Translink/Metro Strike 30th November

saverbuyer

marcowil wrote: »

This makes quite interesting reading

http://blogs.channel4.com/factcheck/factcheck-how-generous-is-danny-alexanders-pensions-deal/8516

Not really. It provides little detail to compare private vs public sector contributions.

As a whole package the public sector get it far far too easy and the private sector are sick of paying for it.

AJQ1506

FurryPaws - You make a comparison between private and public sector. Can you explain how you think someone in the private sector will benefit from the proposed public sector pension reforms?

It sounds like you're saying that because private sector workers have had a raw deal, public sector workers should also get a raw deal - that is a race to the bottom for everyone.

You say "Now in times when the country needs to draw the purse strings":
If so, why was the country recently spending £40 million per week bombing Libya?
If so, why is the country spending £18 billion occupying Afghanistan?
If so, why is the country allowing billions of £ to be avoided in tax by the richest people in the UK?
If so, why can the government sell publicly owed banks to private companies at a £600 million loss?

Those are the things working class people should be getting annoyed about!

Why do you want working class people, who are just like you, to pay for the failings of rich bankers?
Lowering the standards of public sector workers will lead to lower standards for all working class people - can you not see that?

How about this - ALL working class people's standards should be improved by the government. A government is there to serve its people - not the other way about.
This private v public sector argument is propaganda used by people who have no interest in raising standards for any working class person. Don't be fooled by it.

AJQ1506

BigAl94 wrote: »

Far too many civil servants in NI and the bulk of them wouldn't know what a days work is like compared to the private sector!

What evidence do you have to support this? I'd be interested to read it.

What percentage is "the bulk of them"?

Indo77

Private sector, public sector, benefit scroungers - it's all one massive smokescreen to hide the activities of the "banksters" and joe public falls for it all the time. It's also worth noting that many private sector firms in NI simply survive by ripping off the public sector. The chances of the public sector ever questioning these "rip-off" prices compared to another private firm are slim, they just keep signing the cheques. To wish for the demise of much of the public sector is actually detrimental to many private firms.

kidshorsesdogs

Statement on Translink site today

http://www.translink.co.uk/Timetables/Industrial-Action---30th-November-2011/

Translink is advising all its customers that due to industrial action by Unite, GMB, TSSA and SIPTU it will not be possible to operate any scheduled bus or rail services on the 30th November 2011.
Ciaran Rogan, Marketing Executive said, “We apologise and appreciate many passengers will be inconvenienced by this industrial action and want to give as much notice as possible in order that people may make alternative arrangements for travel on that day".
Services will return to normal on the 1st December 2011.
Ticket Compensation Arrangements
Compensation arrangements will be in place for all passengers who have pre-purchased tickets valid for this date and are unable to travel - see details below:
Weekly and Monthly Tickets
Weekly Ticket - 20% discount* off next weekly ticket if purchased between 1st-31st December 2011 inclusively.
Monthly Ticket - 5% discount* off next monthly ticket if purchased between 1st-31st December 2011 inclusively.
*Discounts only available on presentation of valid weekly/monthly ticket at NI Railways Stations and not available online.
Annual Ticket Holders
Current Annual Commuter Card and TaxSmart card holders will receive an £8 discount upon renewal of yearly ticket, providing their current card is valid on the 30 November 2011.
Enterprise Cross-border Rail Tickets
Standard refund policy (administration fee waived) will apply to tickets which cannot be used on 30 November 2011.
iLink
iLink Weekly and Monthly card holders will have deductions (listed below) made on their next top-up.
Adult Child
Zone 1 £4.00 £2.00
Zone 2 £7.00 £3.50
Zone 3 £11.00 £5.50
Deductions can be made at any Ulsterbus Station, NI Railways Station or Metro Kiosk or by post by sending the card to Ticketing Systems Department, Milewater Road, Belfast. No deductions will be made at other Smartlink or PayPoint agents.
Translink Pupil Passes
£5.00 cheque refund will be provided to customers who request a refund on the U16 pass. Over 16s cheque refund will be £8.00. Requests should be made by post to: Ticketing Systems Department, Milewater Road, Belfast.

BigAl94

Traffic chaos 30 November then!

On second thoughts if those in the public sector stay at home, the roads and carparks will be quiet so those in the private sector can get on with it!

ILoveEoin

I cant walk to work as i live 21 miles from work, i dont drive and now going to have to explain to my boss why i cant come to work on 30th and hope i dont get sacked:(

JulieElizabeth

ILoveEoin wrote: »

I cant walk to work as i live 21 miles from work, i dont drive and now going to have to explain to my boss why i cant come to work on 30th and hope i dont get sacked:(

Any boss who doesn't understand your predicament must be a complete ogre! I think you'll just have to take it as annual leave

saverbuyer

ILoveEoin wrote: »

I cant walk to work as i live 21 miles from work, i dont drive and now going to have to explain to my boss why i cant come to work on 30th and hope i dont get sacked:(

If you worked in the public sector you would just take it as part of you annual sick leave "entitlement".

revpeachy

belfastgirl23 wrote: »

Anyone know if airports are likely to be affected at all? DH has a meeting in Manchester that day!

He may just be a little longer going through arrivals. http://www.manchesterairport.co.uk/manweb.nsf/content/boderagencystrikeNov11