Here we go. When are people going to get it, there is not a bottomless pit of money. I've heard for every additional percentage the council staff get in their pay 4 members of staff will loose their jobs. That is the outcome of pay rises, the bottomless pit isn't a reality, there are consiquences to your actions.

Here we go. When are people going to get it, there is not a bottomless pit of money. I've heard for every additional percentage the council staff get in their pay 4 members of staff will loose their jobs. That is the outcome of pay rises, the bottomless pit isn't a reality, there are consiquences to your actions.

Here we go. When are people going to get it, there is not a bottomless pit of money. I've heard for every additional percentage the council staff get in their pay 4 members of staff will loose their jobs. That is the outcome of pay rises, the bottomless pit isn't a reality, there are consiquences to your actions.

"10 years of below inflation pay awards"

Ten years of no inflation pay awards is the norm in some areas of the private sector.

Inflation hasn't even begin to hit yet, i believe we can expect to see rates of 7-12% in the next 2 years because current levels do not price in the effect of oil price rises seen in the last 6 months.

Government tax takes are therefore dropping whilst benefit payouts are increasing. It's time for council staff to knuckle down and endure, job security over the next 2-3 years is a far more valuable asset than a couple of percentage points in a pay rise.

JamesY, you hit the nail on the head! well said. I am betting that interest rates may well rise to 7-9% to offset rising inflation, so time to get that mortgage on a fix rate quick!

Nobody wants to be on strike but equally they know they can't afford not to," he said.

I'm surprised they can afford to be on strike! Must be earning too much money already!

Some of the people on strike do a fantastic job for very low pay. I am talking about care workers and teaching assistants. These people have influence on our children and responsibility for the vulnerable. I personally would want someone of good calibre in these jobs. Not all council workers should be tarred with the same brush. However there is a saying that pay peanuts get monkeys.

Those poor, poor council employees. Up to 31 days holiday per year (in addition to 8 Bank Holidays), a 37 hour Monday to Friday working week, a Final Salary Pension Scheme, FULL sick pay, with very few questions asked- stress being the most popular- "where did I put those paper clips...I CAN'T COPE!!". It is outrageous that they are demanding more money- I have been given a 1.8% pay rise, but appreciate that it is for the good of the company- they could pay everyone more, but in the long term it could cause financial problems, and then I would be unemployed. If nurses were going on strike for more money, I would support them 100%. They do an incredible job for a pittance- they save lives, and help to comfort people. I read an article about a Trading Standards Officer going on strike- it must be very stressful sorting through paperwork in a nice warm office, with the phone ringing every now and then. You knew the pay when you applied for the job, and the pay increase is perfectly reasonable in the current economic climate- many people aren't lucky enough to have a pay rise at all, and many people (particularly builders etc) are finding work increasingly difficult to find- through no fault of their own. SHAME ON YOU COUNCIL EMPLOYEES.

"Protesters threw tomatoes and rotten eggs at the Japanese embassy in Seoul on Wednesday."
Look out..the news has spread...

Funny isn't it. A few weeks/months ago there were a couple of stories about French trawler men blockading a port. Many people on here pointed to how the French don't sit around and let themselves get walked over. When there's something they don't like they get up and strike, blockade etc. The sentiment was that they were better than us as we never complain or stick up for ourselves.

Now that a group of people are sticking up for theirselves what happens? They get nothing but grief from all corners. Some of that grief coming from those very same people who were worshipping at the Temple of French Anarchy. No pleasing some people.

genghis, portland

Many people on here pointed to how the French don't sit around and let themselves get walked over.

Sharpen the guillotine, I hear the drumroll as people (mis)quote Marie Antoinette..let them eat cake.
The Tolpuddle Martyrs must be turning in their graves.

Latest analysis by Ernst & Young indicates that wage growth has progressively slowed since June 2007 dropping from 3.5% to 3.3 % in April this year. The BoE have also acknowledged that there is no indication of a wage-inflation spiral taking hold.
However, when inflation really kicks in then the risk of inflationary wage demands may become a possibility.

In the meantime the favourable settlement of a wage negotiation, after years of below inflation settlements, which began before the beginning of the 2008 financial year could not be considered an excessive demand in fact since current inflation figures have not yet factored in the impact of oil prices the demand is actually significantly below inflation and in accordance with Ernst & Young analysis

''Those poor, poor council employees. Up to 31 days holiday per year (in addition to 8 Bank Holidays), a 37 hour Monday to Friday working week, a Final Salary Pension Scheme, FULL sick pay, with very few questions asked- stress being the most popular- "where did I put those paper clips...I CAN'T COPE!!". It is outrageous that they are demanding more money''

Oh how right you are!! all the above with 3 hour lunch breaks for some as there isn't much work to do, sitting in their offices with half hourly tea trolley visits, free parking and various other benefits... life must be so hard! and yes, off work for 6 months with stress, no questions asked... these are all facts! Pathetic.

jac wrote:

''Those poor, poor council employees. Up to 31 days holiday per year (in addition to 8 Bank Holidays), a 37 hour Monday to Friday working week, a Final Salary Pension Scheme, FULL sick pay, with very few questions asked- stress being the most popular- "where did I put those paper clips...I CAN'T COPE!!". It is outrageous that they are demanding more money''

Oh how right you are!! all the above with 3 hour lunch breaks for some as there isn't much work to do, sitting in their offices with half hourly tea trolley visits, free parking and various other benefits... life must be so hard! and yes, off work for 6 months with stress, no questions asked... these are all facts! Pathetic.

