and money THE run-up to the General Election looks like being far from quiet on the employment front. Low pay rise offers are unlikely to be meekly accepted by workers growing increasingly dissatisfied with cash deals below the rate of inflation.

Already we have seen postal workers taking action over long hours and poor basic pay, which has resulted in low morale.

The news that nurses in Bolton have been offered a top-up pay rise of less than one per cent, above the two per cent to be paid out nationally, will have many other groups of public sector workers bracing themselves for equally low offers. In the private sector, however, lots of folk will probably be envying them their pay rises of around three per cent.

The Government's target of zero inflation has always been a commendable dream and, perhaps, an impossible one. And their line that pay rises have to be achieved by increased productivity has been heeded by just about every working group in the land. But postal workers are quick to point out that they have achieved a 60 per cent increase in productivity over the last 15 years.

There's a limit to how many hours people can work efficiently and, sooner or later, Britain's working week will probably be dictated by the bureaucrats of Brussels.

Groups like the postal workers and nurses would also be far more willing to accept pay rises in line with inflation if the Fat Cats of those privatised industries led by example where salaries are concerned. Time to echo those famous words by Edward Heath about the unacceptable face of capitalism.

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