Postal strike

Phil · Post by **Phil** » Tue 09 Oct, 2007 10:44

Has anyone else had a delivery of post today? I thought they were on strike till tomorrow.

My postlady has just been.

I was so shocked to see her that I didn't ask how come!

///M_aniac · Post by **///M_aniac** » Tue 09 Oct, 2007 10:48

No post here. Mairead is expecting a new mobile phone. Goodness knows when that will arrive.

Zed_Steve · Post by **Zed_Steve** » Tue 09 Oct, 2007 11:02

I believe the 48 hour strike is still on, and ends later today. Another strike is planned for the start of next week aswell.

Maybe the post lady was the Chief Execs missus doing the deliveries

///M_aniac · Post by **///M_aniac** » Tue 09 Oct, 2007 11:04

Really need the post service at the moment. Awaiting delivery of menus for the Irish Zedders Xmas dinner.....

Zed_Steve · Post by **Zed_Steve** » Tue 09 Oct, 2007 11:21

Oxford_gruen_II wrote:Really need the post service at the moment. Awaiting delivery of menus for the Irish Zedders Xmas dinner.....

Could they email them to you?

///M_aniac · Post by **///M_aniac** » Tue 09 Oct, 2007 11:28

Hadn't thought about that. That's a good idea. Will phone later and ask them.

Cheers mate

PVR · Post by **PVR** » Tue 09 Oct, 2007 11:30

No post, but I have heard from other people who have had some post.

Sack the lot of them I say - obviously they are braindead as they are striking against reforms needed due to competition. Guess what business are doing now ...

Zed_Steve · Post by **Zed_Steve** » Tue 09 Oct, 2007 11:39

I believe the current offer tabled is 6.9% over 2 years, in return for a cut in pension benefits.

I think the unions know they have Royal mail by the short and curlies, knowing that if their demands are not met business will suffer because of further strikes.

PVR · Post by **PVR** » Tue 09 Oct, 2007 11:55

Isn't the postal service itself in a decline though? I have just removed my franking machine as over the last few years, I use post less and less.

I pay all bills electronically, I send all invoices out as PDF files directly to the customers and I receive most invoices the same way.

Saves on paper, saves on postage, is 100% guaranteed delivered and is immediate. The only paper bills I receive now are council tax once a year and the odd magazine renewal paperwork, but all utilities are now electronic as well.

Is there really a future for the postal service as it is at the moment?

Phil · Post by **Phil** » Tue 09 Oct, 2007 11:56

Steve123 wrote:I believe the current offer tabled is 6.9% over 2 years, in return for a cut in pension benefits.

I think the unions know they have Royal mail by the short and curlies, knowing that if their demands are not met business will suffer because of further strikes.

Thereby putting their jobs at even more risk

Zed_Steve · Post by **Zed_Steve** » Tue 09 Oct, 2007 12:03

Correct. But i bet many there would welcome that so they can look forward to a nice juicey redundancy payout, especially people with long service.

And_101 · Post by **And_101** » Tue 09 Oct, 2007 12:13

Good Luck to the Postal workers.

For years the Post Office has had the lucrative areas of its business cherry-picked and cannibalised by private companies and Government policy. Yet is still expected to carry on and provide a flat-rate Universal letter post service, which cost loads to provide to outlying areas. Add to that mismanagement by overpaid executives.

However its the ordinary postal worker who is expected to "pay" for these poor business decisions and government policy decisions, whilst private postal companies and their shareholders have got rich at their expense. And now they are having their pensions robbed from them - I'm sure no one on this board would like that.

So no wonder they are p1ssed off. So I don't see they have any option but to have all out strikes - they've got little to lose. They're screwed if they do nothing and screwed if they strike - might as well go down fighting

PVR · Post by **PVR** » Tue 09 Oct, 2007 12:18

I don't believe in strikes. You don't like it - resign and take another job. If it was truly so bad, enough people would do likewise and the law of supply and demand would come in - causing higher payments

pingu · Post by **pingu** » Tue 09 Oct, 2007 12:21

It was discussed on The Wright Stuff this morning. The first phone vote was 67% not in favour. Then they told you the AVERAGE postie's wage was £17k (just think how many don't even get that?), and the vote swung to 55% not in favour. I bet some of the original voters regretted their vote.

If I was dumb enough to waste money on a phone vote, I'd have voted the wrong way to start with.

The discussion started by saying "It's back to the 70s - they want 30% over 5 years. They'll bankrupt the company." By the end of the discussion, the comments were all about slave labour wages.

