Is it time for wage increases?


Note that the TDs are getting some of their former pay cut reversed, as part of the LRA.

Nothing special, nothing extra.

The same that any other PS on over 65k would get.
 

All PS are getting some of their paycuts restored.
 
Main elements of Lansdowne Road agreement:

  • Most public service staff to receive €2,000 in increased earnings in three phases between January 2016 and September 2017. This to come about through a combination of flat-rate adjustments to the public service pension levy and a partial reversal of pay cuts introduced in 2010;
  • The €1,000 pay hike scheduled for 2017 will only apply to those earning less than €65,000;
  • Public servants earning above €100,000 a year will have cuts imposed under the 2013 Haddington Road agreement restored over three phases, beginning in 2017;
  • Most retired public service staff will receive about €1,680 more in their pensions over the next three years as part of a parallel pension restoration initiative.
Under various cuts and emergency measures put in place over recent years, the gross public service pay bill fell from €17.2 billion in 2008 to €14.2 billion in 2013. This was achieved by means of financial emergency legislation and the introduction of a pension levy. The numbers employed in the public service were also reduced by 32,000.
 
PRD cut by 1,000 for most staff in 2016 and 2017
Gross pay up by 1,000 for many staff in 2017

For those people over 65k, incl. TDs, who took an extra paycut in the HRA, that paycut is being restored over phases.
 
It's a great coincidence that we are discussing this topic when the unions are surrounding the trough!
 
Firefly said:
It's a great coincidence that we are discussing this topic when the unions are surrounding the trough!
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Unions are doing what they are supposed to do. Look for better terms for their members in a growing economy. Otherwise what is the point of growing an economy? Who should benefit from a growing economy?
 
Wages are on the rise folks, not just here but across the EU and US, be sure you get your fair share. Public Sector workers are heavily unionized, private sector workers in unions will fare better. Non-unionized workers will fall behind.
 
TheBigShort said:
Wages are on the rise folks, not just here but across the EU and US, be sure you get your fair share. Public Sector workers are heavily unionized, private sector workers in unions will fare better. Non-unionized workers will fall behind.
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Most of the top paying jobs are in non-unionised houses, most of the IT industry here in non-unionised...
 
Leo said:
Most of the top paying jobs are in non-unionised houses, most of the IT industry here in non-unionised...
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Not doubting it. And they are not the people im talking about. Im talking about low-paid, middle income earners. Wage pressure is beginning to manifest itself for these workers.
 
TheBigShort said:
Not doubting it. And they are not the people im talking about. Im talking about low-paid, middle income earners. Wage pressure is beginning to manifest itself for these workers.
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How can someone be low paid and middle income at the same time?
 
TheBigShort said:
Unions are doing what they are supposed to do. Look for better terms for their members in a growing economy. Otherwise what is the point of growing an economy? Who should benefit from a growing economy?
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Do you think wages for public servants should increase when we as a nation are borrowing to consume?
 
Firefly said:
Do you think wages for public servants should increase when we as a nation are borrowing to consume?
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You are honed in on a narrow perspective. Looking over your shoulder at your neighbour wondering how much it is costing you.
The topic is about a global trend to increase the return on labour (admittedly, the title does not lend itself to that view).
But to answer your question, yes. I also think private sector workers need to see increases in their incomes, predominantly from the bottom up. For instance, a 25% increase in the minimum wage would spark demands for higher wages up the food chain. This will set about generating real domestic demand, increase savings, reduce debt etc.
Of course it cannot occur in a vacuum, international considerations need to be factored. But even a fleeting knowledge of national and global affairs would surely pick up the ascent of unlikely political outcomes. The cause of which is mistakenly construed by some commentators from the rise of extremism, racism, etc.
It is not, it is simple, as it always is - 'its the economy, stupid' (not you personally). When wages cannot pay the bills, rent, childcare etc, then there is a big problem. Add to that the extreme levels of wealth, overvalued labour at top-end earnings, that is prevalent in this economic model and tensions will start to rise. Scapegoats will be made of Gardai who cannot afford to live in Dublin, teachers who have seen their savings depleted, LUAS drivers whose employers tried to renege on previous agreements, etc, etc.
 
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