There's more to socialism than paying your £4.17 per month . . .

[DRiddle]

Interesting news leaking out of HBC's Labour Group this week.

One of the things that has always rankled with me, and i suspect many others who view this forum, is the long held belief that SOME of the local Labour group who CLAIM to be socialists . . . aren't.

Yes they might pay their Labour membership fees and/or their UNISON subs, but aside from that, they simply don't live up to the values and virtues which go with the 'i'm a socialist' claim.

There are many, MANY examples of behavior with in no way goes hand in hand with socialist values over the last 5 years or more which have been witnessed within HBC.

However, this week may have exceeded everything i have seen or heard over that period.

Before i go on i'm just going to post two hyperlinks.

This one below shows Jeremy Corbyns public support for the teaching assistants of Durham when they were faced with what was tantamount to a 23% pay cut which the Labour controlled council was looking to impose via 'sack and re-hire' re-engagement tactic.

https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/get-sorted-jeremy-corbyn-supports-11592486

The second link below from from the UNISON website. One of UNISON's biggest workloads in recent years has been fending off attempts at re-engagement by organisations and businesses. (Re-engagement in a nutshell being the process of sacking people then immediately re-hiring the very same people on less wages).

https://www.unison.org.uk/content/uploads/2013/06/Briefings-and-CircularsTackling-Dismissal-and-Re-engagement-Strategies-Factsheet-ver-12.pdf

So, given we have the most overtly socialist Labour leader for generations speaking out against re-engagement as well as UNISON literally fighting with everything they've got to try and stop it, you'd imagine re-engagement would be something not even the most Blairite of Labours councillors would offer up as an idea.

You'd IMAGINE that. . . wouldn't you?

But then like i said at the beginning of this post, myself and others have always been of the opinion that certain members of the current Labour group aren't socialists.

[Lucy Lass-Tick]

Pray tell ...

[Owen Jones]

Come on Riddler stop teasing us    Spill the beans

[fred c]

I have never hidden my thoughts on the council tax payers paying for a 'full time unison official'...especially when he was the chairman of the HCLP.....

I struggle to understand why council officers have abandoned HBC on a regular basis, could it be that a number of officers have been placed under undue pressure and thought........ B****x I don't need this, i'm off to pastures new.

You would suppose that at the very least the CEO and the full time official would support the officers fully in dealing with the "This is Not Good Enough" mantra from the usual councillor suspects.....obviously not.

So what effect on the staff morale will the prospect of being paid off by HBC.....Only to be re-employed to do the self same job on a much lesser wage, If it were me I know what my attitude would be and it wouldn't be a positive one......At the very least I would expect the full support of my union, work colleagues and labour councillors.........Unfortunately, I suspect the support of socialist councillors (at least some of them) to be conspicuous by its absence.

I have heard a whisper (a loud whisper) that this particular brand of socialism is being proposed by a current councillor, who incidentally is sponsored by a trade and who hasn't had a proper job for years is proposing this as an answer to HBC cash problems.

Who you may ask would have the lack of intellect to think of proposing such a pisspotical course of action......I couldn't possibly say..........However a pointer to such a half wit would lead you the Flags on the Flagpoles at the Domes being a Danger to Shipping.

[Lord Elpus]

It is alleged there has been a suggestion made by MadDog to pay off all council staff then restart on a significantly reduced pay rate.  Personally I think it's just the sort of thing that woman would suggest.

[kevplumb]

the same lot that awarded themselves 31% rise

are now proposing that the foot soldiers who are tasked to try and implement their p*ss pot schemes take a cut  her nickname suits her 

she is off her trolley

[Lucy Lass-Tick]

the same lot that awarded themselves 31% rise

are now proposing that the foot soldiers who are tasked to try and implement their p*ss pot schemes take a cut  her nickname suits her 

she is off her trolley

Barking? 

[fred c]

I occasionally bump into HBC employees, from street sweepers and bin men to office staff and officers.... I often have a bit of craic with them and pose the odd question to them, the officers standard response is usually " I couldn't possibly comment" almost always accompanied by a wry smile.