Strange how a few facts can sway an argument.

c_w · Post by **c_w** » Tue 09 Oct, 2007 12:37

pingu wrote:It was discussed on The Wright Stuff this morning. The first phone vote was 67% not in favour. Then they told you the AVERAGE postie's wage was £17k (just think how many don't even get that?),

I think a lot are part time and they draft loads in over busy periods (ie Christmas) which will reduce the average a great deal.

And_101 · Post by **And_101** » Tue 09 Oct, 2007 12:42

PVR wrote:I don't believe in strikes. You don't like it - resign and take another job. If it was truly so bad, enough people would do likewise and the law of supply and demand would come in - causing higher payments

That's easier said than done. Not everyone has the luxury of being able to change jobs so easily. Especially not with families and mortgages to support. And the laws of supply and demand don't work with large companies, only with small companies and specialist jobs. If all the posties resigned, then they'd just get a load of Polish/Hungarian/Eastern Europeans to replace them. Your mail service would get worse, and you'd complain about that too.

Besides why should you resign? If you have worked for years for a company building up your pension, leaving would be foolish. Also I think resigning is defeatist, you should stay and fight to change it. Its everyone's right to go on strike - thankfully.

And_101 · Post by **And_101** » Tue 09 Oct, 2007 12:46

pingu wrote:It was discussed on The Wright Stuff this morning......

Strange how a few facts can sway an argument.

That's the trouble with news nowadays, often selective about facts that they divulge.

I've been involved with several industrial disputes, and the true and undistorted facts rarely get out into the open.

And average figures can be very distorting. Especially if they include a few very high wage earners, bonuses, antisocial hours payments.

The fact that I have always found in my time as a Union Official, is that people very very reluctantly take strike action - it is only the very last resort when all else has failed.

PVR · Post by **PVR** » Tue 09 Oct, 2007 13:25

Strikes never achieve anything except for a backlash later on. Not being an expert on the statistics for this, I only remember the strikes in the mines that Thatcher sorted out. The perception I got from that, was that the sorting of the unions was the best thing that happened to the country and after the unions were crushed - prosperity came along.

Reagan did something similar in the US with air traffic control, again sorted the problem nicely.

Countries where strikes are rife, are generally countries that have economic difficulties.

Coming back to the postal strikes - they will at least assist the company to be forced into making the proposed changes as their actions are now destroying their livelyhood anyway

And_101 · Post by **And_101** » Tue 09 Oct, 2007 13:52

PVR wrote:Strikes never achieve anything except for a backlash later on.

Please look back at history. If it wasn't for strikes years ago, we'd not have health and safety legislation, and employment rights that I suspect all of us on here have enjoyed at sometime or other.

Unfortunately both Thatcher and Reagan encouraged the selfishness of people and the attitude of "I'm alright, so screw everyone else".

I'm sure if you were a miner or an air traffic controller you'd have a different opinion. And it is thanks to Thatcher today that we are so reliant on other countries for Coal (Poland) and Gas (Russia) - which caused so much problems for us last winter.

PVR · Post by **PVR** » Tue 09 Oct, 2007 14:16

You mean the Health and Safety rules that have gone mad lately with non-allowance of window cleaners using ladders or BT not being allowed to climb telegraph poles? Or the ones that prevented the "Blunkett bobbies" from rescuing a drowning child? Not sure if that is progress ...

Don't think Thatcher can be blamed for the UK running out of natural resources and therefore the need to import them.

Dealing with strikers is like dealing with children: You can either use a hard hand, or you can use the soft touch. There will be pro and cons for both approaches but you can bet who will come back sooner for more ...

BimBeema · Post by **BimBeema** » Tue 09 Oct, 2007 14:34

I personally can't stand these people that go on strike, whether Postal workers, Train/tube drivers, etc. I think they're work even though is an integral part of our society isn't rocket science and there are far more important/skilled people than them with poorer working conditions and wages who actually deserve more and yet put up with it and don't resort to strikes, like our nurses.

Nurses get paid peanuts and can't afford to buy a single bed, work long hours dealing with sick people compared to tube/train drivers who get paid around or above 30K plus black cab to and from work for first and last shifts, plus free london travel and other benefits and work a 30 hr week. Nurses help save lives but a train driver drives in a straight line, stops at red & goes at green, u get my drift and a postal worker delivers the post, hardly rocket science! Imagin what would happen if all of our nurses walked out for 4 or 5 days!

