tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4489565303994499222.post529637166151254367..comments2023-10-30T08:23:36.678+00:00Comments on Trying My Patients: Not The Time Or The PlaceElla Shawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15379522083602755280noreply@blogger.comBlogger30125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4489565303994499222.post-30064455929354603322013-04-05T00:13:36.792+01:002013-04-05T00:13:36.792+01:00My husband works as a signmaker. His wages have no...My husband works as a signmaker. His wages have not increased by either performance or inflation in over 4 years and for several months he had to drop to a 4 day week. We cut back, got by and we're still ok. It makes me so, so mad when people demand more money for the job they are in when there is clearly no money in the pot. Most people get a fair deal and I'm sure we all wish we had more money coming in but strikes / epetitions are not the answer.Tilnoomnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4489565303994499222.post-58373458841676445752013-04-04T01:01:14.642+01:002013-04-04T01:01:14.642+01:00I think that it is likely the implementation that ...I think that it is likely the implementation that is the problem. If they had very gradually brought it into the mix I don't think it would be causing as many problems. But when my monthly insurance premiums went from 354 to 786 in a single month's time due to Obama Care or "Affordable Care" (whichever you wish to call it) I find myself having issues with it, which even with the raised minimum wage it is no where close to affordable. While national health care would have its advantages the costs to an already struggling economy are doing more harm than good. Big companies either can't afford to insure every last employee because of the dramatic price increase and the increased minimum wage or they simply aren't willing to take such a substantial hit to their profits. Small businesses are going under and so are bigger ones. And the ones who are surviving this are raising their prices dramatically for goods which just adds to the problem. A good idea that was gone about in the absolute wrong way sadly. Costly legislation wasn't the way to go about things right now. Just watch the US's debt clock for oh about an hour. Rather painful to watch actually.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4489565303994499222.post-64145625803247496122013-04-03T20:12:50.223+01:002013-04-03T20:12:50.223+01:00My decision about unions isn't based on Thatch...My decision about unions isn't based on Thatcher or any particular campaign against them. I was a member of Unison for 11 years in total. My decision wasn't based on one email not returned either. It is based on the behaviour of unions in general in recent years, holding this country to ransom, causing more harm than good. Train unions....brings country to a standstill for nothing more than greed. Fire union.....not only strikes putting lives at risk but physically prevent others do the job whilst they are striking. Unions strike last year for the ambulance service....again, putting lives at risk. That isn't why I do the job I do. Striking in my opinion is verging on archaic behaviour and is not productive. Regarding my local rep. I don't have one, I have 3 on my station alone. I copied them all in including the sector rep. I saw them all on station in person and they would always 'get back to me'. They may well be protection for unfair dismissal but there are other ways to get that provided. <br /><br />Obviously we'll have to agree to disagree! I don't think unions are the way forward and I think they are holding this country back. If they were so powerful would these health care reforms that no one wants really be going through? They don't have the power they once had and this renders them useless in my opinion. And that is all it is, my opinion!Ella Shawhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15379522083602755280noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4489565303994499222.post-84862274812899354892013-04-03T19:43:30.622+01:002013-04-03T19:43:30.622+01:00There's your problem, right there! Not enough ...There's your problem, right there! Not enough people nowadays are joineing unions thanks to Thatcher and her little minions. Unions are not the devil, unions are there for every worker in this country and if I could advise anyone one thing it would be 'learn the red flags for sociopathy and join a union'. Oh, that's two, Oh well....<br /><br />Everyone should encourage their workmates to join a union. The problem comes when you are having to say, 'I emailed...' Shit. Quit that union and join one where you have a union rep on site. They won't know everything, but they have access to so much support, and being right there is really important and the way it is historically meant to be. Or become the union rep for your hospital or whatever. That is what I did.<br /><br />Unions are not outdated, they are still the main way negotiations take place (er, maybe this is why physios are better off than ambulance paramedics?), and they are a MASSIVE protection to every worker, especially since the removal of legal aid - if you are unfairly dismissed, who will fund your court case?<br /><br />I kind of chose the PM as an example. But if you have so much power and perks, who needs a big wage? I'd do it for my wage.Glitterfluffhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00745594619309464125noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4489565303994499222.post-44186251969446402022013-04-03T13:43:19.780+01:002013-04-03T13:43:19.780+01:00I think the prime minister should be paid a lot! H...I think the prime minister should be paid a lot! He is the prime minister after all! He earns a fraction of what the US president earns and a fraction of what most low level bankers earn! I agree with you about the banding. It wasn't that I was happy with our money, its that a petition isnt the way to go. Of the 18,000 registered paramedics only 3,500 are member of the CoP. If we dont have the respect of our profession to be a member of its professional body we cant expect to be taken seriously by a petition!