Some Wages Too High!

By Lloyd Cole-Nolan

Organisations are being repeatedly told to rein in higher wage earners. 

Increasing animosity is growing as high wage earners continue to appear as out of touch.  With news of a head teacher this morning who earns £200,000 a year to bankers getting bonuses in the midst of the crisis.  No one seems immune. 

Prime Minister David Cameron was keen to stress that “we are all in this together”.  Upon arriving into office Mr Cameron took a wage £52,000 below that of the previous occupant Gordon Brown.   In addition, the current Prime Minister ordered the entire Cabinet to take a 5% pay cut. 

 

Cameron himself took a 25% Pay cut when he came to office compared to Brown. 

In an age of austerity it seems that everyone including the poor must take a cut.   Most civil servants wages have been frozen over the next few years and other public sector workers are taking the strain.   However, it appears that some higher wage earners are still not picking up their bit of slack in the rope and continue to receive wages that stagger most.  What seems to cause particular offence, are those in positions who are paid out of the publics pocket or seen as contributing to the crisis.  Here is a couple of examples just from today:

Head Teacher

A Head Teacher was criticised this morning for earning “more than the prime minister”.  Mr Elm who runs a 400 strong Primary school in London took nearly £200,000 in salaries and bonuses last year.  Although his annually salary is close to £83,000 and the rest is made up by over time and back payments. 

The Union GMB expressed outrage at the amount.  Ted Purcell, a GMB public services officer said “It is outrageous that a Head Teacher should get paid more than the Prime Minister”.

An OFSTED report described Mr Elms leadership as “outstanding”

Bankers

Bankers received criticism after it still appears the sector is handing out large bonuses, still.   Financial Secretary Mark Hoban said the banks need to show restrain and that they operate in a fair and stable way in the allocation of bonuses. 

Steps were taken by the European Parliament and a deal was made that banker will receive no more than 30% of their bonus in cash.  The remaining amount is retained and repaid based on long-term performance.    Bankers bonuses caused outrage during the economic downturn.