Graveyard caretaker forced out of his home (From Daily Echo)

Walter K wrote:
Strip away the sentimentality and it's quite clear that this is all about the accomodation and the couples' desire not to downsize.

bigfella777 wrote:
I would quite like to be offered a 22k traffic wardens job and he has been offered alternative accomodation.
My father worked the same job for 47 years and when he retired they gave him a pen.
Same old story, council employees dont live in the real world.

BenjiWinsor wrote:
This family would need to leave this house in a few short years anyway. The council are offering them new accommodation which in fact they may not be entitled to, so the council are doing more than they legally need to as they recognise the upset this will cause the couple. I hope that rather that dwell on anger and bitterness, they will instead see the possibilities and the future and look forward to that and that a home will be offered where they can settle and be happy.

Walter K wrote:
Strip away the sentimentality and it's quite clear that this is all about the accomodation and the couples' desire not to downsize.

Northamboy wrote:
Southampton City Council you should be ashamed. He has four years left to retirement and to make him redundant now will save £100,000. You spend that on carpets that don't need replacing!

He does such a good job at the cemetery and is always happy when it fits and sad when needed. He's a top bloke in my opinion.

SSC let me put you on notice, if any of my families graves are vandalised and I can prove its down to him being made redundant then I will sue your backsides off. Do you understand that you fools.

freefinker wrote:

Walter K wrote:
Strip away the sentimentality and it's quite clear that this is all about the accomodation and the couples' desire not to downsize.

.. yep, think that's about it.

No doubt being offered a good redundancy and retirement package.

However, what will become of the Lodge? No doubt it will be sold off like the one in the Old Cemetery. That is probably the real reason all this is happening – a bit of ‘selling off the family silver’ for a quick buck.

He may have been a Tory but old SuperMac did make quite a lot of sense.

Pinguboy wrote:

bigfella777 wrote:
I would quite like to be offered a 22k traffic wardens job and he has been offered alternative accomodation.
My father worked the same job for 47 years and when he retired they gave him a pen.
Same old story, council employees dont live in the real world.

Was your father evicted from his lodge?

bigfella777 wrote:

Pinguboy wrote:

bigfella777 wrote:
I would quite like to be offered a 22k traffic wardens job and he has been offered alternative accomodation.
My father worked the same job for 47 years and when he retired they gave him a pen.
Same old story, council employees dont live in the real world.

Was your father evicted from his lodge?

He didn't have a lodge, he had to get a mortgage and work all the overtime he could get to pay for it and feed 3 kids, not like todays spongers.

bigfella777 wrote:

Pinguboy wrote:

bigfella777 wrote: I would quite like to be offered a 22k traffic wardens job and he has been offered alternative accomodation. My father worked the same job for 47 years and when he retired they gave him a pen. Same old story, council employees dont live in the real world.

Was your father evicted from his lodge?

He didn't have a lodge, he had to get a mortgage and work all the overtime he could get to pay for it and feed 3 kids, not like todays spongers.

Pinguboy wrote:

freefinker wrote:

Walter K wrote:
Strip away the sentimentality and it's quite clear that this is all about the accomodation and the couples' desire not to downsize.

.. yep, think that's about it.

No doubt being offered a good redundancy and retirement package.

However, what will become of the Lodge? No doubt it will be sold off like the one in the Old Cemetery. That is probably the real reason all this is happening – a bit of ‘selling off the family silver’ for a quick buck.

He may have been a Tory but old SuperMac did make quite a lot of sense.

42 years of service, and a £11,000 pay off??


Yep that's a massive payout for all those years and loyalty!

ohec wrote:
It does seem very hard but i am afraid that is the world we live in now, but rather than get bitter about it i think they should treat it as a challenge a new start, as getting bitter will only spoil their lives and when you get to the twilight years everyday is too important to be unhappy.

Pinguboy wrote:

ohec wrote: It does seem very hard but i am afraid that is the world we live in now, but rather than get bitter about it i think they should treat it as a challenge a new start, as getting bitter will only spoil their lives and when you get to the twilight years everyday is too important to be unhappy.

I understand your sentiments 'ohec' But forced out of their home.....Forced redundancy after 42 years in bereavement services. Ask anyone who has family buried at the cemetery what Jim Emery means to them? I have also been informed, that prior to this news breaking, Jim had been nominated for an MBE for services to the community. Well, if accepted, what a bitter coating by the council not to overturn a decision by the previous regime. Labour have a real chance to come out smelling like roses!!!

benkirk78 wrote:

Pinguboy wrote:

ohec wrote: It does seem very hard but i am afraid that is the world we live in now, but rather than get bitter about it i think they should treat it as a challenge a new start, as getting bitter will only spoil their lives and when you get to the twilight years everyday is too important to be unhappy.

