Jules. Posted October 5, 2007 Share Posted October 5, 2007 I work for an international bank.... but still qualify for Working Tax Credits. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted October 5, 2007 Share Posted October 5, 2007 if you work in the money business you are held with more esteem than if you care for the sick and dying The problem is that it's not only people like postmen, nurses or firemen that are having their pensions mucked about with, and no payrises. But when they go on strike, people care, because they make a noticable difference to peoples every day life. Sadly, with a postal strike, it makes things worse for people - companies don't get payments through the post, customers send payments that aren't received before payment dates, and incur late penalties, appojntments are missed because of lost appontment cards, etc, etc. When firemen go on strike, peoples lives are put at risk. But other people are in the same boat. Chookiehubbie works as a team manager for an international financial insitution and I can assure you that he earns nowhere near £45,000 and receives no regional wieghting, despite working in Edinburgh, second only to London for house prices and cost of living expenses. He hasn't had an annual payrise for 4 years, and the last payrise before that was 1.4%, all because of 'cost-cutting'. In the meantime, the 'big bosses' continue to enjoy massive salaries, share issues and company cars, oblivious to the despair amongst the staff below them. He and his collegues are absolutely not treated with anymore esteem than nurses, doctors or firemen, and I think that you will find that the vast majority of people who work in the financial industry earn less than your avarage nurse. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlottechicken Posted October 5, 2007 Share Posted October 5, 2007 Civil Servant, and I qualify for Working Tax Credit (the low pay one as I don't have children) My latest pay offer is a three year deal worth a total of minus 10% off my salary at the end of it (2 years will equate to no rise at all). It has been rejected and if a better deal with the same amount of money isn't produced by the bosses, we will also be on strike. Not an easy decision, as there is no strike pay, and you have to think about having enough money to get by when you have to take these sort of actions. I don't mind being on a low wage, I manage somehow, but when basics you expect like pensions and cost of living rises are tampered with, you have to do something I suppose I support the posties, they have to fight for what they think is right, it isn't a decision taken lightly. It will affect me, but it may affect me a lot more if they lose jobs and end up claiming benefits Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted October 5, 2007 Share Posted October 5, 2007 Humph. All I can add to this is that you should try running a small business in this country. Not easy, I can tell you, plus there is never a staedy wage & we never know when the next cheque will be coming (a long time if the strike continues ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubereglu Posted October 5, 2007 Share Posted October 5, 2007 Are there any Posties on here to give a fair and balanced point of view? Paul is, this is Mel (and Paul) I'm talking about. Royal Mail are so annoying, but what's intriguing is that we're still getting post! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted October 5, 2007 Share Posted October 5, 2007 They've been collecting from the box opposite all day and we had post this morning Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
susiepoos Posted October 5, 2007 Share Posted October 5, 2007 well it looks like we are all in the same boat then I guess the grass is always greener on the other side but what is the answer to all of this I'd hate to be on my death bed and say I wish I'd.................. My Mum always wanted me to be a hairdresser - don't ask me why as I'm not privvy to that maybe I would have been happier if I had but I guess someone will tell me they have a bad lot as well. Nevermind when I win the lottery - oops! that reminds me - well off to the shop to get my ticket Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
starboyhull Posted October 5, 2007 Author Share Posted October 5, 2007 I just have to add that I dont agree everyone should get "cost of living extras" everything in modern business has to evolve around money and if the money isnt there then the money isnt there, simple. I agree with the management of the Royal mail (although if they just gave in it would save us small businesses a lot of hassle) but in the long run all of our postage costs would go up to cover this....... If it means job cuts, then it means that they dont need the amount of people they have......Just like with the NHS, if it was better organised they would need less people, I have lots of friends in the NHS that tell me "oh its a doddle theres nothing to do" which really annoys me, and then in the next breath they are striking about pay and conditions as people are being made redundant......Its about time people looked at what they have to do and their own responsibilites and get on with the job at hand, if the money isnt there, then ts not there and the more strikes they do, the more customers they will lose and more jobs will go....... Like Sarah says....Trying running a small business with problems like this......Its impossible! Anyway I must stop ranting ill give myself high blood pressure LOL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bad eggs Posted October 7, 2007 Share Posted October 7, 2007 My hubby is a postman and has been for 30 years. He certainly doesn't earn 20k a year. I fully support his decision to strike. All the postmen are asking is to be treated fairly and paid a decent wage for the amount of work they do. Cutting staff and hours will only make things worse. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cate in NZ Posted October 7, 2007 Share Posted October 7, 2007 I chatted to my lovely postman at work a few days ago, and he didn't want to strike but felt that he had no choice given management demands. I support them, even if it means that I might not get my daily deliveries of junk mail etc until Weds. I reckon I can wait . Sadly these days I communicate with anyone important by phone or email, the bills and junk come by post . On the NHS theme, I agree with most of the posts, I too am disillusioned with the NHS and can rant with the best of you, but I'm a nurse too and over the years my job has been an honour and a privilege . I have participated in the very best and the worst times in people's lives and I have tried my darndest to make a difference every inch of the way. I didn't go into the job to get rich, but there are fabulous nurses out there embracing new challenges and driving the profession forwards, and earning decent financial remuneration for their efforts. I chose deliberately to put my family first and work part time and in the main have no regrets. Luckily hubby earns a good wage and we can afford for me to work part time, but surely no nurse ever goes into the job to be wealthy . It's a public sector job with a limit to the salary available, but there's great opportunities out there for them that wants to grab 'em . I'm over worked, underpaid, but I'm valued and I've brought babies into the world and held people's hands as they've died.............. I've made a difference and I thank my lucky stars that I've ben priviledged enough to do both. Oh, and I love the bureaucracy of the NHS so much that I'm emigrating to New Zealand next year Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theherd123 Posted October 7, 2007 Share Posted October 7, 2007 Oh, and I love the bureaucracy of the NHS so much that I'm emigrating to New Zealand next year Im fed up of it too - is there room in your suitcase for me? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cate in NZ Posted October 7, 2007 Share Posted October 7, 2007 Oh, and I love the bureaucracy of the NHS so much that I'm emigrating to New Zealand next year Im fed up of it too - is there room in your suitcase for me? I've negotiated a 46kg luggage allowance , so if you weigh less than that you're welcome Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theherd123 Posted October 7, 2007 Share Posted October 7, 2007 The diet starts tomorrow! What are the suitcase dimensions - im doing yoga at the minute so that should help! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted October 7, 2007 Share Posted October 7, 2007 Very funny. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
