Unions on wrong track

WHAT part of “we are banjaxed” do the unions not understand? What do they think a strike will achieve?

A Government backdown? Hardly. There is no money to pay their members — it is as simple as that. This is unfortunate, but it is also unfortunate that public sector workers are paid up to, if not more than, 20% above their private sector counterparts. Now crunch time is here.

If the unions want to achieve some good they should focus their energies, and the energies of their members, on those profiteering corporations charging extortionate prices to Irish consumers compared to elsewhere in Europe. That is where the focus needs to be. Only there can their losses be made good.

There is no benefit to be had by going on strike, and in fact it would serve only to lower Ireland’s international standing even further. We are on the brink of becoming the definitive banana republic; it is to be hoped the unions do not take the decisive step forward.

John Stafford

Dargle Wood

Knocklyon

Dublin 16