I was amused to hear Vincent Cabrera making a big issue about the Government's ability to pay. Of course, if you can't pay, there's no issue, but ability to pay should never be a criterion for how much you should get. The only criterion should be a fair day's pay for a fair day's work. In that case, the PSA workers got a far better offer than they deserved. If you disagree, can you make the case that the productivity of public servants has increased by five per cent? I think not. And the same applies to other public sector workers. Just once I would love to hear a union leader beseech their workers to give value for money.
To the Government, I fully support your offer of no more that five per cent to the other unions. Don't worry about political price. There'll be none. Those threatening you didn't vote for you anyway and those who voted for you support your stance. We are the silent majority. I am a public servant and, sure, I would love to get much more than five per cent but I quite understand what you are trying to do. In the long run, the country would be much better off. Of course, any time workers are willing to give more than five per cent, I would be more than happy to support an increase in your offer.
A Charles
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