TUC National Demonstration Against Cuts

[OrangeBernard]

Who's going? I've just booked my train tickets. Its my first protest, any advice or tips? Bit worried about kettling.

It's not perceived, moondog. It's been hard earned over many years and certainly you and those of your persuasion are not going to take it away from me. I'm proud of the work I do, and I am well worth every penny of taxpayer's money, as are the vast majority of teachers. Have a go at it yourself sometime.

You need to learn to compromise a little, you'll feel better.

I think we should all have a frenzied celebration of our worth every day!

The response goes on -

"But let us be charitable, and imagine that Hari meant to refer to the deficit. Yet a historical overview of that conjures an even less heartening picture. Fact is that, as a proportion of GDP, the deficit is at its highest level on Treasury records......This is what worries the international markets: the constant borrowing on top of borrowing on top of borrowing. The very fact that last week's Budget contained higher borrowing forecasts was enough to provoke grim warnings from the credit rating agencies."

It also slates Osborne for talking about 'paying off the nations credit card' which is also very misleading.

moondog - what sector do you work in?

NHS

So do you include yourself when you damn public sector workers? I too work in the public sector and I see vast amounts of waste and lots of inadequate individuals but I have also seen many excellent commited staff.

Do I include myself?
In terms of many of the hoops through which I am forced to jump as part of the larger 'system', then yes, very often I question my function and purpose.

We all like to believe the work we do is vital and that the world would stop spinning on its axis were we to lose our jobs.
I doubt it.

Same here! In my area SALT has pretty much disappeared with no real discernible difference.

I can well imagine............

There are people who use the same offices I do who actually don't seem to do anything at all!

If more people realised how much of public servants' time is tied up in matters that have no discernible connection with the work they are ostensibly paid to do, they'd have a fit.

What do you do London?

Education - don't want to give too much away as i could probably be identified if someone really wanted to.

I reckon if they cut out red tape and new "initiatives" I could probably double or triple my caseload.

Yes-and do what needs to be done.
I know, I know.

We have consensus?
Good. I agree .

More teachers teaching, more nurses nursing, more police policing.

Simples.

Well not quite.

Mre teaching teachers and nursing nurses.

Less time spent on pointless administration which is in itself a waste of, say, a clinicians time. It's madness to pay someone a good wack to fill out forms.

That would mean we wouldn't need the amount of people we are currently emplying in many cases as they would be free to get on with the job.

The books of David Copperfield and Inspector Gadget', two policemen are fascinating insights into the world of bureacracy gorn mad and will resonate deeply with any public sector worker.

Particularly when recent figures suggest a third of police are not involved in 'frontline' policing.

If we require cuts to be made as all parties proposed then hopefully some of the non jobs will go. However it might have to be much tougher cuts for that to happen as it will be human nature to protect your mate at the council on £50k who has a non job even if it means cutting 2 people at the bottom instead. it's only when your cuts get to a very tough level that you might start to be rid of the non jobs. It will be interesting to see if this Government really does get rid of many quangos without simply setting up more.

We need more bigger picture, more responsibility and much less box ticking. The Protection of Freedoms Bill which will abolish some vetting is a very good step along the way but is about 1% or less of what needs to be done.

I don't work in the public sector, I'm an end user, so I don't really have any insight into the inner workings of the NHS or the police.

However, whilst it's not universally agreed, it's generally accepted I believe that the NHS satisfaction rate has gone through the roof. As a user, I can certainly say my experience last year was incredible and a far cry from when I had to go through a similar process in the early 90's. I have a breast care 'nurse' who doesn't wear a uniform, she doesn't do the rounds of a ward, she has an office. She is the single most important person I have access to whilst going through this.

Same with the police. Statistics seem to suggest that crimes rates have fallen significantly. Again, it's no doubt open to dispute, but certainly we seem to feel safer.

I worked in the private sector, in a large multinational organisation, tens of thousands of employees, the majority of who didn't actively deal with the product we sold, but were the back up, the structure that let those on the frontline get on with their jobs.

I'm not suggesting that there isn't a case for slimming down or that things are perfect, but I'm not sure it's as simple as saying we need nurses who nurse.

"In my area SALT has pretty much disappeared with no real discernible difference".

Discernable difference to who, londonone? Did you or your family use their services? Where do you go know?

They may well not have disappeared, anyway; merging with social services is very in vogue these days.

Funny how my daughter can't even GET SALT despite being almost completely non verbal.... oh but don't worry it's not IMPORTANT is it?

I do think there is too much documentation. Perhaps the reason for that is the increased litigation? If that could be solved then perhaps it could be eased.

Let's define non-jobs.

Non jobs are those advertised on Wednesday in the Guardian that I always thoroughly enjoy laughing at reading.

Like the ones advertising for a " Men who have sex with men Outreach Worker".

In fact, any, " Outreach Worker ".