I'm not quite a frothing berserker but I am getting rather cross with our government messing with the good stuff.

I'd also like to point out that those public sector workers who were on strike today WERE NOT BEING PAID. They were not having a day Christmas shopping at the 'taxpayer's expense', they were making a stand at their own expense.

I didn't strike today but that's because I have ishoos with our particular union so I'm not in it, not because I didn't believe in what was being said. I made a brew for the picket line to show my solidarity.

Can I just make the point that Pickles is a twat of the highest order as well. Gove is a fucking menace.

Thing is SWC, I think you'll find all of us arguing our views all over mn at the moment, do your last post is a bit misguided. We are just here for a rest from the arguments, a pit stop if you like, rather a froth stop.

oh dear

this will be the death of mumsnet

it's not the same as it was

it's changed

etc

< looks brightly the other way >

FS, I bought a tram ticket and a coffee/muffin from Starfucks

I suppose I did have my Xmas shopping day after all

I think swc is Jeremy Clarkson

by the way, that is a proper insult, don't misconstrue that one

where at all possible mums should have been supporting the strike and it's disruption by staying home with their kids and not going to work. it would support and reinforce what the teachers were doing and simultaneously make a point about how much extra responsibility is on women's hands and how untenable their situations are sometimes.

What could we do to get Gove here for a webchat. I'd pay double my pension contribution to get the chance to chat with the lovely man.

goes back to finish reading all 23 pages

TBH, my dad was self-emplyed, no child care in the holidays. My sister and I used to go to work with him every day for weeks sometimes. He has worked all over the place so some of those were site visits and required hard hats etc. It was still fine, we just spend several boring hours in whatever staff space was available.

Back to the thread - I met Lansley once and told him I was very disappointed in him. It was extremely satisfying at the time, but feels a bit damn hollow now!

Well, thank you for your words of wisdom swc, if you could leave us to froth in peace then that would be marvellous. Thanks.

swc I think you have misread the premise of this thread

your arguments are not appropriate here

there are other more appropriate ones for you

this isn't even a "striking" thread, tbh

have you any comment on the damage being done to this country by some of the recent changes to the welfare state, employment rights and lack of useful job prospects for our young folk ?

what you're saying is utter tosh and utterly unwelcome smallwhitecat.

PUBLIC SECTOR WORKERS PAY TAX!

Just a quick reminder to any cretins having problems with the concept.

The thing is we're going so far into the blaming culture now that Public Sector Workers = Benefit Scroungers.

Christ on a bike, educate yourself For God's sake.

SWC I dont have a pension.

So you are actually wrong.

actually.

Just heard Clarkeson try and get a pathetic dig in re injured soldiers v strikers.

So in ten years time when the Mirror, The Daily Mail and most of Netmums has forgotten that those scounging disabled were once 'our Heros' and there are no fecking services for them because this government have destroyed them and privatized them..... what then?

These people are not just striking for pensions they are also striking to try and save what is left of our welfare state.

Although, I did go and buy pj's for the family after I'd done my protest.

SWC Why are you here?

The thread title and OP makes it perfectly clear what this thread is about. Easy enough not to click and get yourself in a state.

I'd like to point out, AGAIN, that I'm a private sector worker paying into a private pension (which will be worthless I'm sure by the time I "retire")

IT IS NOT A RACE TO THE BOTTOM

Comparing and complaining is all very well (now) when things are bad, I note that the complaints weren't heading in the same direction while we were in a boom were they?

Hypocritical and frankly, unwelcome here.

As I said before - you like everything happening? Start your own thread proclaiming such - I'm sure you'll have a lovely long thread before too long - as to this one? Leave us alone. We're not hurting you.

What actually suprised me today was our union rep being suprised by the lack of support shown by the people that he was trying to talk to. Having been frothing about it here has given me a much wider view of how people are reacting.

The lotion is on the hands beneath the snug little rubber gloves

The other person interviewed this morning in her chi chi cafe was asked how she was coping. Her answer? My mother has the children.

What a nightmare! She had to ....gasp...phone..her....mum....

And whilst I am here... how can a 'damp squib' cause several squillions worth of damage to the country and ruin the lives of billions? Which one is it Dave?

my tolerance for these types is low. they've got a zillion other threads to pick from.