How much are you worth?

Don H · Joined: 05 Aug 2007 Posts: 187

Most of us are valued by our occupation in life, and our monetary status
accordingly. Thus, in a plutocratic society, where morality can be assessed
by wealth. The rich are, ipso facto, the virtuous, and if you are poor it
is probably your own fault.
All perfectly logical in a USA health system, as Michael Moore's latest
movie demonstrates. Let other nations opt for, shudder, "socialised
medicine".
So, if Victorian teachers put in a 30% wage claim (an ambit claim?), and
police want more than offered, should such be granted, or is self-assessment
no recommendation?
Even our politicians, who once voted themselves (unanimously, of course)
periodic wage increases, now go by an independent (?) remuneration board.
Who is to assess the relative merits of claims? Is a garbage collector
inferior to an MP in entitlement? No? - until rubbish starts to pile up in
the street.
Does a CEO of a major corporation "earn" his money, as distinct from
being "paid" such a whopping amount?
Is it right and just that the individual employee should have wages and
conditions cut, so that "his" firm should make a greater profit? - to
compete with rival firms, or go under?
Yes, all this is not easy to resolve, which is why the pros and cons
need as much debate as possible.
Certainly, a Basic Wage seems the minimal requirement; then a loading
depending on Skill and Training. Likewise, the necessity for working
Overtime, and on Holidays, etc, warrants extra pay. None of which should be
traded away for a one-off monetary "compensation".
Are some professions or trades more "vital' to the community than others?
Is comparison with Other States a valid argument? Or should all citizens
have a nation-wide Award or Agreement for their particular occupation?
What of Charity Workers, ie. volunteers who act for no financial gain -
except a possible gong from the Queen, 20 years later?
"Work Choices"? If desperate for a job, with wife and kids to support, a
large mortgage or rent, bank card debt, etc - what "choice" do you have?
Award, AWA, or CA? OK, if no coercion is involved?
"The best things in life" may be free, but the second best can be darned
expensive.

Archived from group: aus>education

Troy Cox · Joined: 16 Aug 2007 Posts: 1

It's not entirely clear to me what point you're making here, Don,
except for this: salary is difficult to gauge. It's difficult to gauge
when comparing occupations, and the relative value between two
employees in the same occupation. But that's life, we have to accept
it, and move on.

Don H · Joined: 05 Aug 2007 Posts: 187

"Troy Cox" wrote in message@i38g2000prf.googlegroups.com...
> It's not entirely clear to me what point you're making here, Don,
> except for this: salary is difficult to gauge. It's difficult to gauge
> when comparing occupations, and the relative value between two
> employees in the same occupation. But that's life, we have to accept
> it, and move on.
>
# I suppose one main point I'm trying to make is - that, while wage claims
are alright in one respect, they tend to be futile in the long run if it
only causes prices to increase, ie fuels inflation; hence you are back where
you started. Unless there is also Price Control? But then I advocate
Industrial Democracy, and Co-operation in lieu of Competition.
The Communists had the motto of:' "From each according to his ability; to
each according to his need." - but modified this to - "...according to his
work." (Lest it encourage bludgers?)
Latest news is that the authorities are casualising Australia Post's
erstwhile permanent delivery staff - so as to reduce wages? Yes, you can
increase profits, and minimise wages, but eventually you end up with a
Depression, as purchasing power of the masses is reduced, and the
supply-and-demand cycle grinds to a halt. Increasing the population, so you
get more workers fighting each other for the scraps; plus overseas wars -
these are useful, but temporary, expedients. Re-electing reactionary
governments helps - or even an Opposition which is fiscally conservative.
Capitalism is, as capitalism does - it just loves the battlers, and is
determined to keep them that way.