Sir, – As a self-employed person, I think the new Croke Park proposals are a disgrace.
Public sector workers have shared in the same pain we have all suffered. Despite what is claimed by some fellow private sector workers, they have suffered as much as we have. They have seen their pay reduced at least twice; they have more work to do given the recruitment embargo; and (unlike us) they have little hope of seeing their salaries rise as our economy slowly recovers. Yet again they are being asked to do more work for less pay.
If we really are all in this together, then why not take a little from everyone, rather than a lot from a few? If money needs to be saved, then we should all pay our part, not just an isolated few who have already given so much. – Yours, etc,
Sir, – I write regarding the impact of the new deal on retired public servants.
First, as pensioners are no longer part of the workforce they have no prospects of recouping any loss in pay by promotion, increments, etc, so the effect on them is likely to be permanent. Surely such a consideration needs to be taken into account?
Second, Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform Brendan Howlin has stated that if this new deal is accepted, then public servants will take no further hits for the duration of the deal. But was that not also said about Croke Park I? Now a more draconian deal is being forced into place before the expiry of that original “agreement”! Fool me once, etc . . .
Third, no doubt the Government and many in the private sector will make the point “Times have changed and public service conditions must do so too”. Fair enough, but have times not also changed for the bondholders? Unlike public servants who dutifully paid into their pension schemes in the belief that the employers’ side would keep their part of the bargain, the bond holders took a punt which failed. Wouldn’t fairness dictate that they too should at least take comparable haircuts?
Fourth, if pay cuts are going to be implemented, then surely the thresholds for the application of those cuts should be the same for pensioners as for all other public service workers?
Finally, perhaps a pensioners’ union is needed to look after the interests of all pensioners, including public service pensioners. – Yours, etc,
A chara, – May I add to the point raised by Pat Quinn (February 26th) as to the injustice of Croke Park II.