Openness and Transparency
The Taxpayers Alliance has been having some fun at the expense of union leaders - by publishing a 'rich list' showing that some of them enjoy very healthy salary packages.
For example, Dave Prentis, general secretary of Unison, is reportedly paid a salary and benefits package worth £127,436 a year.
Matt Wrack of the Fire Brigades Union receives £115,804 - while Mark Serwotka of the Public and Commercial Services Union earns £111,112 - apparently.
Unison in responding to the Taxpayers Alliance said that Mr Prentis 'is worth every penny that he is paid - and it is not taxpayers' money'.
A spokesman said: 'He has 1,500 staff, a turnover of around £160 million and has a lot of meetings with chief executives who are paid in the gazillions.'
Now, I've met more chief executives in the public sector than I care to remember - but I have yet to meet one who is paid in the 'gazillions'.
In any event, the comparison is not very apt - what's the price of mince got to do with the price of mangoes?
Chief executives and senior officials come in all shapes and sizes - some are responsible for tens of thousands of staff - others may be involved in life or death decisions.
So, in terms of pay it's horses for courses - and pay arrangements need to be justified on their own terms - so that public money or union members' money is properly spent.
But what should underpin everything when it comes to pay arrangements - is a willingness to be open and transparent - as opposed to secretive and furtive.
Even the BBC is moving in this direction - with a commitment to go further than ever before in providing details about its top stars' earnings - so that some form of public scrutiny is brought into the equation.
As ever - 'daylight is the best disinfectant' - as the scandal over MPs' expenses showed.
For example, Dave Prentis, general secretary of Unison, is reportedly paid a salary and benefits package worth £127,436 a year.
Matt Wrack of the Fire Brigades Union receives £115,804 - while Mark Serwotka of the Public and Commercial Services Union earns £111,112 - apparently.
Unison in responding to the Taxpayers Alliance said that Mr Prentis 'is worth every penny that he is paid - and it is not taxpayers' money'.
A spokesman said: 'He has 1,500 staff, a turnover of around £160 million and has a lot of meetings with chief executives who are paid in the gazillions.'
Now, I've met more chief executives in the public sector than I care to remember - but I have yet to meet one who is paid in the 'gazillions'.
In any event, the comparison is not very apt - what's the price of mince got to do with the price of mangoes?
Chief executives and senior officials come in all shapes and sizes - some are responsible for tens of thousands of staff - others may be involved in life or death decisions.
So, in terms of pay it's horses for courses - and pay arrangements need to be justified on their own terms - so that public money or union members' money is properly spent.
But what should underpin everything when it comes to pay arrangements - is a willingness to be open and transparent - as opposed to secretive and furtive.
Even the BBC is moving in this direction - with a commitment to go further than ever before in providing details about its top stars' earnings - so that some form of public scrutiny is brought into the equation.
As ever - 'daylight is the best disinfectant' - as the scandal over MPs' expenses showed.
