Mick Lynch RMT Gen Sec

[Pedro de la Rosa]

Re: Mick Lynch RMT Gen Sec

The firm didn't have contract with the cleaning company she worked for?

And this?

[Feedback]

Re: Mick Lynch RMT Gen Sec

With what money? As you're a cleaner on minimum wage.

Given the plethora of owner managed cleaning companies out there, it must be possible

[Feedback]

Re: Mick Lynch RMT Gen Sec

Bewildered as to why people would attempt to form an argument that anyone in full time employment does not deserve pay that is enough to live off from without government handouts.

Whilst the right laud the reduction in benefits being paid as a result of job creation and left wax lyrical about how using the benefits system creates wealth equality, both sides really cannot grasp that in one of the richest nations in world, both arguments are wrong.

The minimum wage is anything but. It may work for teenagers and young 20 somethings living with their parents, but in the real world, all employers should strive to pay at least the living wage as a bare minimum.

[Pedro de la Rosa]

Re: Mick Lynch RMT Gen Sec

Given the plethora of owner managed cleaning companies out there, it must be possible

Given there is already a plethora, don't you think the market might be a bit saturated?

[Pedro de la Rosa]

Re: Mick Lynch RMT Gen Sec

Whilst the right laud the reduction in benefits being paid as a result of job creation and left wax lyrical about how using the benefits system creates wealth equality, both sides really cannot grasp that in one of the richest nations in world, both arguments are wrong.

The minimum wage is anything but. It may work for teenagers and young 20 somethings living with their parents, but in the real world, all employers should strive to pay at least the living wage as a bare minimum.

So why are you arguing against people getting a decent wage in other comments?

[Eric Cartman]

Re: Mick Lynch RMT Gen Sec

It is only in the past 12 years that interest rates have been as low as they are. Interest rates historically were around 7-10%, on occasions rising to 15%. It is accepted that housing is the single biggest cost, so I can't see how interest rates being a fraction of what they were back then has made the situation as bad today as you are alluding to.

You need to move away from the Thatcherite policy of homeownership that you favour. Whilst home ownership is nice to have, take a leaf out of our continental cousin's playbook where renting is so much more the norm.

I have said that in other threads that I am more than happy to rent for my whole life however a mortgage would lower my outgoings and provide something at the end, I earn enough to budget and pay my rent but I've not enough wage+deposit to get a mortgage. I don't think my situation is close to unique, the whole housing market is a trap.

My lease expires in September and I am waiting to see how much they try and up it.

[North Cardiff Blue]

Re: Mick Lynch RMT Gen Sec

And this?

I think they must have used various small cleaning firms?

She's an example of someone who was on her uppers but got out of poverty by spotting an opportunity, I appreciate not everyone has ambition and inititve, some would prefer to blame the government and would prefer to tax higher earners more and more.

[Pedro de la Rosa]

Re: Mick Lynch RMT Gen Sec

It is only in the past 12 years that interest rates have been as low as they are. Interest rates historically were around 7-10%, on occasions rising to 15%. It is accepted that housing is the single biggest cost, so I can't see how interest rates being a fraction of what they were back then has made the situation as bad today as you are alluding to.

You need to move away from the Thatcherite policy of homeownership that you favour. Whilst home ownership is nice to have, take a leaf out of our continental cousin's playbook where renting is so much more the norm.

I wonder why young people can't afford to buy houses?

https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/2021/05/how-uk-house-prices-have-soared-ahead-average-wages

[Pedro de la Rosa]

Re: Mick Lynch RMT Gen Sec

I think they must have used various small cleaning firms?

She's an example of someone who was on her uppers but got out of poverty by spotting an opportunity, I appreciate not everyone has ambition and inititve, some would prefer to blame the government and would prefer to tax higher earners more and more.

Train stations need to be cleaned. There are many cleaners that need to clean them. Why should they not be paid a decent wage for doing a job that needs to be done? If they weren't needed, they wouldn't be employed. For every person that's "worked hard" to get to where there are, there will be many others who have failed. 60% of new businesses fail in their first 3 years.

[lardy]

Re: Mick Lynch RMT Gen Sec

I think they must have used various small cleaning firms?

She's an example of someone who was on her uppers but got out of poverty by spotting an opportunity, I appreciate not everyone has ambition and inititve, some would prefer to blame the government and would prefer to tax higher earners more and more.

Good for her but I think it's unusual for a contractor for Company A to just take Company A's work with Company B by simply asking for it.

[Feedback]

Re: Mick Lynch RMT Gen Sec

I have said that in other threads that I am more than happy to rent for my whole life however a mortgage would lower my outgoings and provide something at the end, I earn enough to budget and pay my rent but I've not enough wage+deposit to get a mortgage. I don't think my situation is close to unique, the whole housing market is a trap.

My lease expires in September and I am waiting to see how much they try and up it.

I've never really understood how someone who can pay £x per annum for rent is not deemed credit worthy enough to secure a mortgage that costs the same. If this government were truly serious about home ownership, then why not legislate that once you have proved your credit worthiness by renting for say 12 months or 2 years, mortgage companies have to give you a 100% mortgage which costs the same as the rent you paid.

[North Cardiff Blue]

Re: Mick Lynch RMT Gen Sec

I wonder why young people can't afford to buy houses?
https://www.newstatesman.com/politic...-average-wages

It's because older people have used them for investment purposes, they can outbid youngsters and drive the price up, this should be looked at by every UK Government and should be addressed. It's been good for them and bad for their children, they will go down this year or next though.

[Baloo]

Re: Mick Lynch RMT Gen Sec

This woman was working for a firm cleaning the vans, chatted to the people in the office and said can I clean the vans for you, they said yes if you like £x per van, she said great i'll do 20 or whatever, she didn't need any cash start up, just iniiative.

This is a bit of an oversimplification. For some people at the low end of the pay scale having a regular, secure income is essential. They may have initiative but they also have to balance risks as they have financial commitments and responsibilities but may not have savings. Working for yourself can pose challenges with intermittent gaps in work and also suppliers paying late. It's not really as straightforward as just telling people to use their initiative and go it alone.

[Rjk]

Re: Mick Lynch RMT Gen Sec

Good for her but I think it's unusual for a contractor for Company A to just take Company A's work with Company B by simply asking for it.

Yes, most companies wouldn't touch that with a barge pole