mattx Posted June 24, 2008 Posted June 24, 2008 Yay, strike! We get to burn car tyres at the entrance to schools and shout 'scab' at our colleagues! Just like a normal day at the office then.....
Jobos Posted June 24, 2008 Posted June 24, 2008 BBC NEWS | Politics | Council staff agree strike dates Its 16th and 17th of July The 16th is Leicester city’s last day and the county finishes on the 11th so the strike won’t have any effect on schools here.
duncane Posted June 24, 2008 Posted June 24, 2008 Firstly... GOOD GRIEF! How do you find the time to write all this - I only got five minutes off over lunch to read through this, and it's ballooned to three times the size before I got home! The problem is who exercises this "restraint" not the tanker drivers or any other group who can hold the country to ransom through strike action, not the many high level managers with their sizeable salaries who are able to shop round the world for the best jobs. No the people who are asked to exercise restraint are those on low wages such as most Unison members. At a time when their outgoings are undeniably rising due to higher fuel costs, higher food costs, higher debt costs (including mortgages). These are basic needs that they will not be able to meet. They are the people who should have their pay cut for the next 3 years? I think this is the key for me. As a percentage of our income, the increase in cost of basic items - not luxuries - is far greater than the better off. To them, it's not taking a holiday, or buying fewer bottles of wine. We shouldn't be the ones being asked to show restraint - we've already had our tax rate doubled so that the better off can have their taxes cut. If we don't act to protect our interests, everyone else will have their pay increases, which will push up inflation, and we'll be even worse off. We have to peddle furiously just to stay still - we literally can't afford not to do anything. As to the the 16th & 17th - yup, not much good - the schools are already shut, so I won't get the opportunity to show my support.
cookie_monster Posted June 24, 2008 Posted June 24, 2008 the schools are already shut, so I won't get the opportunity to show my support. Can you not go join the local council line as they are your employers after all?
duncane Posted June 24, 2008 Posted June 24, 2008 Can you not go join the local council line as they are your employers after all? My support would be shown by my withdrawal of labour - if I'm not actually due to work that day, and am therefore not giving anything up (i.e. a day's wage) - why would joining a picket line be a meaningful act of support? Besides, there are limits on picket lines - and rightly so - I understand people who can't support the strike (perhaps because they can't even afford to lose one day's wage - I know some people who are in that bad a financial strait), and I wouldn't want them to be intimidated by a large angry crowd. I don't think that's fair - I understand it's a hard choice.
cookie_monster Posted June 24, 2008 Posted June 24, 2008 I was offering it as a solution if you wanted to show your support not as a criticism. I'm also not the type to stand outside screaming scab at people.
witch Posted June 24, 2008 Posted June 24, 2008 Hightower I don't think I said that this country has got it right, did I? You didn't answer the question I asked. Cookie Monster - I did say that the low levels of pay were not right, if you read my post. I just think that not paying some people more money doesn't really help much I'm sure you do work very hard as well:)
wesleyw Posted June 24, 2008 Posted June 24, 2008 Wouldn't it be easier just to put a stop to the spongers? People off with medical benefits should have tests every 6 months if they haven't got a problem the benefits stop. People who refuse/turn down five job offers whilst on benefit lost the benefit. People who refuse to go to job interviews same. At least then the government can have a little more money to help the current problems. 2
CyberNerd Posted June 24, 2008 Author Posted June 24, 2008 Wouldn't it be easier just to put a stop to the spongers? successive governments have tried People off with medical benefits should have tests every 6 months if they haven't got a problem the benefits stop. incapacity benefit is checked by a doctor annually, unless someone has a terminal illness. People who refuse/turn down five job offers whilst on benefit lost the benefit. People who refuse to go to job interviews same. Thats generous, currently you'd loose jobseekers allowance if you refused an interview, let alone a job offer ! Theres always going to be an element of spongers who give the rest of the system a bad name
Guest blacksheep Posted June 24, 2008 Posted June 24, 2008 Im another with a family to feed and its getting harder. Did the teaching staff get their rise they wanted?? Really not sure on this but id expect so, plus they are on a good wage already IMO. Fed up with the double-standards, arnt we all? I am. I can see my servers playing up around that time, but I think they'd have to close the school anwyays, no caretaker, kitchen staff etc...
somabc Posted June 24, 2008 Posted June 24, 2008 It must be tough for some City bonuses fall for first time in 5 years | Business | guardian.co.uk
cookie_monster Posted June 25, 2008 Posted June 25, 2008 @ wesleyw: sooo difficult but i do know that the NHS are starting to get tough on these issues, 'everyone' has to have a back to work interview if they have been off for more than a few days. People on long term sick are offered redeployment if it can be proved that their job is causing their illness, if their long term illness is not caused by their job then after medical consultation their employment is terminated. Some say this is harsh but there is only so long that you can pay someone to do a job that they aren't doing.
