Tuesday, April 21, 2009

A Rock and a Hard Place

................................
Posted by at

2 comments:

IXI LIXI said...

Mr. Editor,

What is at stake is whether we continue with much of the same or whether we decide to change the course of this government. There comes a time in a country when we must stop playing as if everything is fine with our government, for this is not the case. This government has shown that its interest lies much more with the powerful and the well-to-do than those who provide basic and valuable services to our state - civil servants, teachers, police. The government has no one to blame but itself in putting itself in this position. Yet they were weak and cowardly and agreed to a 14.5% increase in the first place. They went on to throw away millions more on a wasteful bail out for a party supporter by buying a mall, inquiries, a lofty 408K salary for another tourism minister, increased ambassadorial appointments - no sense of cutback at all. Must the country to bear the burden of continued ineptitude? All governments are having a hard time. This government The world economic fallout occurred around Aug/Sept 2008 and the government has yet to even have a press conference on the matter. No one knows the state of the economy. How are we to understand and provide advice to the government when they are the ones with all the economists and information. Are we to wait for the budget on Friday and hear of grandiose investments and 7% growth? There is no right time to strike. I support the cause and stand in solidarity. I hope that the civil servants broaden their calls not just for an increase but to think of the other workers and demand other safeguards (e.g. an employment programme, labour code, government efficiencies, freeze on wasteful purchases and travel, etc).

April 22, 2009 at 10:33 PM
Thommo/LuciaBro256@hotmail.com said...

I have no choice but to endorse some of these sentiments.
I have said before that the country is in the unfortunate position of having what is analogous to the "second eleven", or the "B-Team" governing us at a time when we badly need inspiring, well informed, effective, and capable leadership.

I wonder what the government's negotiating machinery was thinking when they made such a lavish, unrealistic offer to the teachers. At the time they made the offer the country was not in the position to offer 10% much less 14%.
People we are in deep trouble with this government and the scary thing is I am not even sure that the last government would have done any better.
We saw two extremes of negotiation one party offered 0%, 0%, 1% - a ridiculously low and pathetic offer and the union, who were in bed with the Labour government accepted it without a hoot.

The teachers union president knows very well that the government may not be in a position to pay but I am not sure that I would charge them with being uncaring, and selfish. There is a price to be paid for moronic leadership.
I do feel for the students.

April 23, 2009 at 4:39 PM

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)