David Higgins

Yesterday saw most Public Servants walk out of work to protest at the cuts that haven’t happened yet. From early morning pickets were placed throughout the country at various locations.

However, also from early morning there were traffic jams on the roads leading to border towns like Newry and Enniskillen. Coincidence? I think not. There are private sector workers who had to take the day off to mind their kids who had no school to go to. However it’s likely that at least half of the shoppers were public servants who caused the 7 mile queue into Newry Town Centre this morning.

It’s a PR disaster for the Unions. General Secretary of IMPACT Peter McLoone dismissed this as “nonsense” on both TV3 and RTÉ. He said that public servants turned out in their “tens of thousands” to picket government departments and buildings. That’s great, but what were the other 200,000 public servants doing if only a few tens of thousands of them were out?

Also last night Dublin City saw huge volumes of people in its clubs and bars. One taxi driver commented that it was like a Friday or Saturday night with three times the fares for a Monday. The same taxi-man overheard a conversation between some of his public sector passengers. “They better hold the next strike on a Friday so we get a 3 day weekend”!

Oh poor cash strapped public servants. The world’s smallest violin playing the world’s saddest song just for you!

I passed my closed school today only to find one person on the picket, our Caretaker. Sure, some of the teachers were at the mass protest at the department of education but it seriously shows a lack of solidarity when he’s the only one there. He’d be the lowest paid of the staff of the school and so I sympathise with him. He was out in the cold while other teachers stayed in and corrected homework.

People on the dole should be furious about this. They’ve lost their Christmas Bonus and they are set to lose more from their support after next month’s budget. For many the loss of the bonus has meant that many will forgo buying presents this year with the cash going to repay bills or mortgages. They look at public servants who have the day off and who have the cash to spend up north or in packed shopping centres like Dundrum and they cringe.

This strike really has been a disaster. Sure the government saved a few bob from not paying the workers but it won’t be near the €70m that is borrowed everyday to pay for public services.

Next Thursday we have the same thing again. I can’t wait. I bet the queue to Newry will be 10 miles this time ?

Story Here
Just look at this fella. Smug as hell, just waiting to take your money from you. So why give it to him?

He’s the presenter of Play TV, TV3′s late night game show. It comes on after midnight and it costs €1.50 to ring in, whether you get through or not.

The games are mind puzzles and sometimes the answer is clear or it isn’t. Either way it draws hundreds to ring in and fight for the measly four-figure prizes. However only a handful ever get to answer the questions.

When you ring in you are told simply to try again and the call ends, all for €1.50. Rip-off? Yes, but it’s still your own fault if you’re stupid enough to ring in again!

People have a right to complain but they were the ones who dialled the number. If you actually think that you will win something from these shows then you deserve to have your money taken from you in the first place.

Dear Teacher,

St. Colmcilles Community School has always prided itself on a high level of punctuality and attendance. Our tight rules in this area reflects the school’s belief that every minute spent in school is precious and that time spent out of school puts in jeopardy the academic prospects of its students.

The teachers unions that represent the staff of this school will soon ballot their members on industrial action ahead of December’s budget. The proposals will allow their members to go on strike if rates of pay are reduced or if there are compulsory redundancies imposed on their members.

I am urging all teachers to vote against strike action.

A strike would only serve to damage the education of the students of this school. Pupils studying for either the Junior or Leaving Certificate would miss out on vital information and this could affect their performance in the state examinations next June. Ultimately it would be the fault and responsibility of teachers if a 6th year student were to be five or ten points short of their desired college course. I know that parents, students and especially teachers don’t want this situation to arise.

The proposed cuts in the budget are going to be tough for many of you and coming from a family where income is down over 20% I can sympathise greatly with your situations. However the response to cuts should not be to cut days out of the school year or to cut other engagements like parent teacher meetings. It is the height of hypocrisy.

Teachers have a battle to fight with the government and it seems that the unions want to fight it in the hallways of our schools instead of at the gates of Leinster House. I condemn this completely and I will not stand for the students of this country being held for ransom.

I hope many of you will put the needs of your students before the desires of your union when you cast your ballot,

Thank You

David Higgins