Post strike

Image from Beau Bo D'or
So, postman pat and his militant mates want to indulge in a spot of 1970's working practices by going on strike. Now, usually this would be a post which would focus on the vicissitudes of my Bursary arriving by post and that my bank card has developed a large dent in the chip. Which has caused it to stop working my delay which will be caused by the strike. Then however I began reading into the strike a bit more. Now, anyone who is told that there is the loss of 40000 jobs expects would be every bit right to feel upset and get a bit riled about it. What I have to find very amusing is some of the figures which are getting quoted. Lets start with the wage that the post people (PC culture: Is shit isn't it) are on. Now, I am not an expert on the personal specification for a post person. I am guessing though however that you have not had to go to university to be a post person, or have spent 2 years in college taking relevant A levels or a City and Guilds course. So, basically, you are taking about a job which a school leaver can do. No, wait a moment. Lets be specific here, your doing the job which an 11 year old with a paper round does, except for a bigger area. With the notable and noble exception of the 14 year old surgeon from India, most people in the NHS are highly qualified professionals. Even the support staff have to attend university and college to take their NVQ's. So, I was taken aback when the figure for a postal worker was revealed to be [drum role here]...£17000 per year.

Oh. Now, I was on £12500 when working as a manager. I know health support staff get about £13000. Newly qualified staff nurses get £19500. So, I am sorry, but you lazy lot can damn well wake up, and join the rest of the 21st century. I mean, I will get only £2500 per year more then you:- £208.34p per month before tax. Now, lets just think here for a moment. You left school, probably never went to college, you have not had to go through the grueling 3 years of university and have to have the responsibility for patients lives on your neck, or be accountable for treatment given, liaise with relatives, and have several statutory acts of Parliament governing what you do in your day to day job. Nor have at each of these stages had to out do your peers to be selected for a place. So, in real terms, £17000 is very, very good money for somebody in an "unqualified" job.

Now, this being said, I would like to examine some of the quotes coming from the postal workers and apply them to nursing
"We have to get up early"
So what? I am up at 5am tomorrow to be away for a 12 hour shift. My bus driver will have been up equally early to take the bus out. Let's not forget here Nurses have to work nights. But then again, we appreciate many other people work nights. So what? Just deliver later if you want a lie-in as anybody who works usually has left before the post, and anyone who is off is probably asleep for a few hours longer anyway.

"We have to work over 30 hours"
FFS! I have to do 34.5 hours and I am an effin' student! Perhaps the old Junior doctors who did 100 hour weeks will feel sympathy for you? Maybe the old me who worked 10 days of anywhere between 10-13 hours solid will be bothered.

"Staff are kept behind even when all the work is done!"
Oh for gods sake, visit any ward 15 minutes before handover!

"In effect, the wage rise demanded is 27% while the current offer is 6.9% over 2 years".
Nurses got 1.9%. What the hell are you wanting? You do realise that at the current rate, you lot would get £24000 while nurses would get £20000? I am sorry posties, but there is no way in hell are you lot worth more then £20000. And IF you do not like your current set up, I suggest you look for other jobs which you would be a valid candidate for. And when you realise you would be very, very, very luck to get over £14000 in it, I suggest you get back to work, and let the rest of us NHS types moan about the state of our job. Otherwise WE may go on strike...and then everyone will have something to actually worry about.