Schools back...or not!

[scotgal]

Yesterday the schools (Scotland) went back after the summer break - today most of the schools were shut due to industrial action by members of UNISON union after being offered a derisory 2.5% pay increase! Also out were our binmen so my recycling didn't get collected - no hardship though as we have recycling facilities in our village. I think the binmen are absolutly right in their decision to strike considering how the cost of living has gone up - the council says there's simply no more money in the coffers - what about the amply remunerated fat cat suits taking a pay cut as a measure of goodwill or better still a good cull would be in order - in our council there's definitely too "many chiefs and not enough Indians".

[Lakitu]

THAT's why my bin hasn't been emptied! Thank you for putting me out of my wondering misery. It would seem all my neighbours knew this as mine was the only bin out LOL. You can imagine this puzzled me, I had to double check the calander and confirm to myself it is Wednesday.....

[scotgal]

Hi Lakitu, yes that's shy your bin wasn't emptied, I did have a little titter to myself when 2 of my neighbours put out their bins today aling with quite a few others because one's a teacher (?) and the other one works for Aberdeenshire Council(?) DOH!

[Lakitu]

LOL!! Mine is still out there in the vague hope they were just a little late....

I recycle too so there's only 1 black bag in it, so not a big deal to wait until next week.

Maybe I should start reading the EE...

[Lakitu]

Y'know, I wondered why the traffic was so light driving home tonight too! The strikes will be the reason then...

[scotgal]

Of course the traffic flow if drastically reduced when school's out.

[Lakitu]

Well, with the new mall going up causing utter chaos on Market Street, it's been taking me circa 45 minutes to get home, but today I got straight through! (I've been seconded to Tullos for 3 months)

[scotgal]

That I well believe. Years ago I used to work in Queen'sRoad and some days it took me longer to get to work than one of the reps who lived in Brechin!!!!

[Ethel]

Put wages up and it is a vicious cycle - your rates will go up, you will need a pay increase, your employer will have to increase the cost of his goods, everything goes up, pay goes up, everything goes up again.....

[Drisgirl]

and rge recession bites deepr.

My husband hasnt had a pay rise for 8 yrs because of his type of work -contract work -take what you get or move on.

I wouldnt be supporting any strike action in the current economic climate -its madness -we are all suffering but are all trying to bite the bullet.

[Drisgirl]

'and the recession bites deeper' (oops)

[scotgal]

I agree with you Ethel but when my son worked for the council what scandalised me was the amount of agency workers being employed ( at huge expense) because people, expecially married ones with familes just will not work for that sort of salaries. This is the double edged sword that we have to live with since the advent of north sea oil. On the one hand it's been great for the economy here but our house prices and cost of living makes it very difficult for families with limited incomes.

[amron]

I work for one of the councils in Scotland... been here at my work alone since 2pm. Not able to strike as I am classed as providing emergency service. My kids started back on Monday ( it was my twins first day) and then today they are off ...not looking forward to them restarting tomorrow lol :)

[terambulan]

Our Council seems to be manned by Polish......probably cheaper rates of pay and no industrial action by them....as yet!

Our cost of living is gradually depreciating in line with the Eastern-bloc joining our work-force.