<br /><br />As for the union posts, generally I am anti-union. They had a place in the workplace years ago but now they are hugely outdated in my opinion. They havent done much for us in recent years and personally, when I have needed them twice they did nothing to support me. Didn't even reply to emails requesting for help. Therefor I cancelled my membership! Ella Shawhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15379522083602755280noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4489565303994499222.post-38068650847868128042013-04-03T13:38:56.108+01:002013-04-03T13:38:56.108+01:00Very good point! I'm for the Obama Care Act pe...Very good point! I'm for the Obama Care Act personally but perhaps not how it's being implemented. The NHS has worked wonders in this country but trying to implement such huge legislation is costly! Ella Shawhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15379522083602755280noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4489565303994499222.post-70762334761971441382013-04-03T13:37:28.081+01:002013-04-03T13:37:28.081+01:00That's food for thought!That's food for thought!Ella Shawhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15379522083602755280noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4489565303994499222.post-36137962073586605232013-04-03T13:36:56.313+01:002013-04-03T13:36:56.313+01:00Thank you! Lovely thing to say!Thank you! Lovely thing to say!Ella Shawhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15379522083602755280noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4489565303994499222.post-10782434501398388692013-04-03T13:36:27.927+01:002013-04-03T13:36:27.927+01:00Lovely wasn't it!Lovely wasn't it!Ella Shawhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15379522083602755280noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4489565303994499222.post-91348643470737636122013-04-03T13:36:03.018+01:002013-04-03T13:36:03.018+01:00The bands need a review but a petition isn't t...The bands need a review but a petition isn't the way!Ella Shawhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15379522083602755280noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4489565303994499222.post-30821415074425629042013-04-03T13:35:11.373+01:002013-04-03T13:35:11.373+01:00Totally agree!Totally agree!Ella Shawhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15379522083602755280noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4489565303994499222.post-62668068744808743272013-04-02T21:43:22.191+01:002013-04-02T21:43:22.191+01:00I don't buy the 'we knew the pay/risks/amo...I don't buy the 'we knew the pay/risks/amount of shit we'd be shovelling when we took the job' because the same could have been said to any worker during the general strike even. Doesn't make it right when the alternative is dole or another low-pay job - band 5 is not a great wage. Look at it this way - if you swapped jobs with David Cameron, you could probably get away with it for a bloody long time before someone stepped in and said, 'er, think you've messed up enough now'. He wouldn't even know how to load the ambulance. Yet who is paid vast amounts more? You are on the same wage as a newly-qualified physio - that isn't right. The banding needs review, and surely there is a pay review body you can appeal to, or get COP to? The petition definitely isn't the way to go, agreed there. Must've missed the post about the unions, cos I'd probably not have agreed!Glitterfluffhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00745594619309464125noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4489565303994499222.post-84695393885415273722013-04-01T14:08:25.197+01:002013-04-01T14:08:25.197+01:00Clearly you missed my sarcasm. Just like you misse...Clearly you missed my sarcasm. Just like you missed the points made in the blog.Ella Shawhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15379522083602755280noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4489565303994499222.post-39720048965613535742013-04-01T12:45:40.563+01:002013-04-01T12:45:40.563+01:00I was sighing at you..!I was sighing at you..!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4489565303994499222.post-39448627621138878062013-04-01T08:27:26.858+01:002013-04-01T08:27:26.858+01:00I'm not a paramedic nor do I live in the UK, I...I'm not a paramedic nor do I live in the UK, I have the joy of living in America where the economy's financial situation isn't great either. And I have to agree with you, this isn't the time to be going about asking for higher pay. The money needed for pay increases just doesn't exist right now. Petitions over here have been trying to do the same thing and it is only further harming the economy, such as raising the national minimum wage, or the Obama Care Act. Both of which are examples of things that started out as petitions and actually were put into effect and they have had a crippling effect on this country. It's now a major competition to even get a job a McDonalds. 80-90 year olds have been forced to come out of retirement because they now are desperate for money. Unemployment had skyrocketed and employers are refusing to higher because of the extreme cost to them. Its a rather ugly situation now. This was not the time for the US to go about raising wages and creating high;y expenses on the people acts but it did and the effect is already disastrous and these changes are only new, in 2014 when they fully hit I can only fear what will happen. I pray your government has more sense to not make the same mistakes. Yes wages are outdated these days, but the overall economy needs to be fixed well before we think of the few over the many.