[Kizzy]

Originally Posted by lily.

My reasoning is that there are a lot of skilled people, some with degrees who are unable to secure employment in their area of expertise.

ETA: There are also people working in the private sector who have 'earned through vocational study to a level that they are beyond minimum wage' yet they still have to accept minimum wage.

Exactly.. do you find this acceptable? I don't.
public perception is shifting and it's worrying, if you work in public service and are employed by the state to provide your skills, knowledge and talents then you should be respected and rewarded with a decent wage and a protected pension in my opinion.
The expansion of unregulated, underskilled, undervalued private sector staff in some areas of public services in companies whos only aim is to minimise outlay and maximise profits will contribute to the destruction of infrastructure and in turn communities and society as we know it.

Not that this was intended to be a public/private sector debate initially so I'd prefer to steer this back on topic. Why are the government so against now we are in recovery holding out on giving a fair wage increase to those who we rely on so much? And why are the unions given such a hard time for fighting for the rights of those who we depend on currently in this country.