Thoughtless, selfish greed
The Histadrut, which is a sort of mutation of a trade union we have here (actually, it is, in effect, the only trade union we have here) held a three hour “warning” strike today, encompassing the public sector and parts of the private sector that have powerful worker organizations, like the banks. They want a cost-of-living wage adjustment for the workers.

They’re such horrid, grasping little politicians.

At this point in time, most people are grateful if they have jobs. If the Histadrut gets its way, a lot more people could lose theirs. Hundreds of teachers are being fired this year, as it is, which of course means it will be impossible for young teachers, fresh out of teachers’ seminars to get positions and that’s just in one area of the public sector. The private sector is much worse. Thousands have been fired from hi-tech companies, and they’re not getting rehired; factories and small enterprises are folding all the time. The government will have to finance these cost-of-living raises somehow. The workers aren’t stupid. They know this. They can see what’s happening. They can see their friends losing their jobs. They also are quite capable of making the connection between the economic situation and this war we’re in the middle of.

I work in the public sector, myself. I don’t think my salary has lost very much in value due to inflation, certainly not enough to justify a demand for a cost-of-living adjustment, at a time of national crisis, like this.

So what is this, if not nasty, conniving little politicians, who know they won’t get re-elected if they don’t make a fuss, every now and again, (and what better time than when the government is trying to get an unpopular budget through) and don’t care if they take the whole country down on the way?

We have a young girl at work, who has decided that she’s not happy, needs a change, and has given in her notice. No one can understand why she doesn't try to change position inside our large organization. I’m rather worried about her. This is not the time to give up a secure job. She could have something lined up, she’s not telling about, but good jobs are hard to come by these days. I know what you’re thinking – but working as a security guard pays very badly.


Talking about security guards
I worked till 10pm last night, and coming out of work, I walked passed a nearby bar. The entrance to this place was completely blocked by this enormous guy, wearing a bright yellow T-shirt and sitting on a high bar chair. By blocked, I mean blocked. In order to let anyone in, he would have had to get up and move his chair. And he was really big.

I would have liked to see a terrorist try to get round this guy! Well, maybe not.