I understand your sentiments 'ohec' But forced out of their home.....Forced redundancy after 42 years in bereavement services. Ask anyone who has family buried at the cemetery what Jim Emery means to them? I have also been informed, that prior to this news breaking, Jim had been nominated for an MBE for services to the community. Well, if accepted, what a bitter coating by the council not to overturn a decision by the previous regime. Labour have a real chance to come out smelling like roses!!!

Sorry to bring you back into reality but I'm not sure the City / County / Country can support people just carrying on in the jobs that are no longer required just because they are 'nice' and 'people like them'...

He clearly did a good job and is a lovely gentleman but I'm certain he can still be those things bringing joy to a local school as a caretaker?

Mr. Ducke wrote:
I think the point some of the commenters here are missing is how beneficial it is to the public to have someone present around the clock in a cemetery, someone who knows and cares for it, and for the families of those buried there. Every day, it seems, the papers are filled with stories of vandalism, theft and disrespectful partying in cemeteries. Much of that is due to the elimination of positions such as this one.

benkirk78 wrote:

Pinguboy wrote:

ohec wrote: It does seem very hard but i am afraid that is the world we live in now, but rather than get bitter about it i think they should treat it as a challenge a new start, as getting bitter will only spoil their lives and when you get to the twilight years everyday is too important to be unhappy.

I understand your sentiments 'ohec' But forced out of their home.....Forced redundancy after 42 years in bereavement services. Ask anyone who has family buried at the cemetery what Jim Emery means to them? I have also been informed, that prior to this news breaking, Jim had been nominated for an MBE for services to the community. Well, if accepted, what a bitter coating by the council not to overturn a decision by the previous regime. Labour have a real chance to come out smelling like roses!!!

Sorry to bring you back into reality but I'm not sure the City / County / Country can support people just carrying on in the jobs that are no longer required just because they are 'nice' and 'people like them'...

He clearly did a good job and is a lovely gentleman but I'm certain he can still be those things bringing joy to a local school as a caretaker?

benkirk78 wrote:

bigfella777 wrote:

Pinguboy wrote:

bigfella777 wrote: I would quite like to be offered a 22k traffic wardens job and he has been offered alternative accomodation. My father worked the same job for 47 years and when he retired they gave him a pen. Same old story, council employees dont live in the real world.

Was your father evicted from his lodge?

He didn't have a lodge, he had to get a mortgage and work all the overtime he could get to pay for it and feed 3 kids, not like todays spongers.

...and this guy has been offered a new place to live so its not like he's on the streets!

commnurse wrote:
It's all very sad that this man is being made redundant but come people of Southampton... Read between the lines! He is living in a 4 bedroom house with his wife and his dog when there are families in Southampton crammed into inadequate housing. He's had plenty of other job offers and the council have clearly tried to help this man, but he's digging his heels in. Surely if he's lived there all his working life then he knew this day would come, I'm sure he's been offered some sort of financial recompense so in this day and age that's a lot more than some people get.

freefinker wrote:

Walter K wrote:
Strip away the sentimentality and it's quite clear that this is all about the accomodation and the couples' desire not to downsize.

.. yep, think that's about it.

No doubt being offered a good redundancy and retirement package.

However, what will become of the Lodge? No doubt it will be sold off like the one in the Old Cemetery. That is probably the real reason all this is happening – a bit of ‘selling off the family silver’ for a quick buck.

He may have been a Tory but old SuperMac did make quite a lot of sense.

benkirk78 wrote:
I'll always feel sympathetic to redundency however this has been glossed with sentiment and pity when the facts are he is being very well supported.
He has been offered a new place to live and various other job roles. Why is a school caretaker role not suitable??
Its quite clear what this is really about is that he doesnt want to move from his spacious, fairly grand home that he pays next to nothing for so in order to try and resist he is turning down suitable jobs and suitable accomodation.
As I said, it IS sad but get real. People do get made redundent (especially in this day and age) but they dont get to keep the benefits of the job they no longer do.
I bet the 600 people leaving British Gas this month would love to be offered cheap rent / a new job!

mtdiablo wrote:
outrageous. this man has been a long-term servent and deserves better.

