Civil servants face music
Posted on Mon, 03/08/2010 - 17:12 in Headline News
(CNS): Threatened with significant pay and benefit reductions, members of the civil service have planned a meeting on Monday evening to hear the details of the government's proposals from officials from the ministry and to offer their thoughts on those cuts and other cost cutting measures the public sector has been asked to make. According to a memo sent senior civil servants following their meeting with the premier last week, it is unclear whether there is still a window of opportunity to offer alternative solutions or whether the cuts are happening from this month.
President of the Cayman Islands Civil Service Association, James Watler, confirmed that the membership would be meeting on 8 March at 5:30 in the evening to hear the full details of government’s proposals and to survey the membership. He confirmed that CICSA had a number of questions about how the benefit and salary cuts would be implemented and how they would work in relation to contracts, as well as whether or not the decision has been made or if there is room for the membership to negotiate other options.
Watler said these were difficult times for everyone, especially the CICSA membership, but the civil service goal would be to remain politically neutral and endeavour to carry out the wishes of government. He also stated that the CICSA would be conducting a survey this evening of the membership's views, which would be handed to government before Wednesday of this week as requested.
Following his announcement last week in the Legislative Assembly that the proposed surplus for the government’s 2009/10 budget had in fact turned into a significant deficit, McKeeva Bush met with the civil service management to explain the need for drastic and immediate pay and benefit cuts, as well as departmental cuts. The meeting was followed by a memo from the financial secretary outlining the current budget deficit of over $62million and how much government could save with the proposed salary and benefit cuts. The memo also asks civil service managers to cut their department budget allocations for this year by 15% before 30 June. Financial Secretary Ken Jefferson has asked for plans on how they can make those cuts to be submitted to government before Wednesday.
The memo states that by reducing the salaries of all public sector workers, including those working for statutory authorities and government companies, the treasury can save around $17 million before the end of this fiscal year. If the cuts are sustained throughout 2010/11, government anticipates reducing the operating expenditure by over $51 million
The CICSA meeting will be taking part at the same time that the premier will deliver an address to the country regarding the current financial difficulties of the Cayman Island Government ahead of his visit to the UK to discuss the issue with the FCO and the Overseas Minister Chris Bryant.
CNS note: Unfortunately, we weren't able to attend the meeting last night (no press was allowed), but we would really like to hear from anyone who was there - you can remain anonymous. Call 926-6816 or email wendyledger@caymannewsservice.com
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I don't really understand the
I don't really understand the Civil Servants one bit !!!!!!!!!
In the private sector where majority works we have to pay 50% health insurance & 5% pension no matter how small our salary is, so why is that Civil Servants complain if they have to pay it right now we do it every month for as long as we work. As far as i'm concern Goverment has too many workers doing nothing and should start a clean up campaign and get rid of the "seat warmers" . For far too long they have been able to have the cake & eat the icing too.
Mr. Bush needs to stand up to these people and let them know they will have to do something. No one knows for sure if what they want to do will help the budget but if you don't try it then you'll never know.
In my opnion if they don't want to contribute to pension & health insurance or accept a salary cut then cut them off completely. I would prefer to have a small amount deducted from my salary than having my full salary taken. Alot from the private sector has been laid off so why can't government do the same.
BY THE WAY is the Civil Service Association a government run department??? If so then they should be the first ones to loose their pay cus all they are doing is sitting on their butts all day doing nothing like alot of the other departments.
I say to Mr. Bush and other cabinet members if you don't stand up to them then your ship will always be sinking......
Civil Service Association is
Civil Service Association is not a department !!!! It's an association made up of civil servants (duh!!!!)
This is a well thought out
This is a well thought out 12:19
"That's because they DONT KNOW, havent taken the time to do a proper study of how much $$$$ this saves the Govt, or whether or not it may be too little or too much. "
I agree 100%..... he/they do not have the answer. Back in 2000/2001 when his government put a freeze on increments as a cut back ...did it help?? NO NO NO cause then the fools just keep on spending spending. Now civil servants must bare the brunt of their slackness and overspending....
