Crunch time for council workers’ golden pensions

movingforward2010

donaldtramp wrote: »

Whos doing the Sweeping statements now eh?

9 out of 10 threads on this board contain something along these lines, nothing like an easy target eh?:rolleyes:

Davesnave

If we go back to the original post, it's saying that there's a funding gap for final salary public service pensions, which is unsustainable. I wouldn't disagree with that, or indeed with the idea that some significant cuts can be achieved within the public sector.

However, many of us who invested our working lives to the public sector, frequently put up with poor conditions and relatively low pay in order to obtain the benefit of security in later life, so we find it odd that, in some eyes, we're now, suddenly, especially privileged.

I went through four years at uni before becoming qualified to teach, but instead, went into industry for a while to gain enough money to catch-up with friends, who'd gone straight to work from school. While there, doing a menial job, which still paid more than a new teacher's salary, I was offered a place in management. I declined the offer, not only because I distrusted the ability of British industry to escape from the stranglehold of unions and petty demarcation, but also because teaching offered the other rewards, beyond immediate cash.

As it happens, I was wrong about the company I worked for: they survived and my daughter is now employed by them. C'est la vie...If my decision had gone the other way, however, I doubt if my situation would be worse now. I would still be retired, on a final salary pension scheme, and I would also have a significant share portfolio as a result of profit sharing.

The only difference I can perceive is that I wouldn't have donald, and others, banging on about how many holidays I've had and how my 'gold-plated' gross pension of £12k is crippling the nation.

Tell me donald, are you talking about the present or the past? In my mind what's done is done. Today's workers, public or private, will make their decisions based on prevailing conditions, and if they don't like them, they will walk. Simple as that.

Meanwhile, I will tend my smallholding. I have the feeling the future holds belt-tightening for all of us.;)

donaldtramp

The only difference I can perceive is that I wouldn't have donald, and others, banging on about how many holidays I've had and how my 'gold-plated' gross pension of £12k is crippling the nation.

Tell me donald, are you talking about the present or the past? In my mind what's done is done. Today's workers, public or private, will make their decisions based on prevailing conditions, and if they don't like them, they will walk. Simple as that.

A great proportion of your pension was paid up by taxpayers, FACT.
You are just one person out of millions of people who over the coming decades will bankrupt Britain so I don't fall for this "it's just poor little me and my almost trivial pension".
What about all the low paid private sector staff who have had NO pension yet have contributed to YOURS through taxes??

You distrusted British industry and went running for the safety of the public sector because you didn't trust their ability to overthrow unions.
I have no doubt in my mind that you will be right behind those strangling, petty unions when it comes to defending the ludicrous public sector pension entitlemnents.
Strange what happens eh?
I don't care what the unions think. Public will is against them and with little public support, they will be broken and laws and entitlements will be changed.

It might be in your mind whats done is done but governements have the ability to change the law especially if there is backing from the public.
There is going to be a lot of re-writing of entitlements as this black hole is dealt with.

bendix

wxmlad wrote: »

9 out of 10 threads on this board contain something along these lines, nothing like an easy target eh?:rolleyes:

If you come on this board snivelling and complaining that the so-called DM readers won't let your get your argument in, you need to have a good word with yourself.

If you have a cogent argument, let's hear it, instead of bleating that you're getting beaten up.

lemonjelly

Cogent arguements have been put forward, & sidestepped & not answered by blinkered individuals who have an overwhelming sense of self-importance.

Paradoxically, they say:
Originally Posted by bendix
The joy of the public sector is that the more unnecessary a role or department is, the more self-important it feels.

SuzieSue

lemonjelly wrote: »

Cogent arguements have been put forward, & sidestepped & not answered by blinkered individuals who have an overwhelming sense of self-importance.

Paradoxically, they say:
Originally Posted by bendix
The joy of the public sector is that the more unnecessary a role or department is, the more self-important it feels.

This is absolutely the case in my experience. It is the paramedics and nurses who do the real jobs and get the least recognition.

SuzieSue

SuzieSue wrote: »

This is absolutely the case in my experience. It is the paramedics and nurses who do the real jobs and get the least recognition.

They should be the ones getting the massive bonuses, not the management.

StevieJ

SuzieSue wrote: »

This is absolutely the case in my experience. It is the paramedics and nurses who do the real jobs and get the least recognition.

Not sure about that, they are the masses darlings BTW my sister is a nurse and she seems quite happy with her lot.

SuzieSue

StevieJ wrote: »

Not sure about that, they are the masses darlings BTW my sister is a nurse and she seems quite happy with her lot.

I'm glad your sister is happy, but there is masses of bureaucracy and waste throughout the public sector which we cannot now afford and needs to stopped immediately.

SuzieSue

SuzieSue wrote: »

I'm glad your sister is happy, but there is masses of bureaucracy and waste throughout the public sector which we cannot now afford and needs to stopped immediately.

I know, because as I said previously, my sister, unlike yours, is doing an unnecessary job in the public sector, as are all her colleagues who are getting very large pay packets and bonuses every year.