as an aside, can we not make this into a left/right wing argument like everything else on this site? bit of respect

Northamboy wrote:
Southampton City Council you should be ashamed. He has four years left to retirement and to make him redundant now will save £100,000. You spend that on carpets that don't need replacing! He does such a good job at the cemetery and is always happy when it fits and sad when needed. He's a top bloke in my opinion. SSC let me put you on notice, if any of my families graves are vandalised and I can prove its down to him being made redundant then I will sue your backsides off. Do you understand that you fools.

gillyman wrote:
what has changed to make this redundancy necessary have people stopped dying cctv will not prevent vandalism and i suppose the police will say there will be regular patrols(haha) but police and cctv cost money remember your councillors the next time you vote

bigfella777 wrote:
75 % of people are cremated after death now and Hollybrook cemetery is pretty much full now apart from the horses fields.If people are not getting buried there then they dont need a superintendent obviously.

charliesaint123 wrote:

bigfella777 wrote:
75 % of people are cremated after death now and Hollybrook cemetery is pretty much full now apart from the horses fields.If people are not getting buried there then they dont need a superintendent obviously.

well they need to look after the graves you fool ?

charliesaint123 wrote:

benkirk78 wrote:

bigfella777 wrote:

Pinguboy wrote:

bigfella777 wrote: I would quite like to be offered a 22k traffic wardens job and he has been offered alternative accomodation. My father worked the same job for 47 years and when he retired they gave him a pen. Same old story, council employees dont live in the real world.

Was your father evicted from his lodge?

He didn't have a lodge, he had to get a mortgage and work all the overtime he could get to pay for it and feed 3 kids, not like todays spongers.

...and this guy has been offered a new place to live so its not like he's on the streets!

i you see the accomadation they have been offered its a flat they wouldnt be able to take there 6 year old dog which they would have to re home her . and to add to this dont comment on something you dont know the whole story to if you search "hollybrook cemetery redundancy " it will give you a more in depth look at what has happened and why my grandad hasnt taken the jobs he has been offered ..and lastly they also pay full rent for th e house and it was only last year they were told they were safe in the house despite the cuts

Paramjit Bahia wrote:
As this job cut was decided by Tories and has been implemented by NuLabour it may not be Labour Vs Tories issue.

But it illustrates the priorities of our local Council, exposes its hypocrisy and immorality.

Over the years same Council has been increasing funeral charges, often well above rate of inflation. Thus financially exploiting people when they are emotionally most vulnerable and unfortunate victims of laws of nature.

Now they are doing away with job of looking after this cemetery. So when we read about yobs damaging graves, we should remember who to blame.

When crazy Council is only interesting in making profits out of tragedies, Jim Emery has shown real face of humanity, by offering to keep on looking after the place provided he is allowed to live in the house.

Is our Council collectively so stupid that it can't see sense in what Jim Emery has offered? Or Councillors are only interested in their own eg and thousands of pounds they themselves get? Have these arrogant idiots forgotten that civilised people may not always get on well but tend to respect the dead and their last resting place.

I am glad that I won't end in this cemetery near my home, because my body will be donated as spare parts for medical research.

SHAME ON SOTON COUNCIL WHICH IS PICKS UPON KIDS BY CLOSING THEIR SWIMMING POOL AND IGNORES LAST RESTING PLACES OF DEAD...

Walter K wrote:
Strip away the sentimentality and it's quite clear that this is all about the accomodation and the couples' desire not to downsize.

bigfella777 wrote:
I would quite like to be offered a 22k traffic wardens job and he has been offered alternative accomodation.
My father worked the same job for 47 years and when he retired they gave him a pen.
Same old story, council employees dont live in the real world.

lisa whitemore wrote:

charliesaint123 wrote:

benkirk78 wrote:

bigfella777 wrote:

Pinguboy wrote:

bigfella777 wrote: I would quite like to be offered a 22k traffic wardens job and he has been offered alternative accomodation. My father worked the same job for 47 years and when he retired they gave him a pen. Same old story, council employees dont live in the real world.

Was your father evicted from his lodge?

He didn't have a lodge, he had to get a mortgage and work all the overtime he could get to pay for it and feed 3 kids, not like todays spongers.

