CDN_PATRIOT CDN_PATRIOT:
I find it hard to have sympathy for people who already make more than most and are set for life with their benefits, perks, retirement pensions, etc.
-J.
What a load of crap. Civil servants don't make anywhere near what those in the private sector often do.
If you want to be pissed off at someone, look at CEOs and executives who make six, seven or even eight figure salaries (once all their bonuses and stock options and added in).
Even middle managers in the private sector often earn more than their public sector counterparts because they get higher salaries, Christmas bonuses, stock options, and other perks civil servant do not.
I will agree that civil servants have better benefits, typically because they prioritize work/life balance over earnings. If they choose to work a 40 hour week and make $100,000/year instead of a 60 hour week with $150,000/year, that is their right.
And the old defined benefit pensions are history and have been replaced by defined contribution pensions. And because they earn less than their private sector counterparts, they usually have less retirement benefits.