Yeah right - and your 'evidence' is based on where? Certainly not my office that's for sure! Just be sure to hide your contempt next time you are in contact with one of these 'pathetic' beings otherwise you might find yourself treated with the same contempt that you dish out with, it seems, scant regard to the truth.

oooooh! ark @ you cynical_me?! calm yaself down! just agreeing with 'Voice of Reason'. I'm pleased it's not your office.. i didnt insinuate it was!!! but it is like that in the office a friend works in. No contempt at all, just saying it how it IS!.. now run along...the tea trolleys coming! lol

rotfl jac - t'is you that needs to calm yourself down and keep things in perspective - one office is hardly representative of many is it? Now go and find yourself some grown up company x

jac wrote:
oooooh! ark @ you cynical_me?! calm yaself down! just agreeing with 'Voice of Reason'. I'm pleased it's not your office.. i didnt insinuate it was!!! but it is like that in the office a friend works in. No contempt at all, just saying it how it IS!.. now run along...the tea trolleys coming! lol

Well if that is so it's your duty to report your friend and the office she works in to their employers and the council tax payers. I don't know any office where that would be acceptable. So come on if this is true, name and shame.

Voice Of Reason wrote:
Those poor, poor council employees. Up to 31 days holiday per year (in addition to 8 Bank Holidays), a 37 hour Monday to Friday working week, a Final Salary Pension Scheme, FULL sick pay, with very few questions asked- stress being the most popular- "where did I put those paper clips...I CAN'T COPE!!". It is outrageous that they are demanding more money- I have been given a 1.8% pay rise, but appreciate that it is for the good of the company- they could pay everyone more, but in the long term it could cause financial problems, and then I would be unemployed. If nurses were going on strike for more money, I would support them 100%. They do an incredible job for a pittance- they save lives, and help to comfort people. I read an article about a Trading Standards Officer going on strike- it must be very stressful sorting through paperwork in a nice warm office, with the phone ringing every now and then. You knew the pay when you applied for the job, and the pay increase is perfectly reasonable in the current economic climate- many people aren't lucky enough to have a pay rise at all, and many people (particularly builders etc) are finding work increasingly difficult to find- through no fault of their own. SHAME ON YOU COUNCIL EMPLOYEES.

NOW look what you started Voice!! lol I was only agreeing with you and then all these nasty office workers started verbally abusing me! lol SHAME ON YOU VOICE OF REASON!! lol

jac wrote:

Voice Of Reason wrote: Those poor, poor council employees. Up to 31 days holiday per year (in addition to 8 Bank Holidays), a 37 hour Monday to Friday working week, a Final Salary Pension Scheme, FULL sick pay, with very few questions asked- stress being the most popular- "where did I put those paper clips...I CAN'T COPE!!". It is outrageous that they are demanding more money- I have been given a 1.8% pay rise, but appreciate that it is for the good of the company- they could pay everyone more, but in the long term it could cause financial problems, and then I would be unemployed. If nurses were going on strike for more money, I would support them 100%. They do an incredible job for a pittance- they save lives, and help to comfort people. I read an article about a Trading Standards Officer going on strike- it must be very stressful sorting through paperwork in a nice warm office, with the phone ringing every now and then. You knew the pay when you applied for the job, and the pay increase is perfectly reasonable in the current economic climate- many people aren't lucky enough to have a pay rise at all, and many people (particularly builders etc) are finding work increasingly difficult to find- through no fault of their own. SHAME ON YOU COUNCIL EMPLOYEES.

NOW look what you started Voice!! lol I was only agreeing with you and then all these nasty office workers started verbally abusing me! lol SHAME ON YOU VOICE OF REASON!! lol

Cop out jac - where is this office that you refer to and why don't you report it?

jac wrote:

Voice Of Reason wrote: Those poor, poor council employees. Up to 31 days holiday per year (in addition to 8 Bank Holidays), a 37 hour Monday to Friday working week, a Final Salary Pension Scheme, FULL sick pay, with very few questions asked- stress being the most popular- "where did I put those paper clips...I CAN'T COPE!!". It is outrageous that they are demanding more money- I have been given a 1.8% pay rise, but appreciate that it is for the good of the company- they could pay everyone more, but in the long term it could cause financial problems, and then I would be unemployed. If nurses were going on strike for more money, I would support them 100%. They do an incredible job for a pittance- they save lives, and help to comfort people. I read an article about a Trading Standards Officer going on strike- it must be very stressful sorting through paperwork in a nice warm office, with the phone ringing every now and then. You knew the pay when you applied for the job, and the pay increase is perfectly reasonable in the current economic climate- many people aren't lucky enough to have a pay rise at all, and many people (particularly builders etc) are finding work increasingly difficult to find- through no fault of their own. SHAME ON YOU COUNCIL EMPLOYEES.

NOW look what you started Voice!! lol I was only agreeing with you and then all these nasty office workers started verbally abusing me! lol SHAME ON YOU VOICE OF REASON!! lol

So asking you to name which particular office/workers you are referring to is abuse? Strange. As you state your allegation is FACT and your obvious contempt of local government and/or civil service workers I would have thought making this public would score you maximum points. So if it's fact here's your chance to name and shame. If it's true I for one will be complaining to whichever Council office it is.

I take from the silence that the bluff has been called and that this supposed fact won't even get into the urban myth section.