...and this guy has been offered a new place to live so its not like he's on the streets!

i you see the accomadation they have been offered its a flat they wouldnt be able to take there 6 year old dog which they would have to re home her . and to add to this dont comment on something you dont know the whole story to if you search "hollybrook cemetery redundancy " it will give you a more in depth look at what has happened and why my grandad hasnt taken the jobs he has been offered ..and lastly they also pay full rent for th e house and it was only last year they were told they were safe in the house despite the cuts

ALL I WANT IS TO SEE MY DAD TREATED WITH TOTAL RESPECT THAT HE WITHOUT A DOUBT DESERVES AFTER 42 LOYAL YEARS, SOUTHAMPTON CITY COUNCIL SHOULD BE COMENDATING "JIM AT HOLLYBROOK" NOT JUST NOTICE UR JOB I QUOTE IS 'DELETED' AND WILL NOT EXIS
T AFTER 5TH OCT 2012.....OH AND BY THE WAY YOU NEED TO HAVE VACATED THE PREMISES....MEANING OUR FAMILY HOME OF 26YRS!!! THEN JUST TO ADD INSULT HE IS TO BE GIVEN
ALL OF £11,000 REDUNDANCY, FOR 42 YEARS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

!!!!! WHAT WITH IT ONLY FEW YRS BEFORE MY DADS RETIREMENT!!!! I AM ONLY DOING WHAT IS RIGHT???? HOW DARE THEY THINK THEY COULD GET AWAY WITH TRYING TO QUIETLY DELETE THE POSITION AND BASICALLY DELETE MY DADS WHOLE WORKING LIFE???? I DONT THINK SO SOMEHOW DO YOU????
ALL THIS UNBELIEVABLE SUPPORT KINDA CONFIRMS MY THINKING.ITS TOTALLY UNNACCEPTABLE AND FOR THOSE WHO DO NOT AGREE, ARE OF MINORITY!!

Shoong wrote:

lisa whitemore wrote:

charliesaint123 wrote:

benkirk78 wrote:

bigfella777 wrote:

Pinguboy wrote:

bigfella777 wrote: I would quite like to be offered a 22k traffic wardens job and he has been offered alternative accomodation. My father worked the same job for 47 years and when he retired they gave him a pen. Same old story, council employees dont live in the real world.

Was your father evicted from his lodge?

He didn't have a lodge, he had to get a mortgage and work all the overtime he could get to pay for it and feed 3 kids, not like todays spongers.

...and this guy has been offered a new place to live so its not like he's on the streets!

i you see the accomadation they have been offered its a flat they wouldnt be able to take there 6 year old dog which they would have to re home her . and to add to this dont comment on something you dont know the whole story to if you search "hollybrook cemetery redundancy " it will give you a more in depth look at what has happened and why my grandad hasnt taken the jobs he has been offered ..and lastly they also pay full rent for th e house and it was only last year they were told they were safe in the house despite the cuts

ALL I WANT IS TO SEE MY DAD TREATED WITH TOTAL RESPECT THAT HE WITHOUT A DOUBT DESERVES AFTER 42 LOYAL YEARS, SOUTHAMPTON CITY COUNCIL SHOULD BE COMENDATING "JIM AT HOLLYBROOK" NOT JUST NOTICE UR JOB I QUOTE IS 'DELETED' AND WILL NOT EXIS
T AFTER 5TH OCT 2012.....OH AND BY THE WAY YOU NEED TO HAVE VACATED THE PREMISES....MEANING OUR FAMILY HOME OF 26YRS!!! THEN JUST TO ADD INSULT HE IS TO BE GIVEN
ALL OF £11,000 REDUNDANCY, FOR 42 YEARS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


!!!!! WHAT WITH IT ONLY FEW YRS BEFORE MY DADS RETIREMENT!!!! I AM ONLY DOING WHAT IS RIGHT???? HOW DARE THEY THINK THEY COULD GET AWAY WITH TRYING TO QUIETLY DELETE THE POSITION AND BASICALLY DELETE MY DADS WHOLE WORKING LIFE???? I DONT THINK SO SOMEHOW DO YOU????
ALL THIS UNBELIEVABLE SUPPORT KINDA CONFIRMS MY THINKING.ITS TOTALLY UNNACCEPTABLE AND FOR THOSE WHO DO NOT AGREE, ARE OF MINORITY!!

I think the great majority have sympathy for your father's situation Lisa, but you do yourself or your father any favours with an ill thought out rant such as this one.

