No reforms but 'benchmarking ATM' still delivering [Independent.ie]
- Published: 15 December 2010
THE benchmarking 'ATM machine' continues to deliver the cash, almost a decade after the controversial report that was supposed to balance public and private sector pay and achieve major reform in the delivery of services in return.
Senator Joe O'Toole told primary teachers' union activists that getting an increase from the benchmarking body was the equivalent of walking up to an ATM machine.
At the time, the INTO leader was rubbishing the attempt of the secondary teachers union, ASTI, to achieve a catch-up pay rise of 30pc outside of benchmarking. But the phrase summed up the view of the public sector of the benchmarking exercise as a means merely to get a wage rise -- not fundamental changes of work practices.
The benchmarking awards were supposed to be made in return for major reforms.
The programme provided wage increases of an average of 9pc in 2002, costing the taxpayer €1.1bn per annum.
It wasn't a once-off payment. It was a permanent increase.
But the individual reform plans were so watery, they showed contempt for the taxpayers' outlay.
Full Story: www.independent.ie
