Sir, – Dare I mention the word “benchmarking”? Perhaps it is timely that we revisit the concept once again. With the early signs of growth in the economy just beginning to emerge, the public sector groups with the loudest voices and the greatest clout are to the fore in claiming reward. They present themselves as being among the greatest victims of the recent recession.
The Public Service Benchmarking process (2000-2005) was charged with comparing overall public service pay with that of the private sector. As the “boom got boomier”, the rewards for public servants were significant indeed. This was well illustrated by the teachers’ union leader who likened the process to an ATM machine.
It seems only fair and equitable that we might now have a transparent benchmarking process which compares public sector pay, terms, conditions and pensions with that of the private sector but also with that of the very extensive third sector (mainly community and voluntary). In this way all groups may have an equal opportunity to highlight their “victimhood” and share the fruits of the upturn. – Yours, etc,
JA O’GRADY,
Dublin 6W.