Would it be interesting to know who yourself and your father voted for in the last Council Elections?

benkirk78 wrote:
Charliesaint, A forum is about opinions. If you want everyone to agree that your Grandad is being ill treated and feel sorry for his plight then you may wish to stop reading the posts. There are 600 people being made redundent at British Gas who have no offer of local redeployment and accomodation. They will simply have to find their own jobs whilst continuing to pay their mortgages and rent. These things happen, even to good people. However the country cant just support people because they are nice and did what was clearly an amazing job going above and beyond. If the house is sold and money is made it would not be a surprise. The council want money and thats a way of raising some. I DO NOT agree with people losing jobs and homes but i also do not agree people can be given a free pass to an easy life when there are others more needy. And be assured, there are others who are far more in need. Families that cant afford to feed themselves and pay their bils etc etc etc...

mtdiablo wrote:
i agree with you southy, the left does want to invest. it's simply unfortunate that we do not have a major left-wing party, and the minor ones most squabble over the definition of "socialism", "communism", or whatever other label they wish to identify with.

southy wrote:

mtdiablo wrote:
outrageous. this man has been a long-term servent and deserves better.

as an aside, can we not make this into a left/right wing argument like everything else on this site? bit of respect

Can't be done mtdiablo, its the right that wants to makes cuts and not invest, while the left wants to invest and keep people in there jobs so they are able to carry on spending in the local economy.

benkirk78 wrote:

bigfella777 wrote:

Pinguboy wrote:

bigfella777 wrote: I would quite like to be offered a 22k traffic wardens job and he has been offered alternative accomodation. My father worked the same job for 47 years and when he retired they gave him a pen. Same old story, council employees dont live in the real world.

Was your father evicted from his lodge?

He didn't have a lodge, he had to get a mortgage and work all the overtime he could get to pay for it and feed 3 kids, not like todays spongers.

...and this guy has been offered a new place to live so its not like he's on the streets!

mtdiablo wrote:
outrageous. this man has been a long-term servent and deserves better.

as an aside, can we not make this into a left/right wing argument like everything else on this site? bit of respect

southy wrote:

mtdiablo wrote:
i agree with you southy, the left does want to invest. it's simply unfortunate that we do not have a major left-wing party, and the minor ones most squabble over the definition of "socialism", "communism", or whatever other label they wish to identify with.

Thats the idea behind the TUSC party group, it is to bring together those that are really on the left back together again, under one banner, but just like before when the Socialist Party and a rail Union first formed the Labour Party, they are allowing the moderites on the right to join to join the TUSC.

loosehead wrote:

mtdiablo wrote:
outrageous. this man has been a long-term servent and deserves better.

as an aside, can we not make this into a left/right wing argument like everything else on this site? bit of respect

Sorry did not the Labour party openly accuse the Tory council of doing this type of thing if they were re-elected?
This council are now showing their true colours & I could quite easily say "told you so" but I hope you the electorate now realise what a mistake you made in voting Labour into power

sass wrote:

Northamboy wrote:
Southampton City Council you should be ashamed. He has four years left to retirement and to make him redundant now will save £100,000. You spend that on carpets that don't need replacing! He does such a good job at the cemetery and is always happy when it fits and sad when needed. He's a top bloke in my opinion. SSC let me put you on notice, if any of my families graves are vandalised and I can prove its down to him being made redundant then I will sue your backsides off. Do you understand that you fools.

yada yada yada, blah blah blah.

bigfella777 wrote:

Pinguboy wrote:

bigfella777 wrote:
I would quite like to be offered a 22k traffic wardens job and he has been offered alternative accomodation.
My father worked the same job for 47 years and when he retired they gave him a pen.
Same old story, council employees dont live in the real world.

Was your father evicted from his lodge?

He didn't have a lodge, he had to get a mortgage and work all the overtime he could get to pay for it and feed 3 kids, not like todays spongers.

bigfella777 wrote:
Some 6,500 former MG Rover workers will get only £3 redundancy—seven years after they lost their jobs.
Their legal case to recover millions of pounds was rejected by the High Court.
This leaves just £22,000 in a fund to be distributed among all the workers who were sacked when the firm went bust in 2005.
There you go 6500 people with homes,families,dogs ect completely shafted, £3 each!!!

11,000 or another job,plus another home when 14,000 people are on the waiting list sounds pretty good now doesn't it.

Shoong wrote:

southy wrote:

mtdiablo wrote:
i agree with you southy, the left does want to invest. it's simply unfortunate that we do not have a major left-wing party, and the minor ones most squabble over the definition of "socialism", "communism", or whatever other label they wish to identify with.

Thats the idea behind the TUSC party group, it is to bring together those that are really on the left back together again, under one banner, but just like before when the Socialist Party and a rail Union first formed the Labour Party, they are allowing the moderites on the right to join to join the TUSC.

