Madam, – The 2002 benchmarking report referred to a “firm expectation” that “real outputs will be delivered” in respect of the “overriding need for modernisation and change” in public services. The body recommended “the establishment of an appropriate validation process to ensure that agreements on issues such as adaptability, change, flexibility and modernisation are implemented.” In return public servants were to receive pay increases. We all know what happened after that.
As of 2010, we are told the public service will implement “transformation commitments” and thereby “contribute to economic renewal”. The “transformation” will be “verified”. In return, without evidence of delivery, public servants are guaranteed job security, current pay rates and pensions.
With the same mechanism, management and staff in place, 2010 benchmarking is a repeat of 2002 and we should therefore expect the same results; failure to deliver the gains but guaranteed incursion of costs. – Yours, etc,
Madam, – Since 1926 the catch cry of trade union leaders has been “Not a penny off the pay, not a minute on the day”. After what Kieran Mulvey claimed were thousands of hours of negotiations, Irish public sector trade union leaders emerged with a proposal to copper-fasten pay cuts of up to 15 per cent until 2014, increase the length of the working week and engage in new work practices.
Has someone forgotten something? – Yours, etc,