A very predictable pattern of events have unfolded the past week or so . I refer, of course, to the National Strike by members of the public sector. It inevitably degenerated into sporadic brawling & clashes with police, and the usual measure of violence and intimidation directed at colleagues blessed with a sense of responsibility i.e those who wanted to go back to work, or simply wish to keep an eye on exam-writing pupils!
Reports were also received of pupils who were physically assaulted by striking teachers, and parents who had to leave their places of work to fetch their kids from school because the safety of the children could no longer be guaranteed! What a wonderfull educational dispensation do we not now have that allows this sort of thuggery firstly, to take place, and secondly, to go unpunished...because unpunished it will certainly go!
Are these people really being paid too little? Well, certainly not in the case of those who have behaved violently towards pupils and co-workers. These aren't isolated cases. Probably a good 10% , if not more, are quilty of violence & intimidation. They should be sacked immediately. Another 20-30% are cleaners & sweepers which is the most overpayed category in the public sector. Not a penny more for them. The remaining 60% or so can (very generously) be split into two. Half of them simply pitch up every day, do as little as possible whilst counting the minutes to knocking-off time. They don't deserve a raise either. The other half (or remaining 30%) are those that are actually responsible for making the public service what it is, which isn't much...but they are far more deserving of a raise than the first 70%. Give them 6-8%, take it or leave it. If they don't like it, LET THEM STRIKE TILL THE COWS COME HOME, however long it takes. Giving in to violence and unreasonable demands will simply re-energise an arrogant Trade Union movement bent on periodically paralyzing the public sector.
At the same time, however, government should, as a sign of good faith, announce the reversal of a recent decision which gave politicians even more ludicrous pay- hikes. Did I say cleaners & sweepers are the most overpayed category in the public sector?
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Concur with the sentiments. However I believe certain dedicated and skilled employees in the public sector (particularly policemen, nurses & teachers) should be paid market-related salaries comparable to the private sector for similar work.
Perhaps a way to do this would be to promote deserving employees to a higher pay-scale position while still increasing each pay scale by 6 - 8%.
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