witch Posted June 25, 2008 Posted June 25, 2008 Local council also do 'back to work' interviews, as does Asda! A very good idea in my opinion, as long as the person doing the interview is actually trained to do it so that they can spot underlying problems, skivers etc
Sirbendy Posted June 25, 2008 Posted June 25, 2008 (edited) The inspections are useless...and before anyone says anything, I am speaking AS a disabled person, albeit one who's worked from day 1 and refused to "play the system" as it were. I've seen too many people with the motability car, massive benefits, sticks, chairs etc that in the privacy of their own homes are as able or more so than I..yet the second they go out in public or think they're being watched adopt the "hunched over, "woe is me I can barely stand"" act..then they sit there and crow at me about how great it is that they get their pick of a new car every 3 years, they get all this benefit, "you should reapply - I'll even alter your paperwork and act as witness" etc..I've come close to chairing people before..it annoys me that much. I have an EX-Motability motor, it's mine, I like it. I am on the lowest rate mobility allowance, and I have a self bought fold up walking stick..and that's me happy. I've seen it in pubs as well...whatever day of the week is benefits day, the number of walking aids that appears is magic..yet any other time, everyone's fine. The system is FAR too lenient and trusting, and FAR too easy to play. They need to do stealth observations of claimants, not advertised ones..be proactive and they'll catch so many out. They also need to tighten up the whole system - it's so open to abuse it's laughable. Those that tell me I'm a fool and should exaggerate my condition to get more cash etc really sod me off...I worked damn hard to be upright, walking and self supporting - I'm not going to play the damn "spanner card"...I'd rather take pride in things and know that I earn my money. Those that are genuinely badly/medium term affected - yes, aid them. Others..hell no. Move them into more suited job roles that fit their needs, don't just sign them off. Make the buggers work. If I can work with heavy surgery to both legs, a duff knee, no balance, limited motor control and CP with no issues, with nothing more than frequent rest breaks, access to a lift for moving stock, and a decent chair...there's no excuse. We're even kitting the new facility out to suit less able people, which will make my life even easier.. Sorry..minor rant.. Edited June 25, 2008 by Sirbendy
cookie_monster Posted June 25, 2008 Posted June 25, 2008 (edited) @ witch: yeh i know local councils but it's doesn't seem to spread out to schools i've noticed even thought they should use the same policies. Do they where you are? @Sirbendy They need to do stealth observations of claimants, not advertised ones..be proactive and they'll catch so many out They actually do this more and more now in the NHS to catch people who are on sick but doing another job (at the same time), the problem is that it's very expensive and time consuming. They don't seem to want to gamble on implementing it fully in case they don't make the projected savings, which personally i think would be massive. Edited June 25, 2008 by cookie_monster
MK-2 Posted June 25, 2008 Posted June 25, 2008 someone who works here applied for a job at one of the places that does incapacity benefit interviews. she had to sit in on one of these interviews and said it was appalling. the woman was being told she had to find a job and would have her benefit stopped if she didnt. she produced evidence that she had a job as a cleaner and was off because she had a serious illness (tumour or something of the sort i think she said). she loved the job and wanted to get back but had been told she couldnt due to the illness. the interviewer wasn't aware of that but still said unless she started applying for other jobs she would have her benefit taken away. they couldnt do anything to assist her while she was waiting to return to work, only say they would cut her benefit unless she took ANOTHER job. yes i know it may be isolated case, but as witch stated, these sort of interviews are only good if the interviewer knows what they are doing.
witch Posted June 25, 2008 Posted June 25, 2008 cookie monster: I don't think they run the interviews in schools, but you are right, they should. MK-2 That is a very sad story - presumably the woman in question should have been advised to go onto sickness benefit with her evidence of illness. sirbendy - I applaud your courage and determination - but I hope you ARE taking all that you are entitled to (not playing the system, I don't mean that). These benefits are there to help people like you and make your life easier, and you pay your taxes like everyone else,so you should benefit.
ninjabeaver Posted June 25, 2008 Posted June 25, 2008 I was talking to my Bursar about the upcoming possible strike. She said she had done some calculation, and basically, for every day off we will need to ask for an extra 0.5% pay increase on top of the 2.45% to pay off our days loss of wages within 1 year. So thats 1% needed for the two day strike. Plus we then have to top up our pensions in Norfolk as well as its deemed a break in service. Personally, I'm fed up with the yearly strikes just to get ourselves the wages that we deserve.
Sirbendy Posted June 25, 2008 Posted June 25, 2008 In theory I should qualify for a blue badge...however, last time I was assessed I was..12? Ish. I could walk maybe 1/4 mile with crutches, and rest stops. I don't recall being evaluated since. That wasn't long after coming off the chair for the xth time. I've been told several times that I don't qualify - and to be quite honest I'm past caring..heh..the more walking I do, the better it is. I can now do the 20 minute walk each way into my local town and back for the shopping, as long as I can sit and chill once or twice on the way. It's understood that carrying heavy kit up and down I can't do, and high level work is not happening..it's dodgy enough standing on tables doing projectors as the second I raise my arms above my head, I tend to fall over...imagine showering, and you see the issue. . Fine soldering (in fact, fine work in general) is more akin to slash'n'burn repair. It's also known that I have little or no feeling in my feet, so I have to be careful with that, and I have no temperature sense..so I need water on hand most of the time and in theory I'm not allowed to cook, as I can't feel what's hot. All in all, it's minor inconveniences. I worked in mainframe IT originally at the council and doing off site support, then moved into schools for the breaks and "less strenuous hours"..although 8.30-5.15 is not that different.. It can be tiring, but it's also fun. I'd go SPARE sat at home moping. In a way, I'm thankful for my condition..it's quite an eye opener to see how badly designed and implemented some buildings are when you're in a chair/scooter/on crutches..but there are always ways and means round it..it's not like we're in the stone age here. That's why I get so annoyed..occupational health wallahs are there to assist if you need special kit..there's not much excuse! Some members of the DMF (Disabled Motorists Federation) I know are FAR worse than I am, and they're merrily doing voluntary work and fundraising, organising trips to russia to help over there and so on..we have it easy over here even if we're less able..there really is no reason to wallow..
