I COULDN'T help reading with astonishment, that Bolton Metro staff claim a total of £5m in annual sickness payments.

This enormously galling figure may increase before it lessens, because the sick brigades greatest and most satisfactory element is, (to my mind), part of a negotiated unionised staff's eternal right, which some workers undoubtedly see as a 'perk' to be added to annual holiday entitlements!

How is it that, with the new European Rights Laws, every worker in Britain can't extend, with impunity, his or her time-out entitlement?

This is one case that Sherlock Holmes and the fictional Doctor Watson couldn't solve, so (neither can the current government) find an antidote for the sickness problem.

No one can effectively sort out the resolute and regular brigade of lead-swingers, happy go luckys, that this once great country suffers. Millions are prone to repeated toothache, first day of the week headache, Friday morning flatulence (tummy troubles), and legions 'simply despair'.

Sick pay remains a statutory costly right.

Is this a fair (or even reasonable) situation, when stringent financial measures threaten the incomes of Metro-lolly persons... each and every one doing a worthwhile job in all weathers?

Some say that bad backs are pandemic throughout Britain's 'unequally righted' job system, but some malinger frequently while others seldom play off!

How does one separate or distinguish between genuine grafters and disillusioned, excuse making skivers.

Can those in authority find righteous ways to lower the sickness costs, or will Bolton continue to be bled dry?

I realise that sick payments remain a countrywide problem.... limits are required.

Kenneth Lucas

Park Road

Hindley, Wigan