Now I respect and admire nurses & doctors, but sorry no I can't do the same for postal workers or tube/train drivers. Apologies if any members here are train/tube drivers or postal workers, but this is my personal opinion!

trickyb · Post by **trickyb** » Tue 09 Oct, 2007 14:46

I always find it difficult to jump on a side of the fence when it comes to strikes.

I understand their motives, and their concerns over pay etc, but as someone who is not allowed to strike by law, i always think, in the end, the unions never win.

My partner is on the Official side of this type of discussion. She sees that Big Business - or even mediun sized business, will win overall. The companies know that the smaller unions can't afford to pay the strikers for any length of time, that, eventually there'll have to be a negotiation and middle ground found, so why don't they just do that from day one. I often feel that Union Reps like to believe they have more power than they actually do. Maggie put a stop to that, called their bluff, and look what happened.

It's difficult to accept a less-that-cost-of-living pay increase, but i've had just that for 4 years - even after the Government agreed to give us an average private sector increase in exchange (as good as) for the right to strike. And now they only want to give us 2%. That's real life.

But, on this occasion, i have to agree with the Royal Mail. There's no way they can compete with the modern communication methods. Fewer are using snail mail, not only due to the inconsitancy of delivery, and it either needs retaking public by the Governement or should be expecting an ever falling profit.

If i was one of their employees, i'd be looking elsewhere, or using this strike time to find alternative employment.

Sorry.

321bhp · Post by **321bhp** » Tue 09 Oct, 2007 15:07

PERSONALLY,I HAVE 12 EBAY ITEMS STILL TO COME THAT ARE DELAYED BY THE STRIKE,if i was a company that needed goods collected every day,i would be looking at other options other than the post-office,this strike must be giving huge headaches to some people ,personally i think they should strike for what they believe in,but it may cost them jobs in the long run

i was wondering that if you have say a fixed penaly notice or a speed camera letter coming,dosent it have to be deliverd within 14 days,the strike may well help some people

PVR · Post by **PVR** » Tue 09 Oct, 2007 15:25

That is correct. A NIP has to be served within 14 days (excluding the date of offence). Postage is not the same as delivery, as long as people know about this and don't just roll over and except the penalty - they are ok.

I really like your wheels by the way ...

And_101 · Post by **And_101** » Tue 09 Oct, 2007 17:27

PVR wrote:You mean the Health and Safety rules that have gone mad lately with non-allowance of window cleaners using ladders or BT not being allowed to climb telegraph poles? Or the ones that prevented the "Blunkett bobbies" from rescuing a drowning child? Not sure if that is progress ...

Don't think Thatcher can be blamed for the UK running out of natural resources and therefore the need to import them.

No I meant the basic Health and Safety rules that mean you can't be forced to work a 100 hour week, that stopped Children being used to sweep chimneys etc.

And yes we can blame Thatcher for decimating British manufacturing and for our reliance on foreign coal. The mines still had coal in them, she closed them, they became flooded and now its difficult to get at this coal.

If we taxed higher earners especially those that earn over £200k for doing a few hours a month, then we could afford to support the postal service and probably pay nurses more etc...

Up the Workers! Up the Revolution!

maxman · Post by **maxman** » Tue 09 Oct, 2007 19:19

Anybody who makes derogatory remarks about the postal workers and the union without knowing all the facts is out of order.People should not be fooled by the headlines in the comic newspapers.
Poor management leads to a large number of industrial disputes ,inexperience and lack of respect for fellow employees generates mistrust leading to unwillingness to cooperate,it is happening in a factory I visit on a weekly basis .

italex · Post by **italex** » Tue 09 Oct, 2007 19:27

Most British workers are hard working and concientious (sp).

Striking is not a jolly and is normally a last resort. Remember they all lose pay because of it.

Also apathy can be as harmful as militancy!

Alex

And_101 · Post by **And_101** » Tue 09 Oct, 2007 19:38

maxman wrote:Anybody who makes derogatory remarks about the postal workers and the union without knowing all the facts is out of order.People should not be fooled by the headlines in the comic newspapers.
Poor management leads to a large number of industrial disputes ,inexperience and lack of respect for fellow employees generates mistrust leading to unwillingness to cooperate,it is happening in a factory I visit on a weekly basis .

alexknight wrote:Most British workers are hard working and concientious (sp).

Striking is not a jolly and is normally a last resort. Remember they all lose pay because of it.