To all the posters who are criticizing civil servants (yes I do agree there are some seat warmers) Please pay a visit to the LA when it is in session and watch all those fools who were elected and are supposed to be working for the betterment of this country....... take a seat in the gallery and watch ........ now that's where you see some wasted salaries.... cut them down to $3000/4000 and see if they run next election...... see how many of them have love for country then.......
Even ships like the Titanic
Even ships like the Titanic don't sink by themselves. They need something to rip a hole in the side of the ship and flood it with water so fast that no one can bail it out and it goes down.
The Civil Service is handling that part of the fate of the Cayman Islands. They have the axes and are hacking away at the hole in the side of the ship. Every round of payrolls is another chunk of the ship ripped away, another stream of water pushing the ship down and drowning the people who are pointlessly trying to bail the water out of the ship.
Look around the Island tonight. Lights do indeed burn underwater, at least for a little while.
Research on leadership
Research on leadership indicates that 50-75% of organisations currently are managed by people sorely lacking in leadership competence.
Such leaders often also lack an appreciation of how the various parts of the service work as a whole which is known as "Systems Thinking" causing them to manage or lead by crisis. They are often poor communicators who are insensitive to morale issues; they tend to be viewed as mistrustful, over-controlling, and micro-managing. This inability to recognise how the organization functions as a system leads to their failure to follow through on initiatives or committments resulting in effective teams, low morale, poor quality, alienated employees, and costly attrition.
Is the Civil Service faced with such leadership issues? Why are innocent members of the Civil Service having to pay for the leadership mistakes of others when the warnings were given?
Tues 17:37: You are
Tues 17:37: You are describing most of the chief officers of the last 5 years (at least) who refused to get on board with doing things in a way that would be recognised in the 20th (note I didn't even say 21st) century. Their motto was and is that old demon saying "if it's not broke don't fix it" - an excuse for them to do nothing different to match changing global conditions while collecting their huge salaries which were assessed on the basis that they would be forward looking dynamic managers. Two of the worst are still there.
Is it not ironic that one of
Is it not ironic that one of the persons who has created this mess over decades, is now looking to stay on pass normal retirement age to help sort it out :-) !!!
And yes he is an expert on everything under the sun, knows it all, and only takes advice from certain people especially those from G20 countries.
The Titanic is Sinkins and
The Titanic is Sinkins and the UDP and its Premier ic the Captain. SORRY FOR THE GOOD SHIP CAYMAN REALLY SORRY.
Wendy/Nicky, I wouldn't worry
Wendy/Nicky, I wouldn't worry about it, you didn't miss much. As far as press not being allowed, I didn't know Austin was on the payroll.
Pretty sure he was there until bitter end, maybe he would fill you in on the details.
GIVE THANKS!! Sit and think
GIVE THANKS!!
Sit and think for a bit guys, it could be worst.
Things could be the other way around, such as not having a job.
Full born Caymanian, all I have to say is that some of you are too too ungrateful. I don't care who like or not that's my two words, take that to the bank.
If McKeeva is too scared to
If McKeeva is too scared to introduce the lottery then he should waive the "No Duty" to churches. Churches collect sufficient funds throughout the year to cover paying the minister, housing him, providing a car and ffeding him and then for him to have enough to buil.d his home overseas, support his family overseas etc etc etc - but they dont have enough to pay custom duties on the buidling materials that they have purchased, or the furniture?
Every month a new church is being opened in a plaza that has a unit large enough to hold about 30 members and parking lot that can only hold 2 memebers. We have more churches than banks now and while churches are a good thing - the falsehood behind which many of them are opened and run does not benefit the congregation nor the community.
OMG you are so right about
OMG you are so right about what is happening, concerning the churches. The district of Bodden Town has a church in every lane. Una come check out the congregations. You will be shocked What are these people doing anyway.
Who is responsible for all of this? These same people are living a life of fornication and adultery, sleepng with church sisters and brothers, pastors and deacons, and crying Lord, Lord preaching on Sunday mornings and tent meetings every night. How can sinners come to repentance after knowing this?
