Public backlash against workers salaries

Vaneigemappreci...
Posts: 1371 Joined: 23-01-04
Submitted by Vaneigemappreci... on 3 November, 2006 - 08:50.

http://icbirmingham.icnetwork.co.uk/mail/news/page.cfm?objectid=18033272&method=full&siteid=50002

roll eyes

pretty reprehensible for a union rep to be earning so much more than the people he is supposed to represent, not really surprising though. I'm presuming his wage is paid through union fees too. I dont know how much the mail is exaggerating the supposed public backlash, but if these people are having to go about their work anonymously because people are ridiculing them for earning a decent wage doing manual jobs then thats pretty sad. I wonder what sort of reaction theyd be if the council managers salaries were published?

WeTheYouth "If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world. - Tolkien"
Posts: 1867 Joined: 16-10-03 Location: Manchester
3 November, 2006 - 14:41
Quote:
They included £39,000 for a bollard cleaner and £53,000 for a white line painter.

But it is the £91,000 paid to union convenor and traffic light repairer Ian Smith - off sick with a bad toe for most of the year - that has incensed city council taxpayers.

That is not a huge salary! the editors of the mail earn way more than that.

Vaneigemappreci...
Posts: 1371 Joined: 23-01-04
3 November, 2006 - 15:07
Quote:
the editors of the mail earn way more than that.

sshhh!

Lazy Riser "Orvillite Allegory"
Posts: 4964 Joined: 06-05-05
3 November, 2006 - 18:49

Hi

It sounds like a gangster style operation where they blackmail management into paying people over the odds for not turning up or not working when they do. I watch “The Sopranos”, I know what goes on. Oh yes.

I’m wondering if public sector remuneration is disclosable under Freedom of Information, it’s funny to watch people take such issue with blue collar workers coining it, but are seemingly happy for GP’s etc to earn a mint. The funny thing is that most local council financing comes from central government, where I live only 25% comes from council tax. I don’t know what it’s like in other places.

Quote:
That is not a huge salary! the editors of the mail earn way more than that.

The readers don’t though. They generally earn a lot less. Also, for the Mail, their salary comes from selling their labour for a cut of the profit in a demanding market, not a tax delivered regardless of how satisfied their customers are with their efforts. Luckily enough a lot of households rely on at least one public sector salary to stay afloat, so the people prepared to take action to cut public sector headcount are going to be a bit marginalised. Wise move from Mr Brown there. I can’t see why it didn’t work in 1979.

Love

LR