Some of the main features of the three-year agreement which would run to June 2016 include:
* Those currently on a working week of less than 35 hours will in future work a minimum of 37 hours - [No big deal here, but it wont happen]
* Those working between 35 and under 39 hours will have to put in at least 39 hours, with additional hours helping to cut public sector numbers[Rank and File Public Servants will spit on this and it has no chance]
* Reduced overtime rates, down to time and half for those on less than €35,000; time and a quarter for those earning more than €35,000[Much overtime has been cut already and all this will do is increase those working for time in lieu]
* Public servants currently on a 39 hour week will provide an unpaid hour’s overtime [Just when Public Servants dont want to concede an inch after all the concessions already made]
* So-called twilight payments - for work between 6pm and 8pm - will be abolished [No big deal, but important to those working long days, a sour taste though and just another nail in the public service workers coffin]
* A reduced Sunday rate of pay, down from double-time to time-and-three-quarters.[Another reduction on top of those already mentioned, no chance of being accepted]
* A three-year freeze on annual pay rises for those earning more than €65,000 [Some light here, I'd love to be earning over €65,000]
* Public sector workers with salaries between €35,000 and €65,000 will get two 15-monthly rather than annual pay rises over the period of the agreement.[Another beating by those who are beating public servants already]
* Those on less than €35,000 will have a three-month postponement on their first due pay rise, before returning to annual increments as normal[Just another joke]
* Those at the top of their pay scales will have to give up six days annual leave over the next three years or offer an equivalent cash deduction from their salary[over their dead bodies]
* High-earners will have their salaries and allowances cut 5.5 per cent for those between €65,000 and €80,000; with 8 per cent off earnings between €80,000 and €150,000; 9 per cent off pay between €150,000 and €185,000; and 10 per cent shaved off any earnings above €185,000[Irrelelevant to the rank and file proles]
* The cuts would mean someone on €100,000 salary and allowances would be down €6,000 to €94,000; someone on €160,000 would have their earnings cut to €149,100; while a top public servant on €200,000 would see their pay cut to €185,350 [The rank and file wont even read this]
* Supervision and substitution payments for teaching staff to be ended.[Dont bet on it]
* Other cutbacks include changes to flexitime, work sharing arrangements, redeployment provisions, new performance management arrangements and pay-grade restructuring [Discussions wont even reach this far]
I listened to RTE Radio News at 4.00pm today. The unions couldnt say what they negotiated; the government spokespeople couldn't help either. But press statements are being prepared.
If I were a union official I would be worried about the mass resignations to membership if any of the above proceeds beyond next week.
If I were a politician I would be worried that any loyalty from rank and file civil servants would remain.
The Gardaí have already cast contempt for the above. The Irish Nurses Organisation have thrown in their lot with the Gardaí also. I reckon the trades unions that remained within the talks are walking the plank as regards their members or should I say recent members?
* Those currently on a working week of less than 35 hours will in future work a minimum of 37 hours - [No big deal here, but it wont happen]
* Those working between 35 and under 39 hours will have to put in at least 39 hours, with additional hours helping to cut public sector numbers[Rank and File Public Servants will spit on this and it has no chance]
* Reduced overtime rates, down to time and half for those on less than €35,000; time and a quarter for those earning more than €35,000[Much overtime has been cut already and all this will do is increase those working for time in lieu]
* Public servants currently on a 39 hour week will provide an unpaid hour’s overtime [Just when Public Servants dont want to concede an inch after all the concessions already made]
* So-called twilight payments - for work between 6pm and 8pm - will be abolished [No big deal, but important to those working long days, a sour taste though and just another nail in the public service workers coffin]
* A reduced Sunday rate of pay, down from double-time to time-and-three-quarters.[Another reduction on top of those already mentioned, no chance of being accepted]
* A three-year freeze on annual pay rises for those earning more than €65,000 [Some light here, I'd love to be earning over €65,000]
* Public sector workers with salaries between €35,000 and €65,000 will get two 15-monthly rather than annual pay rises over the period of the agreement.[Another beating by those who are beating public servants already]
* Those on less than €35,000 will have a three-month postponement on their first due pay rise, before returning to annual increments as normal[Just another joke]
* Those at the top of their pay scales will have to give up six days annual leave over the next three years or offer an equivalent cash deduction from their salary[over their dead bodies]
* High-earners will have their salaries and allowances cut 5.5 per cent for those between €65,000 and €80,000; with 8 per cent off earnings between €80,000 and €150,000; 9 per cent off pay between €150,000 and €185,000; and 10 per cent shaved off any earnings above €185,000[Irrelelevant to the rank and file proles]
* The cuts would mean someone on €100,000 salary and allowances would be down €6,000 to €94,000; someone on €160,000 would have their earnings cut to €149,100; while a top public servant on €200,000 would see their pay cut to €185,350 [The rank and file wont even read this]
* Supervision and substitution payments for teaching staff to be ended.[Dont bet on it]
* Other cutbacks include changes to flexitime, work sharing arrangements, redeployment provisions, new performance management arrangements and pay-grade restructuring [Discussions wont even reach this far]
I listened to RTE Radio News at 4.00pm today. The unions couldnt say what they negotiated; the government spokespeople couldn't help either. But press statements are being prepared.
If I were a union official I would be worried about the mass resignations to membership if any of the above proceeds beyond next week.
If I were a politician I would be worried that any loyalty from rank and file civil servants would remain.
The Gardaí have already cast contempt for the above. The Irish Nurses Organisation have thrown in their lot with the Gardaí also. I reckon the trades unions that remained within the talks are walking the plank as regards their members or should I say recent members?
.