Why is the Immigration and Government giving them a free ride.
Brothers and Sisters, if you
Brothers and Sisters, if you think Bodden Town in a mess with churches springing up like mad, check out Cayman Brac! I went to the Brac for the Agriculture Day and even on the bluff, two new churches.
And another bloody church
And another bloody church going up outside Bodden Town. Please stop the nonsense someone..please. It's all such terrible nonsense and hypocrisy.
IMMIGRATION AND
IMMIGRATION AND GOVENMENT, PLANNING DE[PARTMENT is to be blamed for this. We got churches with names like, Church of Fire, Church of Ra Ra and , Church of u Ru, Church of the mountain, and Church of the Gate.
Cayman better be careful that these same churches is not practicing woodoo. Because when you see pastor tell the members to write down things on paper lke the names of Immigration oficers, their employers names, husband and wife names and then go outside to a burning drum of fire and CHANT and throw the paper in fire..........SOME THING IS Not RIGHT.!!!
Do you think it is just So, So, why all these killings and robbery is taking place in Cayman, like every one gone mad. Let me tell you something. Just as well as there is good there is evil. those in authority need to pay m,ooer attention. District rep. need to[ check on what is going on in their disticts, something is wrong.
First pay cuts, then direct
First pay cuts, then direct taxation.
Yes the civil service, like the private sector, needs to make cuts, but it would be an absolute folly to agree to it now for two reasons.
To author of : Submitted by
To author of :
Mr. Premier Bush-
I say CONGRATULATIONS- you have made some cognizant and respectable points and your observations should be taken onboard and considered.
McBush, in lieu of salary,
McBush, in lieu of salary, pension and health care payments for the next three months, we will take the new Admin building from you.
You will not however be able to rent it back from us as you would likely default on payments anyway. Plans are afoot to to open the Caribbeans premier casino within this building. We will not stop there however, it has also been decided that half of the building will be utilized as the worlds largest strip club. All Government and Private sector workers made redundant as as a result of the gross incompetence of this and previous elected Governments will be offered positions within our new venture. We will be farming our own turtles on the roof for the consumption of our employees only.
Should you and your colleagues wish to utilise our new facilities, you may be permitted to do so. You will however have to pay double the price of our civilian clients and your clothing must remain on at all times.
Yes, there will be a waterslide from the roof.
In any organization except
In any organization except government, the organization must cut expenses when the revenue stream decreases.
Years ago, when I worked in a branch of a large corporation, I marvelled at how fast the line printer was spitting out the payroll checks. I wondered what kind of a bank account was behind it.
I found out when suddenly the corporate revenue stream took a large dip. Headquarters immediately issued an order to each branch manager to cut back expenses by a large percentage.
It was left up to each branch manager to figure out how to implement his portion of the cut, so each branch manager called in his directors and handed each one his share.
That is how it is done in business, but unfortunately not in government, which instead always goes after more revenue.
Government tends to forget that it owes its existence to the taxes and fees it collects from business, which is also being squeezed.
It should remember that businesses will simply collapse if they become unable to cover their expenses.
It is called Government and
It is called Government and not Business, because it is different!
Simply put, Business is all about profit.
Government is not-for-profit as it has to consider the wider societal implications. If many things were left for Business to decide upon, society worldwide would be in shambles.
Someone has to take responsibility and it therefore has to be Government for the wider good.
Government is not-for-profit
Government is not-for-profit
That is precisely why government has no "business" trying to run government owned businesses such as the Water Authority.
Government for the wider good
Idealism can be a good thing. Unfortunately I am not sure that exclusive real estate deals, luxury condos, personal servants at the expense of poor working people, and the use of public funds to add value to personal property adds up to "Government for the wider good."
As you have probably noted in the international press, business executives who use shareholder's money for their own enrichment tend to end up in jail. That is another good reason why government should be run like a business.