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4489565303994499222.post-65775310619198231882013-04-01T06:53:43.064+01:002013-04-01T06:53:43.064+01:00Thanks for the comment Richard but you've sign...Thanks for the comment Richard but you've signed it without making a point....Ella Shawhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15379522083602755280noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4489565303994499222.post-11326905005372669312013-04-01T06:52:25.833+01:002013-04-01T06:52:25.833+01:00Edit made! Point taken, but it's an e-petition...Edit made! Point taken, but it's an e-petition representing a profession on a government website wanting to gain 100,000 signatures. It should be beyond reproach!Ella Shawhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15379522083602755280noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4489565303994499222.post-70189182839268015172013-04-01T06:50:11.345+01:002013-04-01T06:50:11.345+01:00Good oneGood oneElla Shawhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15379522083602755280noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4489565303994499222.post-17252253256017343442013-03-31T23:37:13.615+01:002013-03-31T23:37:13.615+01:00*sigh**sigh*Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4489565303994499222.post-39147606381982935822013-03-31T23:27:07.023+01:002013-03-31T23:27:07.023+01:00This is a good post, Ella, but I have to say you&#...This is a good post, Ella, but I have to say you're being a little hypocritical questioning this guy's grammar when you write "I know open this post..." <br /><br />Other than that, the points you raise are valid.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4489565303994499222.post-4979535560015062412013-03-31T20:40:56.598+01:002013-03-31T20:40:56.598+01:00Come on! Do you really think e-petition is the way...Come on! Do you really think e-petition is the way to do it? Do you really think it was well written? Did I say we are on the right band? Did I say we deserve more? Please read it before commenting or you look silly! I've had 40+ replies on twitter and Facebook from paramedic who agree. One you two who don't. The petition made me cringe. You are yet to give any argument as to why the e-petition is the way to go. You need to get real! Oh, and if you think I will delete this post because you think it's silly you are sadly mistaken. May write another one about it just for fun.Ella Shawhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15379522083602755280noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4489565303994499222.post-1211024682494321922013-03-31T20:23:49.679+01:002013-03-31T20:23:49.679+01:00Where in that post does it call you stupid? It'...Where in that post does it call you stupid? It's says its a stupid thing to write. Calling them naive? What's naive is trying to get a "surprised" reaction from your readers that basically says that Ambulance worker disagrees with push for pay rise. I agree that times are hard for a lot of people but as you said yourself, a manager at McDonald's gets more than a paramedic! <br />I personally agree with the comment. This is a silly thing to write about and should be deleted. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4489565303994499222.post-68316653572153736922013-03-31T19:56:00.555+01:002013-03-31T19:56:00.555+01:00Are you that naive that you think paramedics are t...Are you that naive that you think paramedics are the only ones feeling the pinch? Do you really think an e-petition is the way to get change in salaries. There is no money. Call me stupid all you like but that's a fact. Where is this extra money coming from? I didn't say I was happy with the change in T & CS but every profession is experiencing the same problem. E-petitions are there for the public to have a voice about policy that effects this country, not for a tiny percentage of the population who are earning £10,000 above the national average to petition a badly written rant about wanting more money. Yes we deserve more for the role we have but this is NOT the time or the place to ask for it. Your family better learn to like that reality or lump it.Ella Shawhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15379522083602755280noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4489565303994499222.post-46709375253187127542013-03-31T19:01:04.816+01:002013-03-31T19:01:04.816+01:00What an utterly stupid thing to write! Yes we knew...What an utterly stupid thing to write! Yes we knew the salary when we joined, but we didn't know they'd cut our USHs, CSD and constantly mess around with our T&Cs. <br /><br />With yet another year of increased petrol prices, household fuel and water bills and the very real problem of having to try to sell my home for a price that's now nearly 40 grand under what I paid for it.<br />Why don't you try and convince my family that this is "not the time, nor the place?"Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4489565303994499222.post-25661563356417761162013-03-31T16:53:38.810+01:002013-03-31T16:53:38.810+01:00I think there is the money - every welfare/public ...I think there is the money - every welfare/public spending cut has been matched with a tax break for ppl who are currently doing better than most, and much of the spending increases we ARE seeing are on PFI and financing costs, but I take your point completely. There are a lot of wrongs to be righted, but start with the economy generally before looking at individuals within it. Any flames you receive are prob from ppl who read it through too quickly.<br /><br />Well said. <br /><br />Drinky.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com