Also apathy can be as harmful as militancy!

Alex

Could not agree more with both those comments!

That's my experience too - I was a Union Rep and Shop Steward for 10 years - It's not all about strikes, but sometimes they are the the unavoidable last resort - usually taken my people who care very strongly about the industry they work in.

JontyP · Post by **JontyP** » Wed 10 Oct, 2007 07:27

All of this talk about thanking Thatcher for defeating the miners strike really boils my p$ss! Her government are responsible for the attitude which seems to prevail in this country that we don't need a strong "wealth generating" manufacturing base. She denied all along that she intended to close down the mines. Scargill was laughed at for suggesting it. As soon as the strike was battered down (literally in many instances), what does she do? Closes the mines. Well that was a surprise wasn't it. Whole towns which lived and worked in the mining industry were suddenly broken up. What were they to do? Go out and get another job? Don't make me laugh. I'd like to know where all these mythical jobs appear from. And AND_101 is quite right, the coal is still there (millions of tonnes of it) but it is now far too expensive to get out since all the mines were just shut and left unmaintained rather than decomissioned properly.

Rant over

Jonty

Giles · Post by **Giles** » Wed 10 Oct, 2007 13:16

And_101 wrote:If all the posties resigned, then they'd just get a load of Polish/Hungarian/Eastern Europeans to replace them. Your mail service would get worse, and you'd complain about that too.

I think that's a rather sweeping assumption.

As an employer, my experience of Eastern European workers is very good.

They seem to have a much more positive work ethic and frankly some of the UK dross that have passed through my doors in search of work couldn't hold a candle to their Eastern European counterparts.

And_101 · Post by **And_101** » Wed 10 Oct, 2007 14:13

Giles wrote:
And_101 wrote:If all the posties resigned, then they'd just get a load of Polish/Hungarian/Eastern Europeans to replace them. Your mail service would get worse, and you'd complain about that too.
I think that's a rather sweeping assumption.

As an employer, my experience of Eastern European workers is very good.

They seem to have a much more positive work ethic and frankly some of the UK dross that have passed through my doors in search of work couldn't hold a candle to their Eastern European counterparts.

I wasn't saying they would not be keen, as all the ones I have met seem very keen.

The point I was making was that they would be inexperienced, and many have a limited knowledge of English which would further hinder them at being Posties.

Eastern Europeans are also more readily exploited by British employers, as they are willing to work for less money and poorer conditions, as that is still better than the pay and conditions in their own country. However that does not make it morally right.

Giles · Post by **Giles** » Wed 10 Oct, 2007 14:15

And_101 wrote: The point I was making was that they would be inexperienced, and many have a limited knowledge of English which would further hinder them at being Posties.

Just as well you are not an employer.

That preconception during a selection process, would get you into deep water.

///M Breadvan · Post by **///M Breadvan** » Wed 10 Oct, 2007 14:39

If someone will travel accross the globe in search of work for a better life for themselves and their family then good luck to them. Alot of the british people complaining about these guys wont even get off their arse to go a mile down to the job centre to look for work.

Remember, if these foreign workers work for a british company then they must pay british taxes and are contributing to our economy and helping look after the needy in our society as well as the dolescum (by this i dont mean everyone on the dole, i mean the ones that dont want to work and want me and you to pay for their beer, fags and widescreen tv's).

Freeloaders make me f**king sick and its generally these people that complain the most.

And_101 · Post by **And_101** » Wed 10 Oct, 2007 15:17

Giles wrote:
And_101 wrote: The point I was making was that they would be inexperienced, and many have a limited knowledge of English which would further hinder them at being Posties.
Just as well you are not an employer.

That preconception during a selection process, would get you into deep water.

I've interviewed people in the past, and also as a Union Shop Steward I'm aware of employment law.

And it is perfectly acceptable to ask questions about and test a candidates knowledge of the English Language - especially in circumstances where the job requires a good standard of written and spoken English.

And_101 · Post by **And_101** » Wed 10 Oct, 2007 15:23

///M Breadvan wrote:If someone will travel accross the globe in search of work for a better life for themselves and their family then good luck to them.

Good luck to them indeed, and I have no problem with that whatsoever.

However I do object when foreign workers are exploited by unscrupulous employers, or are used to undermine decent pay and working conditions at the expense of British workers.

Britain is already considered to be the sweat shop of Europe, I don't think we should make it worse.