And yet the water authority
And yet the water authority is one of the few government entities in the black... Can we please let it stay government owned and operated to offset some of the politically motivated government entities wasting public funds (Boatswains, Cayman Airways, etc.)? If we get rid of/shut down/downsize/privatize the aforementioned losers, then the gains of the water authority might be of real benefit to government coffers, rather than nobly, but perhaps futilely, trying to save the city by holding its finger in the dyke. (Hope you know your European folklore for that one, those of you with your minds in the gutter!)
And please, can we all agree that Mac's current wasting of public funds to upgrade his PRIVATE residency isn't truly reflective of government in general? He's a meglomaniac that West Bayers unfortunately decide to keep electing so he can ruin the rest of the island. (Pity he has no musical talents - and anyone who has heard him sing can attest to that - because otherwise we'd have a great Nero analogy).
Let Cayman Water Company take
Let Cayman Water Company take over Cayman Water Authority, that way they will both be more efficient by virtue of the economies of scale.
Since civil servants are
Since civil servants are mandated to carry out the will of the government and remain politically neutral, can we march on Saturday if we do not agree with the the present Govt? I have no faith in this Govt. Time and time again proposals are put forward only to be retracted. Even fewer proposals are put in writing only to be denied.
I want to see a duly signed document outlining the state of Governemt finances, not someone reading numbers at me. This meeting was a very poor representation by the Premier and the "Accountant General" representing the ever elusive Financial Secretary.
Glad to see the civil
Glad to see the civil servants from Little Cayman and the Brac were offered the opportunity to comment on / contribute to the CICSA membership meeting yesterday. Or are they not members?
As a Brac civil servant I did
As a Brac civil servant I did not know about this. How was that done????
Duhhhhhh i bet you are under
Duhhhhhh i bet you are under 3000 lol!
It was done through the
It was done through the magical medium of sarcasm.
asleep on the job again???
asleep on the job again???
I am amazed that so many
I am amazed that so many people think that cutting the salary and benefits of the civil service is the answer to all problems. Whilst I agree that the civil service is bloated and there are a lot of seat warmers, to make a general cut across the board is just wrong. You have to do it on a case by case basis to ensure that it is really felt by the ones who have abused the system for years!
What are the MLAs going to do to reduce cost? There is a lot more that they can do besides cutting their own or the civil servants salaries.
In the private sector is it the same thing! The little man is asked to cut back on cost whilst we have to sit back and watch management to continue with spending like there is no tomorrow. Business trips continue to be made, flying business class or even first class and staying at fancy hotels with nothing to show for at the end of the day.......
I work in the private sector
I work in the private sector and the company I work for did salary cuts a year ago. Our salary cuts ranged from 5% - 20% depending on your level and not how much your salary is! Even if you were making less than $2,000 your pay was also cut and you still contributed to you half of the health insurance as you always had before. I am also well aware of other private sector companies that did the same thing long before the Government decided to do this!!! In a nut shell the Civil Servants are behind us! We most certainly won't be enjoying any discounts at any any supermarkets, utility companies or airline carriers if that is agreed upon by those establishments. Instead we could more than likely end up with an increase in OUR expediture because we have to subsidize government workers discounts!
Part of the problem occurs
Part of the problem occurs when those working hard around a "seat warmer" allow that person to get away with it.
It should now be clear that it's everybody's business when a team colleague isn't pulling his/her weight.
Everybody suffers when a department's productivity and reputation is damaged by an individual's poor performance.
If that employee's manager now understands that his/her paycheque might be directly impacted by allowing such things to continue then perhaps he/she will do what is needed to shape up or ship out the offender.
Exactly! Why should dept
Exactly! Why should dept heads continue to receive their inflated salary and benefits if they are not capable for running the dept efficiently and effectively? Government has always promoted people as a favour or because of seniority and very rarely because of ability. Now it is finally catching up with everyone and as usual everyone else has to take the fall.
The cuts aren't the problem.
