New Croke Park Agreement would choke a boa constrictor - Mythen

Cllr Johnny Mythen has lambasted the new Croke Park Agreement saying that the premise of the deal would choke a boa constrictor never mind a public sector worker who earns €35,000 per annum or less.  The Sinn Féin rep said that the government should have cut the 1008 unelected quangos instead of going after average paid public sector workers.

Cllr Mythen said;

"Swallow hard and vote for the new deal. We promise we won't be coming back for more. On examining the new Croke Park agreement Minister Howlin's words are very true. The government wouldn't have to come back for more because simply there would be nothing left to take.  Not forgetting  the new property tax and the new water tax that will be extracted voluntary or forcefully from wages also."

"This premise however when examined would choke a boa constrictor, never mind a public sector worker who earns €35,000 or less per annum.  Staff working 35 hrs. go to 37hrs.  Staff working over 35 hrs. go to 39hrs.  Workers working over 39hrs per week will provide one hours overtime ex Gratia.  Sunday O/T rates will drop to one and three quarters, while shift workers will see their one and a sixth rate disappear altogether.  This on top of a freeze on increments ranging from three months to three years.  Even to make things more unpalatable there are built in revisions of flexi- time, redeployment and re-structuring grades."

"How many times do we have to say it austerity isn't working.  People are already under financial strain.  Again the first casualty will be the average €35,000 workers, followed by the domestic economy.  I would like to ask the Government if they really want to cut the "fat", how about the quangos?  Mostly politically appointed , and over 1008 of them .e.g. the commissioner of aviation regulation is  paid 195K (including pension).  Now there's a thought."