The 'shop floor employee's' usually offer more explicit answers, mostly in a negative context and ranging from.... I can't wait to retire, i've had enough of the s**t, I wish I could get another job paying similar wages, I f***ing hate the place, Who do some (use your imagination) of the councillors think they are, they speak to us like s**t.

Is it any wonder the morale of council employees is at rock bottom......

[Johnny Bongo]

Here's an crazy idea...and I haven't even had a sniff of wine yet......why don't they 'sack' all the councillors...then re-hire them on a much lower wage/ allowance? Better still, get rid of the CEO, Gil Alexander and save HBC a ton of cash!  Btw, did someone work out just how much the 31% rise  actually cost HBC and us, the CT payers?  Whatever the amount is, it would pay for something useful rather than paying for some 'things' useless, as it is now! 

[jeffh]

Here's an crazy idea...and I haven't even had a sniff of wine yet......why don't they 'sack' all the councillors...then re-hire them on a much lower wage/ allowance? Better still, get rid of the CEO, Gil Alexander and save HBC a ton of cash!  Btw, did someone work out just how much the 31% rise  actually cost HBC and us, the CT payers?  Whatever the amount is, it would pay for something useful rather than paying for some 'things' useless, as it is now!

I believe the cost was £75,000 / year - so to put it into context they approved a recurring charge knowing that we were in debt.  Let's not forget they are also  trying to approve 3 more councillors - that's another £23,000 / year.
I believe Dave Hunter refused his allowance rise, so if he comes to power do we think he will expect his colleagues to follow suit?

[Hartlepudlion]

And don't forget the £2500 each Cllr receives as a Ward Budget.

And expenses.

And Free refreshments in their lounge.

And free parking in the underground at the Civic.

And free rail tickets.

And gold medals.

And a Civic car..

[Inspector Knacker]

I once had a casual conversation with a senior council figure about ten years ago and was surprised when she casually stated she saw the future of all councils, as massively reduced bodies with all services contracted out and the only work would be supervising contract compliance. It's making sense now, but ironically it was a Labour council.

[Heknocks68]

I occasionally bump into HBC employees, from street sweepers and bin men to office staff and officers.... I often have a bit of craic with them and pose the odd question to them, the officers standard response is usually " I couldn't possibly comment" almost always accompanied by a wry smile.

The 'shop floor employee's' usually offer more explicit answers, mostly in a negative context and ranging from.... I can't wait to retire, i've had enough of the s**t, I wish I could get another job paying similar wages, I f***ing hate the place, Who do some (use your imagination) of the councillors think they are, they speak to us like s**t.

Is it any wonder the morale of council employees is at rock bottom......

From what I hear , morale is not that high.

[DRiddle]

Just to hopefully pour a little bit of COLD water on this, i was also told that the person who raised the 'idea' of re-engagement was quickly shot down by Councillors who reminded him/her which political party he/she is a member of.

What i do know though is this. HBC employs about 4,000 people in one form or another. It's the biggest employer in Hartlepool. There are hundreds, thousands more who rely on HBC being effective in order for them to win contracts and business from the council.

What we have seen for 5 years is a largely shambolic, very ineffective council, which, in my opinion, has wasted millions.

https://www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/news/hartlepool-councillor-claims-authority-has-wasted-millions-1-7720716

Eventually, wastage and incompetence like this catches up with you. In all likelihood it will be the officers and staff at lower levels in the pecking order who will carry the can for the incompetence of those at the top.

As a kid i remember my granddad always voted Labour. When i asked him about it he always said "It's because of my job, I have to". He was a council joiner.

Fast forward 30 years and if i was a council employee NOW, i imagine many of the 4,000+ council employees will be looking at the current situation and voting AGAINST Labour for the very same reason my granddad used to vote FOR them.

Because of their jobs.

The current Labour administration will bankrupt the council. Mark my words. 

A section 114 notice is VERY likely.

[Veritas]

Mad dog should think back to moss, he only "mooted" the idea and became unelectable.
The council staff showed him, (and his party) they would not put up with it. A step too far.