The cuts aren't the problem. The problem is the cuts AND the health care costs coming at the same time. Instead of losing 5% and 10% of their salaries, civil servants with fairly low salaries to moderate salaries (let's say up to $5000 a month) are going to be losing anywhere from 18-29% of their net income, and that figure is calculated assuming it's a single person under CINICO as the percentage is much higher for families. If you factor in a pension holiday, the immediate loss to the civil servant much higher (maxing out at 30-41% if the civil servant were to continue to save/invest the same $ amount as before the holiday, but out of their own pocket). Either the brackets for the percentage cuts needs to be changed and the percentage cut lowered to account for the high costs of health care, or the UDP might as well say the cuts were designed to screw over those in the low to middle class while only being an inconvienence for the rich.
I propose 2% for $3000-3999 a month, 4% for 4000-5499 a month, 6% for 5500-6499 a month, 8% for 6500-7499 a month, 10% for 7500-9999 a month, and 15% for 10000+ a month. While the specific salary cuts wouldn't save AS much money, but these cuts wouldn't be so highly regressive when accounting for the additional impact of paying for CINICO with no choice as to the level of coverage. I think cuts need to happen, but let's make sure they happen proportionately for the right people, no?
This is a well thought out
This is a well thought out response. Unfortunately, there hasnt been a well thought out proposal from Cabinet. During last nights meeting, someone asked a question (i think it was Austins brother) "what figure has cabinet designated that it desires to cut from the operating deficit by the civil servants salary cut, and when this figure is achieved, will the salary cut be removed?"
Crickets........The premier had finance comittee start the meeting by rattling off figures, but was unable to answer a simple question about the cuts. How much do you plan to save by the proposed measures? And for how long? is there a "magic number" that were trying to achieve?........crickets.....no answer.
That's because they DONT KNOW, havent taken the time to do a proper study of how much $$$$ this saves the Govt, or whether or not it may be too little or too much.
Very Sad to see.
Unfortunately on this little
Unfortunately on this little island the major voting block is the civil servants so politicians handle them with kid gloves and some governments have sought to enhance their status by swelling the ranks hopeful that votes would be returned.
What currently is happening is the country is on the brink of being forced to initiate direct taxation and some politicians continue to play politics for their own selfish aims.
If direct taxation is forced on the Cayman Islands many expat bashers will get their long awaited wish, a Cayman for Caymanians only.
"The size of the civil
"The size of the civil service increased substantially in the latter part of this decade, and the cost of salaries went up accordingly. The cost of providing pension and health care for government employees also increased.
Treasury Department figures show the increase in personnel costs going from about $150 million in 2000 to $245 million in 2008.
The personnel costs estimated per civil servant have increased sharply in the past three years. In 2006, Treasury Department figures show government spent approximately $51,875 per worker; in 2007 that figure was $55,555; and last year that cost ballooned to $64,509 per civil servant. In fact, during calendar year 2008 the total number of civil servants decreased slightly (1.1 per cent), but the government’s personnel budget still increased nearly 15 per cent."
Read the full article on the Chamber of Commerce's website at: http://www.compasscayman.com/chamber/2009/10/21/Chamber-analysis--How-we-got-here/
It doesnt matter if
It doesnt matter if he didnt have constitutional authority, the fact remains civil servants should be cut.
This is about the survival of Cayman.
The worst is yet to come.
"It doesnt matter if
"It doesnt matter if he didnt have constitutional authority'
Are you insane??? OF COURSE it matters that he doesn't have constitutional authority...that makes it UNLAWFUL...or do you just not care about living in a DICTATORSHIP???
I would advise anyone who thinks that this is not their problem to consider the following:
First a quote from Pastor Martin Niemoeller on the actions of the Nazi's leading up to WW II
First they came for the communists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a communist;
Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a trade unionist;
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—because I was not a Jew;
Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak out for me.
and next another very telling poem about not speaking out against what is wrong...it is long, so I will only post the link, but it is worth reading..
http://www.propertyrightsresearch.org/articles6/hangman_by_maurice_o.htm
Really? Comparing relatively
Really? Comparing relatively modest pay cuts to Nazi death camps.
"They came..." for everyone else in the private sector 18 months ago!
