured though that if there is limited support that this will only be the beginning.

[Carrot Cruncher]

I have no doubt that it is tough, like you I could have lost my house at any of the points i was made redundant and my retirement date has changed, the point I was making is that no one, not the unions, not the government, nor anyone else walked out in support of me or offered to pay my mortgage.

The things that are happening in the public sector now have been happening in the private sector for years, contracts torn up, pensions changed, redundancies, and as I said before no one in the public (or private) sector gave a damn until it started to affect them

I truely don't mean it to sound harsh as I know exactly how you feel and it is soul destroying, but it doesn't change the fact that I dont feel inclined, nor do I have the means, to pay more in tax to keep someone else in employment (or pension) in just the same way as they didnt offer to pay or offer support to keep me in employment

[Ian]

I too have been made redundant three times and have also been presented with a new, poorer, contract and told either sign or your out. Each time I have had to move house to a cheaper one in the search for work.

I have worked in the public sector (the job with the new contract or else) and finally left because I could not stand the poor management with their bullying and things like being criticised by my boss for not taking my 'sick days' (people booked sick leave weeks in advance) and the 'March madness' of spending money on anything just to use up the budget by April or else it would be reduced the next year.

I am now retired and living on savings and will not support those that think they are exempt from the changes washing across the world, at the expense of others.

[Meyou]

Being a low paid minion in the civil service, the proposed changes, mixed with what is effectively a pay cut rather than a pay rise, I'm really going to feel the pinch if they get there way. I've seen figures floating around saying its going to be effectively 10% less take home every month...

For a fella who can barely keep from bankruptcy as it is, thats bloody murder!

[diamond lil]

Well......... never having ever earned enough money to buy a house, I had none to lose. If you're used to living on the breadline then nothing can harm you - they cant take off you what you havent got!
Don't have debt, it pulls you under
Never take anything for granted
Never believe the small print
Always have a plan B and C
Study the ways out of anything before you get into it .
That's how we got through seriously tough times.