Remember when

[CaptainK]

Any section of society or business that starts to earn 'proper' money is at high risk of 'beancounters' stopping things in favour of employing/using alternative employees or sources and getting rid of high earners/minimising commissions/bonuses/disadvantageous terms and conditions.

Working in the public sector I've seen that happen previously on average every 4 years. Ritual sackings, get rid of all the good (but high paid) people that know all the IT systems, dump the excess work on the remainder low level staff who are then massively acting up without the actual pay grade. So far over the years I've been so far down the pay grades that they don't bother with the low level scum like me (except to dump more responsibilities on when they sack the good people).

Naturally in the recent political climate, they've stepped up the ritual sackings to be every year now, and of course sacking more people.

 

[Chuffer]

Working in the public sector I've seen that happen previously on average every 4 years. Ritual sackings, get rid of all the good (but high paid) people that know all the IT systems, dump the excess work on the remainder low level staff who are then massively acting up without the actual pay grade. So far over the years I've been so far down the pay grades that they don't bother with the low level scum like me (except to dump more responsibilities on when they sack the good people).

Naturally in the recent political climate, they've stepped up the ritual sackings to be every year now, and of course sacking more people.

I worked for 38 years in one form of public sector engineers department or another : NHS / Water Authority / County Council and re organisation every 5 max was a given . It gave the powers that be the opportunity to gloss over their cock ups and then blame it on the previous administration . Every time it invariably involved adding more chiefs and reducing indians . When Voluntary Redundancy came around at yet another `shake up` I jumped at the chance and retired early on full pension as I qualified after 38 years . A no brainer and the best days work I ever did !!

 

[Roscobbc]

I worked for 38 years in one form of public sector engineers department or another : NHS / Water Authority / County Council and re organisation every 5 max was a given . It gave the powers that be the opportunity to gloss over their cock ups and then blame it on the previous administration . Every time it invariably involved adding more chiefs and reducing indians . When Voluntary Redundancy came around at yet another `shake up` I jumped at the chance and retired early on full pension as I qualified after 38 years . A no brainer and the best days work I ever did !!

And don't we see the same mindset with succesive governments - delaying and 'sitting-on' matters of significant national importance (like energy production, major rail networks, etc, etc) knowing if they 'deal' with the topic they get voted-out come next election. Then of course we'll see the 'mindset' like the previous Tory government who will want to 'loose' an election and allow the next mob (in this case Labour) to deal with issues left and allowing 4 years to 're-group' if they want to return to power. So we then get a situation where Nuclear power generation would have been the logic alternative.........but delayed by succesive governments for 20 years or more, allowing foreign companies to 'buy-in' to our national utility production.

 

[Chuffer]

And don't we see the same mindset with succesive governments - delaying and 'sitting-on' matters of significant national importance (like energy production, major rail networks, etc, etc) knowing if they 'deal' with the topic they get voted-out come next election. Then of course we'll see the 'mindset' like the previous Tory government who will want to 'loose' an election and allow the next mob (in this case Labour) to deal with issues left and allowing 4 years to 're-group' if they want to return to power. So we then get a situation where Nuclear power generation would have been the logic alternative.........but delayed by succesive governments for 20 years or more, allowing foreign companies to 'buy-in' to our national utility production.

Nail well and truly hit on the head Ross.

 

[Roscobbc]

Nail well and truly hit on the head Ross.

Perhaps Trump's team have considered the historical 'rise and fall of the Roman empire" and successive dominant nations (including the UK's similar 'fall' during the last century) and decided on some heavy duty protectionism for the USA to try maintain it's world dominance against other 'rising' nations (especially against China's economy which looks stronger every year)

 

[Chuffer]

Perhaps Trump's team have considered the historical 'rise and fall of the Roman empire" and successive dominant nations (including the UK's similar 'fall' during the last century) and decided on some heavy duty protectionism for the USA to try maintain it's world dominance against other 'rising' nations (especially against China's economy which looks stronger every year)

China`s economy is beginning to struggle , there is a rise in unemployment and in house consumer confidence is falling . Trumps tarrifs will only make it worse for them even though he is treating them lighter than all other counties . He`s sucking up to them the same as he is to Putin .

 

[Roscobbc]

China`s economy is beginning to struggle , there is a rise in unemployment and in house consumer confidence is falling . Trumps tarrifs will only make it worse for them even though he is treating them lighter than all other counties . He`s sucking up to them the same as he is to Putin .