Welcome to real life.
The Government are not
The Government are not talking about "modes pay cuts"...
They are violating the contracts of thousands of persons who have done nothing so criminal as to want to work in the public service. Someone else posted that IF the government vacates thousands of CS contracts and decides to start pay cuts, then what does that say to the rest of the worlds financial institutions about our ability to make good on our overseas debts?? Is everyone quite happy to see Peter robbed to pay Paul??? If your employer walked in one day and said, "I expect you to work 40 hours this week, but I am only going to pay you for 32 hours, you people would be banging down the door to the Dept of Employee Relations( A Civil Service, BTW) about unfair workplace conditions...but everyone thinks nothing of DEMANDING that the CS take a paycut in VIOLATION of their written and legaly binding contracts...You chose to work under the conditions of your employement. So did the CS, so why should public sector be punished??Go on..keep pushing...when the CS files a lawsuit against the CIG for contract violations and the CIG has to repay the CS and puts the country even furthur into finanacial ruin..where ya gonna be then??? Demand that your leaders spend public funds wiser. Don't demand that persons who have done nothing wrong, be punished for their financial ineptitude..
"If your employer walked in
"If your employer walked in one day and said, "I expect you to work 40 hours this week, but I am only going to pay you for 32 hours, you people would be banging down the door..."
The firm I work with saw this coming and took preparitory action. I have been banned from claiming overtime since Aug 08 but working plenty plenty overtime. Salaries were frozen (we didn't even get cost of living raises in any event); bonuses were stopped, and we've been expected to cram a couple of days work into a regular day, rather than our employers having to recruit more staff. I am in the private sector and I am in a similar band to the lowest paid workers in the CS but I do pay my own healthcare and pension contributions. I banged on nobody's door. I did not complain. Yes, I am starting to feel a little taken for granted and I am completely frazzled when I finally get home from work and 7-8 pm every night, but I am grateful that my employers chose another way to address their (continuing) financial problems rather than make me redundant. I am grateful to have a job.
I don't believe I am the only private sector worker in this position. So you see you're not alone. We were there long before you, and you are only just starting to feel some of the pinch that private sector workers have now been suffering for the last couple of years.
I did nothing wrong either, but the government seems to think that people like me and my private sector employers should pay heavily for their "financial ineptitude". So if we have to do it, I think its only fair that everybody has to. Don't you?
If your employer walked in
If your employer walked in one day and said, "I expect you to work 40 hours this week, but I am only going to pay you for 32 hours
This has aready happened to the private sector a year and a half ago, in fact it's usually expecting 60 hours for 35hours pay.
didn't hear you speak out when that happened mate, only when your neck was on the line. Maybe try reading your little quote again and realise your the only one left to complain, the "Nazi's" have already come for everyone else.
Good job on your timing
They already came for the
They already came for the private sector and you were very quiet, that just leaves the public sector, hence now yuo are the only ones left.
You should have spoken up earlier before your neck was on the line, now it is too late.
You really should have paid more attention to the quote before you were the last ones left
BTW FYI..MY neck is NOT on
BTW FYI..MY neck is NOT on the line...and what is this "they came for the private sector" you speak of...elaborate??
Right is right and wrong is wrong, but illegal is ALWAYS illegal...and someone, most ALWAYS the public, has to pay to right that wrong...We should ALL be raising our voices to this...as a nation..not as public or private sector...
mm lets see the private
mm lets see the private sector:
Have taken redundancies; have had pay freezes or cuts over a year ago; most I know are working 60+ hours or more a week and getting paid only for only 40 of them as overtime has been stopped being paid; many staff have had their hours reduced further, especially the hospitality industry.
Now we have all lost 5% of our remuneration with the pension holiday.
When the private sector get cuts due to the economy, the gv just increases fee so more employees suffer all to make sure the civil service can carry on like normal.
When the private sector get cuts yo don't hear the Prem talking about giving them decreses on groceries or flights, When these are implemented, it justs means prices are going to increase for everyone else, some one has to pay.
