Union bosses hold country to ransom

GIVEN the appalling state of the economy, our democratically-elected Government had no alternative but to impose the most severe restrictions on public expenditure.

No one likes this but we must all comply – that is the law – and we can expect more of the same in future budgets until such time as we rid ourselves of the enormous debt burden.

Otherwise our economy could decline to that of a banana republic

In these dire circumstances, is it not unpatriotic, irrational and irresponsible of trade union leaders – with their huge pensionable salaries and perks – to hold our country to ransom by endeavouring to disrupt all public services unless the Government reverses the very kernel of the budget last December?

Why should this elite be allowed to disrupt vital services to every citizen, even those who are still fortunate enough to find or keep any kind of job in the private sector, not to mention more than 400,000 unfortunate people struggling to survive on the dole. The public service comrades should realise Marx, Engels and Trotsky promulgated a similarly disruptive ideology that only resulted in the enslavement of millions before finally ending up in the dustbin of history.

These zealots would be well advised to support our hard-won democratic system, from which they benefit so handsomely, rather than embark on a campaign that can only jeopardise it.

Edwin Cussen

Wilton House

Wilton Avenue

Bishopstown

Cork