And_101 · Post by **And_101** » Wed 10 Oct, 2007 15:27

///M Breadvan wrote:dolescum (by this i dont mean everyone on the dole, i mean the ones that dont want to work and want me and you to pay for their beer, fags and widescreen tv's).

Freeloaders make me f**king sick and its generally these people that complain the most.

Hmmm, I'd like you to explain how Jobs seekers allowance of £59.15 per week pays for beers, fags and widescreen tvs after you've paid for food, gas, electric etc. I think you've been reading too many untrue stories in the tabloids...

Giles · Post by **Giles** » Wed 10 Oct, 2007 15:42

And_101 wrote:And it is perfectly acceptable to ask questions about and test a candidates knowledge of the English Language - especially in circumstances where the job requires a good standard of written and spoken English.

Indeed I can't disagree with this. (Although isn't it sad many UK applicants these days fall down in this most basic of needs!)

The point is though, that your earlier posts suggested you had preconceived ideas about Eastern Europeans, which I find disturbing. That was my issue and one I'm not convinced you have yet properly addressed.

And_101 wrote:However that does not make it morally right.

The current postal dispute is creating havoc with small business cash flow.

I wonder how your 'moral credentials' stack up in circumstances whereby people's jobs are put at risk because the postal dispute is being used as an excuse to delay debtor payments?

The Colonel · Post by **The Colonel** » Wed 10 Oct, 2007 15:44

And_101 wrote:Hmmm, I'd like you to explain how Jobs seekers allowance of £59.15 per week pays for beers, fags and widescreen tvs after you've paid for food, gas, electric etc. I think you've been reading too many untrue stories in the tabloids...

You're not that naive are you?

And_101 · Post by **And_101** » Wed 10 Oct, 2007 15:57

Well Giles, my point about candidates having a good standard of written and spoken English is applicable to all irrelevant of whether they are Eastern European or British, and indeed I have across many British people who fail in that respect too.

However my "preconceptions" of Eastern Europeans are that they are less likely to have good written and spoken English, though if they do, I'm sure they would make a point of it in their application form. Some employers with large numbers of Polish or Eastern Europeans are already finding the language a problem, and have advertised for Supervisors who are bilingual.

I have a friend who works in a factory where they have taken on a large number of polish because the working conditions are poor. Whilst some do speak good English, many don't and he says its a pain trying to communicate with them to get the job done right. Also whilst they are keen to get the job done, they don't care about the job. They are just over here to work a few years, save a load a money and move back to Poland with it. So they'll put up with poor working conditions and low pay, live several to a room because it is not long term for them. Ultimately that is bad for a company, no loyalty, no passion for the job that is being done.

My preconceptions are not based on prejudice, but fact and logic. And I am sure like most things, there are exceptions to my arguments, but in general I think they hold up. I'd certainly happily interview an Eastern European for job, because I believe everyone deserves a chance but depending on the nature of the job role, I'd wish to ascertain their quality of English, and career aspirations.

And_101 · Post by **And_101** » Wed 10 Oct, 2007 15:59

The Colonel wrote:
And_101 wrote:Hmmm, I'd like you to explain how Jobs seekers allowance of £59.15 per week pays for beers, fags and widescreen tvs after you've paid for food, gas, electric etc. I think you've been reading too many untrue stories in the tabloids...
You're not that naive are you?

Perhaps I am? Because I don't understand what you mean. I don't smoke, don't drink that much, don't have a widescreen TV and struggle to make ends meet!

Giles · Post by **Giles** » Wed 10 Oct, 2007 16:04

And_101 wrote:Because I don't understand what you mean.

And_101 · Post by **And_101** » Wed 10 Oct, 2007 16:08

Giles wrote:
And_101 wrote:Because I don't understand what you mean.

Your point is a? A poster? JSA is still only £59.15 per week unless you have kids that is the only benefit you get along with Council Tax paid, or part paid and some of your mortgage interest paid.

£59.15 is not even a £10 a day, difficult to know how much fraud you can commit with that?

Giles · Post by **Giles** » Wed 10 Oct, 2007 16:09

I just thought the poster might help you with the 'naive' bit.

Obviously not.

The Colonel · Post by **The Colonel** » Wed 10 Oct, 2007 16:22

And_101 wrote:Perhaps I am? Because I don't understand what you mean.

Do you really believe that everyone that is in receipt of the JSA entirely "relies" on that £59.15 per week.

