Without wanting to sound like a cracked record, there is a time and place for everything - and asking for pay rises and conditions that are unaffordable in the current climate is not one of them.
And it is not as if the demands of these elitist groups have been ignored by their employers - the State Services Commission.
In fact it has become a nightmare for struggling kiwis who don’t have access to the bargaining power of the Public Service Unions being forced to watch these bloated individuals rejecting offers that would be gladly accepted by most of the populous.
I find it insulting that these self entitled manipulators of public opinion would have the gall to treat their fellow human beings with such contempt.
We are being held to ransom by a bunch of idealogical zealots (the union leaders) with an exaggerated opinion of their own self worth and opposition parties who grovel at their feet in an attempt to curry favour while “Rome burns”
We have watched what happens to a country (Gaza) when those who hold control over the lives of innocents use their authority in a totally self serving manner.
Although the Middle East is an extreme example of violent corrupt leadership, in my mind and in many ways, our own PSA spokespersons are not too far behind with their callous indifference to the parlous state of the many who rely on their constituency for daily survival.
Isn’t this a time that requires self sacrifices from all those who are in a position to forgo what would normally be considered affordable wage and salary increases.
My guess is that we will not have to wait too long before our economy rebounds and the opportunity to claim increases that are considered justified but have been delayed, are once again up for negotiation.
Because the only people who will suffer from this round of strike action are the people who are already struggling to survive physically and mentally.
We need to get things in perspective before another death occurs as the result of colateral damage from these selfish actions.
Time for a reality check.
Clive Bibby is a commentator, consultant, farmer and community leader, who lives in Tolaga Bay.
13 comments:
I think it's Clive who needs a reality check, tarring the NZ public sector unions and Hamas with the same brush, and demanding that doctors, nurses and teachers forego pay increases because some other workers earn less.
That ain't the way the world works!
It’s all about timing Barend
This Government was elected to cut government spending and so, while the economy struggles to recover from the Covid era, it has no choice but to cut the fat in areas where it has responsibility,
My point is that while the rest of the nation’s private sector industries are either going broke or making redundancies, there needs to be a change in attitude amongst government employees .
Like the private sector, especially in the current economic climate, jobs should be seen as a “priviledge” - not a “right” and all employment opportunities should be based on the the employer’s ability to pay.
Completely with you Clive. I am embarrassed on behalf of all who took to the streets - some with their flags of Hamas! - manifesting a deep failure of the power of reason.
I agree with you at an objective, detached level, Clive......... but we are both retired and can afford to be objective and detached whereas people working as teachers, nurses or whatever and having a hard time making ends meet don't have that luxury.
Barend , Two points that may bridge your comments related to Clives excellent article . Have you paid workers wages and entitlements from your own bank account? The teachers and nurses are significantly better paid than the average wage earner. Yes the Government ie taxpayer who pays them is deep, very deep in debt and NZ private business is also struggling.
All NZ needs to reign in spending, in every facet to make progress.
I agree with you, Anon 1044. My problem is with the expectation that ANY worker will happily drop industrial action aimed at getting more money when that industrial action is likely to be successful.
Altruism is a rarity. Don't expect the strikers to do what Clive and you regard as "the right thing".
Oh really Barend. Do you know of any teachers, nurses or doctors who are struggling to make ends meet - thought not!
It depends on the number of incomes (if we're talking couples). A family on a single teaching or nursing income is financially doomed unless Bank Daddy & Mummy help out in a big way.
Oh come on Barend.
Your examples just don’t stack up.
They must be on janitor’s wages in order to need Mum and Dad’s help.
or their accomodation preferences are a tad too extravagant. Time to get real.
Sorry, Clive, but you are several decades out of date. A very ornery family home now will set you back a couple of hundred grand down and then a weekly mortgage approaching a grand for the next quarter century. Try that on a net income of perhaps $1200 weekly (I did say "on a single income").
There are plenty of working solo parents on much less than nurses or teachers. They just learn to cut the cloth according to their means. As the old saying goes. And plenty of them work two jobs, one full time. I have two on my payroll. They need plenty of support with childcare.
Clive, do you have a basic understanding of why members pay a Union to negotiate their employment contract/conditions?
Clive - apart from the government employees manning the front lines, there will be 5 to 10 extra employees in support ( i use the term very loosely).
These people will enjoy a 9 o'clock sign in, morning tea at 10am, an hours lunch break at 12, a paid afternoon tea break at 3pm, with knock off at 5pm, 5 days a week.
Have you experienced similar conditions when out sod busting on your farm ?
Your taxes go into the pay packets of the aforementioned government employees.
While you are struggling to stay afloat in the very unpredictable farming business, these people are demanding you work harder to pay them more !
And the Palestinian problem is probably your fault also !
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