The question was posed to Blair Horan on Matt Cooper and, apologies if my numbers aren't exactly right, but he said starting at 24K and going on to 37.5K after 18 years. There was no mention, or question, as to whether there were any extra payments or allowances.This makes me smile.
What exactly is "very low paid" and by what criteria? Can anyone confirm exactly what they earn? What's the bets it will not fall under "very low paid" anyway - whatever that is.
It might fall under "I want more" all right but that's a different story.
Everyone has a gripe and every gripe may appear legitimate until it is quantified.
Can you clarify what are the pre and post 95 agreements.
I would look at this quite differently..the clerical officers can do overtime,and they can get annual increments.
Anyone who stays in the same position for 18 years is the type of person who has no ambition ..
RonanC, you say Clerical officers can do overtime, but they must pay income levy, pension levy and tax on this overtime. ".
Well so what, we all do that!
You also say; "Promotions are not earned on merit, something we have been asking for a long time. Some people are happy to stay doing what they do, its the exact same in the private sector. Some people do not want to take on the responsibility of management, financially its sometimes not worth it at all.".
Exactly!! And guess what ,if they don't want to take the responsibility, then they stay on the same pay.
Promotions are as far as I have seen,given on seniority, but you will probably find the unions wouldn't have it any other way!
This is a good point. Leaving aside the Public V Private tit fot tat that has risen his ungly head again (a debate that ahs only started since the recession bit), I have wondered over the past few days as to how much 'hardhip' the delay in issuing passports is causing really? queues autsied the office remind me of the panic queues to withdraw savngs from Northern rock a few years ago. No reporter has asked the question; 'why did you noy apply in reasonable time for your passport? The Passport site says as follows; ' Apply early! It is recommended, if you live in Ireland, to use the Passport Express service which is available at most post offices. If you are not in a hurry for your passport you can apply by regular post but you should allow at least 4-6 weeks for return of your passport by this method. If you live abroad apply to your nearest Irish Mission. In general allow at least 4-6 weeks for the issue of your passport in such cases.' Presumably this measn in ordinary times. I would love to have every person queieng asked when exactly they applied and what method they used.If it requires lots of overtime to process passports, why not increase the time needed /required to apply and get one?
Too simple?
I agree with Purple and Thedaras - the low pay argument is fundamentally flawed - the reality is that they are paid above market rates for the work they do. I'm confident that a private sector provider could process applications more efficiently and cost effectively than current staff.
We need to alter the power balance in this country by legislating to introduce barriers to prevent unions/employees holding the country to hostage. I don't buy the argument that unions are essential to protect employees - we now have a raft of national (and EU) legislation in place which underpins employee rights. Union actions/interventions typically damage competitiveness which in turn destroys jobs.
So I guess they won't be getting any of those this year then ...agreed annual increments that are part of a contract of employment that are dependant on performance.
the low pay argument is fundamentally flawed
Why shouldn't they? I'd be clapping too if I was there.Passport Office Staff get Standing Ovation at CPSU conference
http://www.rte.ie/news/2010/0326/pay.html
The irony is that on some of the pay deals the lower paid received an extra 1 or 2%, yet when pay had to be cut their cut was less than middle to high earners. This means lower grades have done better in percentage terms in the pay deals than higher earners.
I think rather than all this 5% cut on first 30k, 10% on next 20K etc, they should have just cut all grades by the same percentage cut and probably extend it to public sector pensioners.
Certainly would have been easier to implement and in my opinion fairer.