Carlisle News & Star: Letters: Striking workers benefit at others’ expense

THERE can have been little sympathy for the council workers carrying out their two-day strike this week.n THE news that many local authority workers were to strike in the hope of increasing their pay offer is not unexpected.

Across the nation, private sector workers are facing the grim prospect of unemployment, reduced hours, and pay freezes, as they simultaneously witness their pensions being decimated by the current stock market meltdown. Compare this with the millions of state employees who enjoy unparalleled security of employment, excellent working conditions, generous paid sick-leave allowances and diamond encrusted pensions benefits.

Under this rapacious Labour Government, public sector spending has almost double to near £600 billion per annum and much of this is being squandered on employing battalions of bureaucrats, ill-conceived spending initiatives and unjustified pay awards.

The harsh reality is that all state workers are an economic burden on society because governments have no money; wealth creation is entirely from private sector enterprises and this provides the tax revenue for all public sector services.

Unison and Unite trade unions have made much of the plight of low-paid workers in justifying this strike action.

There are, however, millions of private sector employees, working in the retail, catering and services sectors that are paid a pittance and without union representation or protection.

Many of the striking council workers are very well-paid office staff who are, frankly, living in a land of make believe.

We are in desperate need of a new government to address the sheer scale of public sector spending. Maybe then all of our taxes can be reduced and living standards improved.

Visit the Taxpayers Alliance website for an indication of how Gordon Brown can squander the money he has pilfered from hard-working British taxpayers.

DEAN RAINS

Carlisle