Having read the comments by Rory Malone of Unison, it appears that he has made his mind up there will be a strike. He complains that 2.5% is not a big enough increase to cover inflation.
His salary and the salary of most of his members must be far more than some pensioners receive but they cannot hold the authorities to ransom by striking.
Surely, during the present economic climate, they would earn much more support from the public if they would settle for what is offered until the economy improves?
Most union members listen to what the officials say so surely a little common sense would not go amiss.
Let’s face it, there can’t be many of his members on the breadline. — B. C., Monifieth.
Degree is hindrance
What’s the point in going to university?
I completed an honours degree in 2007. Since then I have applied for many full-time jobs — UK wide, without any success. This year I decided to go back to university to study a post-graduate course, so have been looking for part-time work in Dundee.
It seems now as soon as employers see the degree on your CV they will not employ you.
I never found it hard to find a part-time job before my degree.
It’s not just those without qualifications who get satisfaction out of working to earn money. — Willing Workers.
School leavers
Regarding the letter on making children stay in school. In the 21st century, education has to keep pace with changing demands.
Education is evolving and has to reflect what is going on in our society.
This will involve a lot more than simply moving the leaving age. It is a complex situation, with no quick solutions.
Letting people leave school younger is one thing but do we really want Scotland left as a source of juvenile factory fodder? — Tiggy Butchers.
Car park charges
Can Shona Robison explain why £10 million is supposedly a “prohibitive” cost that prevents the SNP from scrapping car parking charges at Ninewells Hospital, Dundee, but that the much larger sum of £17 million wasn’t a “prohibitive” cost for the SNP when the tolls over the Tay Road Bridge were scrapped? — Astonished.
Radio blues
I agree with the views of Dundee Reader about Radio 2.
Jimmy Young’s programme was always topical and funny. Now we have Jeremy Vine, a purveyor of depression. Sir Terry Wogan is good, with clear diction, humour and good music, but even here I notice the little girl/boy bands becoming more evident. — Jist Wondering.
Call for end to denominational education
Referring to Phil Welsh’s letter concerning bigotry and the division of Scottish schools, I am in support of calls for all denominational schools to be abolished.
The Church should have no influence over the way our kids are educated.
Our children need to have proper, unbiased guidance so as to deal with each problem correctly.
I’m not for religion being binned from the syllabus. I believe that school children should learn about all the main religions, in a subject that perhaps should be called Cultural Education as opposed to Religious Education.
We live in a multi-cultural society with people of all creeds and in a time when suspicion of others is on the increase. If perhaps people knew the truths about the various religions and were educated to dispel the myths, maybe we could live in peace! — Fea.
Dog almost strangled
When reading about the freak accident in Brighton, where a woman’s puppy was strangled to death by its lead after getting out of the lift while the woman was still inside, brought back horrific memories to me.
I had entered the lift in a six-storey housing complex at the ground floor. As I selected the fifth floor, my Spaniel, who was on an extending lead, casually walked out just as the doors were closing.
I could do nothing and, as the lift started to move upwards, I frantically started pressing every button. The lift kept moving and what was only seconds seemed like hours. The lead snapped at about the 4th floor. By this time I was yelling and deeply distressed. No-one was around and I ran down to the bottom of the stairs screaming thinking my dog would be lying somewhere with a broken neck and dead. Thankfully, there he was sitting down on the ground floor whimpering.
I will never know what he went through except that he must have gotten a terrible wrenching of his neck. He turned out OK, although clearly distressed. I took many hours to get over it.
What happened to this woman is horrible. In my case all I can say is thankfully the lead broke. So a word of advice to anybody taking their dog in a lift — hang on tight or better still, don’t take it at all. Needless to say, I haven’t been in a lift since with my dog and even then only use one myself when absolutely essential. — Lift-phobic, Dundee.
Classical music appeal
Do you like classical music and the company of other like-minded people?
A recorded music society might just be the thing for you. The aim is to encourage people to listen to classical music, bringing together those who share this interest.
Meetings are relaxed and informal. Anyone wishing to come along to a meeting to find out more will be made very welcome.
Programmes take the form of musically-illustrated talks, given by the society’s own members, speakers from other societies and prominent figures in the local musical scene. Care is taken to ensure that a wide variety of music to suit all tastes is covered throughout each season.
There are four societies in this area, at Dundee, Carnoustie, Kirkcaldy and Dunfermline. Each society has its programme for the 2008-2009 season available now.
For information about your local recorded music society, contact me on 01241 853017 (evenings) or email frmsregen@hotmail.com — John Maidment.
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