And_101 · Post by **And_101** » Wed 10 Oct, 2007 16:33

The Colonel wrote:
And_101 wrote:Perhaps I am? Because I don't understand what you mean.
Do you really believe that everyone that is in receipt of the JSA entirely "relies" on that £59.15 per week.

Well the government expects that you are "able" to - though I can't see how you can.

So what you are saying is that people claiming JSA do a bit of work for cash in hand?

Whilst I am sure that there are some people that fiddle the system, it probably is only a small minority. If it was most people that were fiddling, then that would suggest that the problem is that it is impossible to rely on £59.15 without a little extra?

However I don't think if people were able to make "loads" on the side they would still bother claiming £59.15 - its not worth the hassle. The implication that most people on JSA are "fiddling" or "freeloading" is quite insulting.

spokey · Post by **spokey** » Wed 10 Oct, 2007 16:38

And_101 wrote:The implication that most people on JSA are "fiddling" or "freeloading" is quite insulting.

Actually, I'd go a step further: EVERYONE on JSA is freeloading. I work my arse off to ensure that I'm employable and that I stay employed. While I'm paying for their worthless existences, I'll insult the lazy bastards as much as I can.

And_101 · Post by **And_101** » Wed 10 Oct, 2007 16:41

spokey wrote:
And_101 wrote:The implication that most people on JSA are "fiddling" or "freeloading" is quite insulting.
Actually, I'd go a step further: EVERYONE on JSA is freeloading. I work my **** off to ensure that I'm employable and that I stay employed. While I'm paying for their worthless existences, I'll insult the lazy bastards as much as I can.

Just shows what a bigoted and ignorant individual you are then!

Please remind me that when I see you in the gutter, that I am to step over you..

spokey · Post by **spokey** » Wed 10 Oct, 2007 16:49

And_101 wrote:Just shows what a bigoted and ignorant individual you are then!

I can't tell you how much your assessment of me matters. It's MY money that these wasters are using down the boozer, money that I'd far rather salt away for my pension or use for my daughter's education. Or even rather to buy another car with. I worked for that money, I didn't spend all my waking hours beavering away so that some other lazy wastrel could be kept in fags and beer.

I think the postal workers are a bunch of tw*ts as well:

Earlier, the CWU had said that some of its members would come to work at 6am, do a full day's work and at the end a manager could arbitrarily say whether they had worked hard enough for them to go home.

"I call that slavery," said Dave Ward, CWU General Secretary.

Those Royal Mail bosses are real slave drivers, aren't they? Or are they?

But Mr Crozier denied this kind of working practice ever happened.

Rather, he argued that the CWU was against the abolition of some of the so-called "Spanish practices" that were abandoned in the 1970s by most companies.

These include the freedom for a postal worker to go home before their shift has ended if they have completed their designated workload for the day, rather than help out where needed for the remainder of their working day.

I can just imagine what MY boss would say if I said, "I've finished my work for the day, I'm going home."

Mr Crozier added: "We are simply asking people to work the 37 hours and 20 minutes they are getting paid to work and if they have to work longer, then of course they get paid overtime.

Hardly an unreasonable position, I'd have thought. But no, the entire country has to endure a strike, everyone is inconvenienced so that Johnny Lazypants can go to the boozer early.

Sod them all.

The Colonel · Post by **The Colonel** » Wed 10 Oct, 2007 16:49

And_101 wrote:Whilst I am sure that there are some people that fiddle the system, it probably is only a small minority. If it was most people that were fiddling, then that would suggest that the problem is that it is impossible to rely on £59.15 without a little extra?

A friend of mine works as an investigator for the DWP, has done for fifteen years or so. I don't know the numbers, but he tells me that his caseload has never been higher.

However I don't think if people were able to make "loads" on the side they would still bother claiming £59.15 - its not worth the hassle.

Free money, you mean. I think to some it is, really depends on what they earn and how they earn it, it is nice to have something steady, and as a registered claimant it doesn't just stop at the £59.15, does it? And don't forget, that those that are earning "a little extra" are almost certainly doing so cash in hand and are not paying income tax or NI. Also if they have the ability to earn "a little extra" then they clearly have the capacity to have a job and not require JSA.

The implication that most people on JSA are "fiddling" or "freeloading" is quite insulting.

Well, it's your implication, I didn't use the word most.

PVR · Post by **PVR** » Wed 10 Oct, 2007 16:49

Don't think personal insults are necessary. It is Spokey's opinion and shared by a lot of people.

zroadster.net

Postal strike

Postal strike

Apathy

Re: Apathy