So who noticed the strikes yesterday?

[Dextraneous]

The sad bit is that for every one dubious situation, there are hundreds of good ones. But where do you want to focus on? Of course, the tiny number of poor examples from which you want to extrapolate that all situations are bad.

It's as bonkers as saying that because collisioni is allegedly from Birmingham, so it follows that all brummies are morons

 

[cajar]

It's not just sound bites or stereotypes mate, they all seem to work slower and focus on anything else except doing their jobs. Like traffic wardens looking in shop windows, to housing officers checking their holiday entitlement when you're waiting on keys etc.

The solution would be to outsource the MANAGEMENT of council services to private sector managers and keep the employees public sector. Give the managers responsisbility for cost savings year on year, including reducing the number of staff. Then you'd see a tighter ship being run.

 

[Dextraneous]

It's not just sound bites or stereotypes mate, they all seem to work slower and focus on anything else except doing their jobs. Like traffic wardens looking in shop windows, to housing officers checking their holiday entitlement when you're waiting on keys etc.

"All" would include a lot of people I know work a darn sight harder than you're aware of.

The solution would be to outsource the MANAGEMENT of council services to private sector managers and keep the employees public sector. Give the managers responsisbility for cost savings year on year, including reducing the number of staff. Then you'd see a tighter ship being run.

Capita is presumably an example of this. One of the most inefficient bungling private setups in existence. Or indeed let's have a look at another private setup designed to run a public service - hmm, railways springs to mind. Or what about school PPI's - notoriously poor quality.

 

[Bosswhite]

regarding the title of this post, did anyone notice that Top Surrey Conservative Councillors awarded themselves a 60% pay increase yesterday,

They argued they were entitled to this increase as they have not had a pay review for the past four years, and had to suffer an increased work load.

Isn`t that the same arguement put forward by the Council workers who have had their demands denied ?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-surrey-28268065

 

[collisioni]

far too many of both

 

[Dextraneous]

far too many of both

So what is your ideal model?

 

[big-all]

public service workers for years have had very poor pay in general but a decent pension

That hasn't been the case for years, except in some parts of the south-east, most of their pay is above average, and its not just the size of the pension they get, but the lower number of years they have to contribute towards it.

.

part off the reason for that is the jobs at the lower end being privatized with wages being forced down further lowering the average "private sector" wage rate and increasing the public sector average

 

[collisioni]

First you have to accept that there is a fundamental problem. Denial, short termism, blaming Europe and the world doesn't help. To the enlightened the problem is of our own making. I think that members who have read my postings will understand what I believe is required. This country needs a new political force, one that has not been corrupted by career politicians and brown nosers. The gov I propose would be made of individuals who are recognised experts . Candidates who stand for each cabinet post must convince the public that they are worthy. At the 'general election' the electorate tick boxes next to who they want for each relevant position. They have 4years to do the business. The figure head of this gov does not call the shots . However, he must have mediation skills be a face that fits and presents things well, Bruce Forsythe , Parkie, some thesp [Reagen did it] . This is a truly democratic gov , operated by people who have proven track records and are patriots. To ALL smarties, before you jump on me. My idea is rough as in rough. However, our political system has for decades fuelled our demise and the electorate deserve better. Something has got to change.

 

[Dextraneous]

First you have to accept that there is a fundamental problem.....To ALL smarties, before you jump on me. My idea is rough as in rough. However, our political system has for decades fuelled our demise and the electorate deserve better. Something has got to change.

I take it you've read The Clitheroe Prime Minister, 'cos you sound very much like the main character? And that's not a criticism.

My personal preference would be true socialism as outlined in The Ragged Trouser'd Philanthropist. Read it before you knock it!!

 

[Doug99]

Can you confirm that these crews were actually council employees? Most work nowadays tends to be subcontracted out to private companies. If this happened in the case you cite (and I suspect it is), then this is sweet f.a. to do with public employees and everything to do with a private company taking the pi$$ with public money

But who writes up the work spec, agrees the price and signs off the finished work as completed and acceptable?........the council!!!

 

[Dextraneous]

Can you confirm that these crews were actually council employees? Most work nowadays tends to be subcontracted out to private companies. If this happened in the case you cite (and I suspect it is), then this is sweet f.a. to do with public employees and everything to do with a private company taking the pi$$ with public money

But who writes up the work spec, agrees the price and signs off the finished work as completed and acceptable?........the council!!!

Indeed. Perhaps the number of employees involved is insufficient to do this properly

 

[cajar]

Can you confirm that these crews were actually council employees? Most work nowadays tends to be subcontracted out to private companies. If this happened in the case you cite (and I suspect it is), then this is sweet f.a. to do with public employees and everything to do with a private company taking the pi$$ with public money

But who writes up the work spec, agrees the price and signs off the finished work as completed and acceptable?........the council!!!

Indeed. Perhaps the number of employees involved is insufficient to do this properly

Suspect raising the calibre rather than the number of employees would be more effective!

 

[collisioni]

I'm sure I'm flattered as I've never heard of them or its. Great minds think alike.

First you have to accept that there is a fundamental problem.....To ALL smarties, before you jump on me. My idea is rough as in rough. However, our political system has for decades fuelled our demise and the electorate deserve better. Something has got to change.

I take it you've read The Clitheroe Prime Minister, 'cos you sound very much like the main character? And that's not a criticism.

My personal preference would be true socialism as outlined in The Ragged Trouser'd Philanthropist. Read it before you knock it!!

 

[collisioni]

Too many people living here for too few jobs and a birth rate that in certain sectors just keeps increasing.

Can you confirm that these crews were actually council employees? Most work nowadays tends to be subcontracted out to private companies. If this happened in the case you cite (and I suspect it is), then this is sweet f.a. to do with public employees and everything to do with a private company taking the pi$$ with public money

But who writes up the work spec, agrees the price and signs off the finished work as completed and acceptable?........the council!!!

Indeed. Perhaps the number of employees involved is insufficient to do this properly

Suspect raising the calibre rather than the number of employees would be more effective!

 

[EFLImpudence]

Could you please place your comments below the quotes.