One rule for them, another for us

Driving to my place of employment as a PAYE worker, I listened as RTÉ’s Morning Ireland related yet another story of fellow PAYE workers seeking to hold on to some aspect of their diminishing employment conditions.

In this case a SIPTU representative justifying staff at Shannon Airport’s decision to strike on foot of a unilateral decision by bosses to alter their defined, secure pension plan to a riskier non-defined one.

This discussion came hot on the heels of a previous discussion surrounding the controversial remuneration package for Rehab CEO Angela Kerins which totals a whopping €272,000 per annum.

This package, at a rate well in excess of, for example, the Taoiseach’s and described by Rehab chairman Brian Kerr as “competitive and fair”, factors in an employer contribution of €14,400 in to Ms Kerins’ clearly defined pension scheme. No risk or uncertainty for Ms Kerins.

These type of disheartening news stories have become a daily occurrence and are symptomatic of how the wealthy, privileged and influential have incrementally divided and carved up society in their own interest.

As a result we have compromised, eunach unions and consequent depleted conditions, diminished pensions and benefits for many on an average wage.

All this occurs in tandem with massive salaries and bonuses for an elite who feel they have some divine right to this status as they cream off their “rewards” from the comfort of their own societal bubble.

Now, I’m not a dyed-in-the-wool Socialist who believes that remuneration right across society should be set at equal rates for all, however, it seems to me that the differing levels of wages and conditions have polarised grossly and have become disconnected completely from decency and fair play.

JD Mangan

Stillorgan

Co Dublin