I am I the only one to notice the numbers of Chinese manufactured cars being marketed (generally on social media). Given that most European manufactured cars have significantly escalated in price over the last few years it seems that 'budget' priced brands like Kia and Hyundai (once a good lower cost alternative to leading European cars) are now on an equal footing pricewise with European alternatives.
With the least expensive small city car now being a Hyundai at £15/16K (or perhaps a Dacia) theres not such thing as a resonably price car anymore.......and of course when people compare the typical £30K+ cost of a mid-range Chinese vehicle against the £40K+ asked for a European alternative it makes the Chinese import seem cheap..........(but it ain't!) - someone, somewhere here in UK is making a nice fat profit.....especially when one considers the UK doesn't apply import tariffs to Chinese cars (unlike 99% of all other countries in the world)

 

[Chuffer]

No such thing as a cheap and cheerful Oriental car anymore . The days of derisory comments about tacky rot boxes has long since gone . Kia make some great cars and I have friends who are very impressed with them , especially the higher spec models . I think the Stinger is a belter of a car , good looks and performance to match . Quite fancy one myself .

 

[Nassau65]

My friends Kia sportage was a fantastic car for him, in six years only had a minor problem with the wipers which they fixed while he had coffee and doughnuts in their showroom.

 

[Chuffer]

My friends Kia sportage was a fantastic car for him, in six years only had a minor problem with the wipers which they fixed while he had coffee and doughnuts in their showroom.

I think I will buy a Kia Stinger afterall just for the coffee and doughnuts !

 

[Roscobbc]

Our own Rich Rogers has a Stinger for a daily driver........

 

[Chuffer]

Our own Rich Rogers has a Stinger for a daily driver........

I do believe that is so . Does he get lots of coffee and doughnuts too ?

 

[Nassau65]

I do believe that is so . Does he get lots of coffee and doughnuts too ?

He does if it goes wrong

 

[CaptainK]

Every time it invariably involved adding more chiefs and reducing indians . When Voluntary Redundancy came around at yet another `shake up` I jumped at the chance and retired early on full pension as I qualified after 38 years . A no brainer and the best days work I ever did !!

You are spot on about chiefs and indians.

And also about the voluntary redundancy. I know lots of people who also jumped at the chance of it and retiring early. Sadly, I'm miles away from retirement age (my state pension age being 68). But you can rest assured that if there is a voluntary redundancy available when I'm around age 60 then I'll probably take it.

 

[Chuffer]

You are spot on about chiefs and indians.

And also about the voluntary redundancy. I know lots of people who also jumped at the chance of it and retiring early. Sadly, I'm miles away from retirement age (my state pension age being 68). But you can rest assured that if there is a voluntary redundancy available when I'm around age 60 then I'll probably take it.

That was me , 60th birthday 23rd October 2011 and was out of the door , gone for good with a smile on face and a spring in my step . No more stress , grief , hassle , 24 hour emergency on call and bosses that couldn`t find their arses with both hands in a dark room . Invested some of my severance package on the Corvette . Happy days ! and lots more time to play with steam locos . What`s not to like ??

 

[Roscobbc]

Mine was during the tail end of the COVID issue....at 71 and already past the once statutory retirement age I would have still continued working but when our chairman decided to retire at 75 it was the 'spur' for the younger management to present me with a 'fait accompli'......take 'advantage' of voluntary redundancy or they would offer it to other staff. The wind was blowing quite strongly in a certain direction.......and I was off
!

 

[Chuffer]

The first day of retirement was a revelation . I got up at my usual time in the morning and being a glorious autumn day I donned my walking boots and set off for a long walk across the fields that we overlook following the network of footpaths and bridleways that criss cross my local area . I wore no watch , left the mobile phone behind and relished the prospect of no more clock watching , deadlines to meet , meetings to attend or contractors on site that needed my supervision . Absolute bliss !!

 

[Roscobbc]

The first day of retirement was a revelation . I got up at my usual time in the morning and being a glorious autumn day I donned my walking boots and set off for a long walk across the fields that we overlook following the network of footpaths and bridleways that criss cross my local area . I wore no watch , left the mobile phone behind and relished the prospect of no more clock watching , deadlines to meet , meetings to attend or contractors on site that needed my supervision . Absolute bliss !!

Yes a fantastic 'release' of having to deal with 'management' and others further 'up' the corporate tree (and all so often further up their respective sphincters). Its like so many things that you tend to accept and get very used as being the general 'status quo'.
When 'it' is not 'there' any more you think back and wonder how you ever managed to have patience to deal with all the corporate AH's.
I do however miss the interaction with customers.....who, generally you can pick and choose.

 

[Nassau65]

Remember when cars were BIG. Most people think that the late 50’s cars were the largest made, but it was in fact the 70’s that were the longest.
Always loved the MK1V Lincoln’s
What a ride.

 

[Chuffer]

Oh yes ! There is something a bit special about a huge Yank barge . Brings back memories of all those 70`s American movies and TV series . Remember Frank Canon wafting about in his very 70`s brown luxo barge ?