Government calls for wage restraint

G

gonk

Guest
From the Irish Times breaking news site:

"The Government has called for wage restraint during a plenary meeting of social partners at Farmleigh House in Dublin today.

In his address to the meeting, Tánaiste Brian Cowen said a "realistic approach" to wage demands is necessary if Ireland wants to maintain its competitiveness and living standards. "

The government has just accepted a 14% pay rise for the Taoiseach, 12% for ministers and 15.5% for Mr Cowen, Tánaiste and Minister for Finance.

For sheer brazen effrontery, can this be beat?
 
Nope, don't think so....but then again isn't it "because they're worth it". ( Wonder if I can try that one next time a fee increase is looked for from clients ?? )
 
I suppose Cowen would argue that the pay rise was realistic in thier case in order to maintain living standards. However, maintaining competitiveness is not a realistic option when it comes to politics, surely?!
 
Welfarite said:
I suppose Cowen would argue that the pay rise was realistic in thier case in order to maintain living standards.
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How would that work then ? Because they had more to start with, they need a bigger payrise to keep them in the manner to which they've become accustomed ?
 
Welfarite said:
I suppose Cowen would argue that the pay rise was realistic in thier case in order to maintain living standards.
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As has been widely reported, Bertie's new salary of €314,000 puts him substantially ahead of:

  • US President @ €286,000
  • UK Prime Minister @ €268,000
  • French President @ €103,000
  • German Chancellor @ €260,000
Where's the justification for that?
 
It is no secret what alloy of copper and zinc your neck needs to be made of in order to get into politics ;)
 
It reminds me of that other great FF statesman, CJH, who told us all to tighten our belts in the '80s, while he was living like a king.
 
These guys have to be taking the proverbial! I can't believe you all voted them back into power.
 
It's an admirable if not unexpected contender for chutzpah of the year award I should think.
 
Given the calibre of our politicians, I am sorry I worked 60 and 70 hour weeks here during the 80's and 90's etc, paid so much tax, and wasted my bloody life. If only I had emigrated all those years ago.
 
rabbit said:
Given the calibre of our politicians, I am sorry I worked 60 and 70 hour weeks here during the 80's and 90's etc, paid so much tax, and wasted my bloody life. If only I had emigrated all those years ago.
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Or become a politician...70 hour weeks and you'd surely be in Berties shoes now !!

Although 2 (paraphrased) quotes come to mind....

"A country gets the government it deserves"
and
"Anyone who wishes to be a politician should by definition be prohibited from ever becoming one"

At least one of those phrases (if not both) is courtesy of Mark Twain.
That Twain fella must've had some Irish in him :)
 
efm said:
These guys have to be taking the proverbial! I can't believe you all voted them back into power.
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Can I take it then that you actually believe if the opposition were in power, they would either reject their own pay rise or not issue a request for restraint in wage demands.
 
gonk said:
As has been widely reported, Bertie's new salary of €314,000 puts him substantially ahead of:
  • US President @ €286,000
  • UK Prime Minister @ €268,000
  • French President @ €103,000
  • German Chancellor @ €260,000
Where's the justification for that?
Click to expand...

Bertie's justification was partly that the top three of the above each had homes provided by the state, which if added to their salary would come to more than his. So the argument should be to provide him a home ( oh, of course someone already paid substantially for one of those didn't they ) and reduce his salary. Anyone think of a residence suitable for our Taoiseach ? Text "Villa de Bert" and your answer to 38000 before the next payrise.
 
Well I for one am going to listen to Bertie, Brian and the rest of the boys because they obviously know what they are talking about. On this basis and for the good of the country, I have instructed my employer that I now want my managerial financial services job benchmarked to my equivalent in the civil service. (I would love to tell you all how the benchmarking process will work but its a secret).
 
Does anyone know what the current average salary is? I'm wondering how it compares to the €38000 extra in Bertie's pay packet.
 
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