Madam, – No one will argue the right of our public servants to be outraged at the cutbacks to pay experienced over the past few months. Likewise no one can argue the right of the private sector to be outraged at the mass unemployment decimating the sector.
All workers have the undeniable right to express this outrage through public marches and demonstrations. However, as a nurse, I will argue that the public sector – the ones being left with jobs, have no right to dominate Irish society by taking industrial action and withdrawing their labour. Given our present economic crisis, now is not the time to fight for the nonsensical cause of a pay-cut reversal that we know can’t be realised.
At present, all industrial action taken to support this cause is morally wrong because it is going to hit everyone in society.
However, for the frontline services to get involved, knowing how essential our services are, is morally indefensible. Any withdrawal of frontline services may have a catastrophic effect on those who need us – namely the sick and the elderly. Where is the justification for withdrawal of these services when there’s already a large section of the public service that can act in this manner with far less serious consequences? – Yours, etc,
Madam, – So, individual gardaí are to stop using their “personal” GPS systems, their “personal” mobile phones and their “personal” laptops in the course of the professional duties. That they should be using them in the first place suggests that they are seriously under-resourced. Has the Government of this State no shame when the the security apparatus of the State can suggest that as a “work-to-rule” it will stop using “personal” equipment in the course of duty and that this might affect delivery of service? Apart from the fact that this equipment might be less secure than professional equipment, is there not something bizarre in all of this?
For years the State school system has been under-resourced, necessitating raffles, bring-and-buy sales and so-called “voluntary” contributions to provide necessities, usually after February, when the State (under)-funding runs out. Hospitals have to do the same with regard to essential equipment. A banana republic? Possibly. Over to Fyffes, I say! – Yours, etc,
Madam, – On Monday, while using the Revenue’s website to make my annual return of income, as required by law, I encountered a technical problem. I duly called the 1890 helpline to be told by a helpful recorded voice that “the service is unavailable due to industrial action”.
I pose the question, when is “industrial action” not a strike? – Yours, etc,