Cuts necessary say public sector couple
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AS talk of further strike action continues to circulate, one Fingal couple employed in the public sector have said the cuts in pay were necessary. Between salary reductions and levies, public servants have seen their take-home pay dramatically reduced from anywhere between 15% and 20% and the husband and wife who spoke to the Fingal Independent - a garda and medical worker - had already started to feel the pinch. ' We're down a good few bob, but I feel sorry for the people who lost their jobs,' the garda said. 'We have to take the hit. 'Being a member of the force, I'm happy to take that hit. I feel sorry for the people who lost their jobs.
' We are guaranteed our jobs and when times are good again, we can make hay when the sun shines, as they say, and hopefully get our pay restored.' The Garda Representative Association have announced they are to ballot members over industrial action, while other talks are continuing amongst other unions. But the Fingal resident was sceptical over what effect work stoppages would have.
'I wouldn't be in favour of taking strike action,' the garda added. 'I don't think it'll achieve anything and I definitely don't think we'll get any public sympathy.
'In the station, it's hard to gauge what other members think. They haven't seen it hit their wages yet. But people are working all of their lives and are being laid off. What can you do? It's short-term pain for long-term gain.'
Along with teachers, front-line medical staff are arguably faced with the toughest decisions, with the possibility of leaving patients behind again to join pickets again on the horizon.
' The money does make a difference, but I can understand, once we get rebated for the cutbacks' the medical worker added.
'As long as when the economy does recover, our wages go back to normal, I can accept the cuts.'
- Robin KIELY
