Public service strikes

Sir, – I am in my 80s and have been a trade union activist all of my working life and a former branch secretary/organiser with Siptu. I am dictating this letter to my son from my bed in Beaumont Hospital, as unfortunately I recently suffered a stroke.

I fully support the action taken by the public service unions, as I believe does the vast amount of the population. From my hospital bed I have observed public service workers as they go about their work. I have observed doctors, nurses, radiologists etc, some of whom are from foreign countries, working 13-hour shifts.

Without these public service workers the whole hospital service would collapse. Likewise, we are reliant on emergency services such as the fire brigade to, for example, attend to the scene of road incidents and heroically deal with traumatic injuries to those involved.

Add to this, among its many functions, the public service delivers clean streets, parks and amenities, social housing and helps to develop our communities.

And what would we do without our teachers? They take our children and teach them subjects ranging from science, maths, Irish and history. In some cases, these students go on to receive third level education and become our doctors, nurses, scientists and leaders in the world of commerce.

Indeed, as a result of our education system, Ireland has become respected throughout the world for our many medal-winning sportsmen and women, writers, tradesmen, Oscar-winning actors, journalists, directors and business leaders. Of course, our teachers have also taught the current Taoiseach, Tánaiste and Minister for Public Expenditure.

I would recommend that both private and public sector workers, particularly those on low pay, show solidarity with each other and join a union to improve their pay and conditions. Unions serve workers in all professions.

To finish, should the strike go ahead next week, I would proudly join the picket line with the hospital staff ... with my doctor’s approval, of course. – Yours, etc,

DES HUGHES,

Donaghmede,

Dublin 13.

Sir, – I am a teacher. Each time we strike I lose a day’s pay. It’s about 3.75 per cent of my gross monthly pay. If strikes continue monthly, then any eventual tiered rise in teacher pay will cost the Government nothing this year.

Each time we strike, the State saves about €15-€20 million (gross) from teachers’ salaries. We all look forward to seeing this money re-entering the system to improve the dire facilities many schools have to put up with.

I suspect, however, we will wait even longer for this to happen than for a pay rise. – Yours, etc,

MATTHEW HARRISON,

Galway.