That is when they came for the private sector, your ignorance of the matter really just proves my point.
When you look into the Rorschah pattern it seems all you see is yourself
I didn't hear the Premiere
I didn't hear the Premiere offering price decreases and lowered flights to Civil Servants?? Maybe you can back this up with some proof instead of just pulling things like this out or your...thin air...
You say the private sector have endure pay freezes??? How about having your pay frozen for the last 10 YEARS??? The Civil Service has!!!
Hospitality is seasonal...everyone who works in it KNOWS that there are busy times and slow times...Smart employees bank there money when they are making it and use that savings when times get slow and hours get cut back...Dumb employees spend like sailors on leave and have nothing to show for it....Get the picture??
Ask any civil servant when was the last time THEY got a pay increase other than a 1 or 2 % annual "Cost of Living increase"?? Overtime?? NOT in this CS....
When prices are increased, do you think Civil Servants are given a special discount card to produce at Foster's or Kirk's or Hurley's that entitles them to a reduced grocery bill??? Or at CUC?? OR the Water Authority?? Civil Servants Pay the SAME BILLS AS YOU...They are not treated to special discounts, so price increases affect EVERYONE...Not just the people in the Private Sector...
I want to see how you people are going to act when you get your wish and the government guts the CS and you don't get the same services you have come to take for granted?? Then you will have something else to pi$$ and Moan about the CS....
"I didn't hear the Premiere
"I didn't hear the Premiere offering price decreases and lowered flights to Civil Servants?? Maybe you can back this up with some proof instead of just pulling things like this out or your...thin air..."
Oh yes he did, I was sat in a government office at the time that morning waiting to be served by staff who were more interested in making me wait while they listening to the radio giving details of all the cuts the Premier had tried to obtain. It was clearly announced that he was negotiating a 20% discount on Cayman Airways flights. And boy were those staff getting excited all chatting amongst themselves about booking holidays abroad and how they could go to better destinations with a 20% discount. I had nothing better to do than listen to them, as I was still waiting to be served.
"Smart employees bank there money when they are making it and use that savings when times get slow and hours get cut back..."
Yes they do, if they earn sufficient to save in the first place. But after I have paid my health and pension insurance, (extortionate) rent, CUC, water and bus fares I have little to nothing left that I could save... unless I went without food that is, and believe me I am rationing that too. You see, contrary to common opinion, we're not all rich in the private sector. Just as the CS have their bigwigs on big salaries, and their admin staff on low salaries, so do the private sector.
Ask any civil servant when was the last time THEY got a pay increase other than a 1 or 2 % annual "Cost of Living increase"?? Overtime?? NOT in this CS....
This is not unusual in the private sector either. Try not even 1 or 2%. Try nothing.
When prices are increased, do you think Civil Servants are given a special discount card to produce at Foster's or Kirk's or Hurley's that entitles them to a reduced grocery bill??? Or at CUC?? OR the Water Authority?? Civil Servants Pay the SAME BILLS AS YOU...They are not treated to special discounts, so price increases affect EVERYONE...Not just the people in the Private Sector...
I think they would have been had Bush had more success in those negotiations. I don't agree that you should have though. I would also add that Healcare and Pensions contributions affect EVERYONE... oh, except for the civil service that is - you don't have that expense to worry about do you?
Please stop the "oh woe is me" drama - we're all in the same boat in case you hadn't notice because you are so busy licking your own wounds.
pay frozen for the last 10
pay frozen for the last 10 YEARS??? The Civil Service has!!!
weird how the salary cost of the civil service has increased even in the last year, when the number of civil servants decreased, mmm fishy
The grocery cuts were part of his speach Monday night, maybe you should have listened,, and yes they were only for the civil service
As for the service, frankly it could not get anyworse, so not really worried about that
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Dan the man (AG) needs to
Dan the man (AG) needs to investigate the costs incurred by Government departments for sending their staff overseas on so called training events when infact they are nothing but jollys with the staff returning with no more skills, knowledge or motivation as before. A waste of public money. Get to it Dan.
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