cookie_monster Posted June 25, 2008 Posted June 25, 2008 It's all doom UK unemployment rate predicted to rise to 8% by 2010
MK-2 Posted June 25, 2008 Posted June 25, 2008 I want the BFG9000 then, or the chainsaw.. only if i can pick up the beserk sphere and knuckle duster!
alonebfg Posted July 10, 2008 Posted July 10, 2008 (edited) 1. Reliance on foreign oil and gas. 2. Useless muppets in power. They micromanage far too much, but don't provide any decent long term plans - look at transport. There are loads of short term schemes but no overall country-wide transport plan. 3. The availability of cheap credit. Borrowing is simply out of control. 4. Linked to #2 is the lack of a plan on what the UK will be doing to bring money in in the long term. We've lost most manufacturing jobs to overseas now, and many banks are now HQ'd offshore, IT jobs are being offshored etc... What will sustain the UK? What are we going to be exporting to the world? Whilst a decent pay increase may make us feel appreciated/help us pay our bills better in the short term, it certainly won't help us for long. All it will do is compound the existing problems that we have already. We need someone in the government who can actually manage things properly. Ok no 1 yes we are Reliance on foreign oil and gas but where else do we get we dont produce enough and the price on fuel is a big issue the goverment dont want the price to go down because they will get less tax. and befor you say its per gallon yes it is but it is twice * 50.35 pence per litre for ultra-low sulphur unleaded petrol/diesel * 53.65 pence per litre for conventional unleaded petrol * 56.94 pence per litre for conventional diesel * 30.35 pence per litre for bio-diesel and bio ethanol - low tax to encourage consumer conversion * 16.49 pence per kg for gas other than natural gas (LPG) * 13.70 pence per kg for natural gas used as road fuel. * 9.69 pence per litre for rebated gas oil (red diesel) * 9.29 pence per litre for rebated fuel oil and then you add your vat on as well so the goverment dont cae about rising fuel cost and the thing is we pay for it as all good get transported. 2 and 4 i agree with 3 The availability of cheap credit. Borrowing is simply out of control. This is true but if it was not cheap we would not be able to afford houses cars etc etc but then the goverment gets there bit of that people borrow because they cant afford to buy direct. strike is a good thing I am a unison steward and the facts are scary people dont want to strike but sometimes it is the only way a goverment will listen and one thing someone said to me is labour wanted uniouns and supported them then they came to power and now they are not so keen on them. Wouldn't it be easier just to put a stop to the spongers? People off with medical benefits should have tests every 6 months if they haven't got a problem the benefits stop. People who refuse/turn down five job offers whilst on benefit lost the benefit. People who refuse to go to job interviews same. At least then the government can have a little more money to help the current problems. agree with this totally just one more thing to add mps can claim enormus amounts of money for the 2 homes and MPS have voted to keep controversial second home allowances which allow them to claim up to £24,000 of taxpayers' cash for household goods and improvements each year. so hold on that £14400000 for the whole lot and they get others see here http://www.politics.co.uk/issue-briefs/domestic-policy/constitution/mps-pay-and-allowances/mps-pay-and-allowances-$366586.htm Why cant they lose some and pass it on to in the form of a payrise. sorry this is a bit late on i just needed to get it out my system. Edited July 10, 2008 by alonebfg
beeswax Posted July 11, 2008 Posted July 11, 2008 cookie monster: I don't think they run the interviews in schools, but you are right, they should. They already do this for teachers. sirbendy - I applaud your courage and determination - but I hope you ARE taking all that you are entitled to (not playing the system, I don't mean that). These benefits are there to help people like you and make your life easier, and you pay your taxes like everyone else,so you should benefit. Can I second this? The government budgets for X amount of disability benefit to be paid out a year. Very rarely is all this money paid out. They will tell us how much benefits are costing us a year, but not the fact that they've budgeted for more than this to be paid out. We all pay taxes in order to provide society with the things we can't afford as individuals. The government of the day decides how this should be divided up; in your case they say they estimate there are X number of people deserving of disability benefit and calculate the amount they need to put aside to pay for it. Your pride in standing on your own two feet (pardon any unintended insult here) is working against you. If you claim what you deserve are you going to pack in your job and spend every lunchtime in the pub 'wasting' taxpayers money, or are you going to carry on working (and paying taxes) and contribute usefully to society?
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