So, what, how many members is that now, have you reached double figures yet?

The TUSC are allowing 'moderate' far right wingers to join now? How desperate is that, more distasteful political mercenary's.

It's a change of tune yet again, why not long ago anyone who was not on the side of the Left was 'far right' without any exceptions by your book. But then I suppose as a consummate politician, your values and morals change when desperation sets in.

Lone Ranger. wrote:
What a massive load of knee jerk reactions for x's sake.
.
I feel sympathy for him, ........ but i feel sympathy for anyone made redundant.
.
So what if he has been ther 40 years .. many people are in the same boat ..
.
He will be paid redundacy ..... offered alternative accomodation ...... plus another council position.
.
FFS some of you .... get the real world will you ....... there are 00,000's being made redundant ... some without pay off ..... nearly all without accomodation offered and nearly all without another job being offered.

charliesaint123 wrote:
this is to update people commenting claiming " oh its okay there given new accomadation" its not as they were offered a flat where they wouldnt be able to take there 6 year old dog which they have had since she was a puppy and to someone who has served in the councill that long and done things like shut the gates clean and look after the toilets which he wasnt even payed for doing then he should have a much better choice i know this is as im there grandson

Here, There wrote:
I agree with Shoong, Lisa and Charlie should not use this public forum to debate something so personal & emotive, certain trolls will bring out the worse in you and it will only dilute your campaign.

mtdiablo wrote:
The TUSC are a loosely held coalition of leftists who are busy accusing each other of being a Trotskyists, southy. They really aren't the saviors of the left you keep championing them as.

ohec wrote:

charliesaint123 wrote:
this is to update people commenting claiming " oh its okay there given new accomadation" its not as they were offered a flat where they wouldnt be able to take there 6 year old dog which they have had since she was a puppy and to someone who has served in the councill that long and done things like shut the gates clean and look after the toilets which he wasnt even payed for doing then he should have a much better choice i know this is as im there grandson

I understand what your saying but a flat is all that they qualify for, yes it would be very nice to give them a house but that would not be fair on all of the families that are currently on the housing list, as for bringing the dog into the debate i think you are on a hiding to nothing, you were getting quite a bit of support on here but i am afraid if its a case of housing a family or a dog the family wins hands down. The offer of accommodation + another job and a nice golden goodbye + a very good pension doesn't seem so bad to me there are a lot of people out there who would give their right arm to be in that position.

Pinguboy wrote:

Lone Ranger. wrote:
What a massive load of knee jerk reactions for x's sake.
.
I feel sympathy for him, ........ but i feel sympathy for anyone made redundant.
.
So what if he has been ther 40 years .. many people are in the same boat ..
.
He will be paid redundacy ..... offered alternative accomodation ...... plus another council position.
.
FFS some of you .... get the real world will you ....... there are 00,000's being made redundant ... some without pay off ..... nearly all without accomodation offered and nearly all without another job being offered.

LR -

What is the real world? Where Loyalty and honesty count for nothing, where the promise of being kept in your home from the very employers who are kicking you out of that home?

Yes Jim has been offered positions, positions that the council KNOW that he cannot fulfil.

Put your feet in Jim's shoes, a 60 year old man, devoting his life to the community, opening your door to grieving loved ones day and night, sitting with them, helping them to the best of his ability, and then being told, the once secure home he lived in, is now being taken away, along with his job.

I don't know, I really wonder about our society, and where was the corner that people turned to be so cynical?

Lone Ranger. wrote:

Pinguboy wrote:

Lone Ranger. wrote:
What a massive load of knee jerk reactions for x's sake.
.
I feel sympathy for him, ........ but i feel sympathy for anyone made redundant.
.
So what if he has been ther 40 years .. many people are in the same boat ..
.
He will be paid redundacy ..... offered alternative accomodation ...... plus another council position.
.
FFS some of you .... get the real world will you ....... there are 00,000's being made redundant ... some without pay off ..... nearly all without accomodation offered and nearly all without another job being offered.

LR -

What is the real world? Where Loyalty and honesty count for nothing, where the promise of being kept in your home from the very employers who are kicking you out of that home?

Yes Jim has been offered positions, positions that the council KNOW that he cannot fulfil.

Put your feet in Jim's shoes, a 60 year old man, devoting his life to the community, opening your door to grieving loved ones day and night, sitting with them, helping them to the best of his ability, and then being told, the once secure home he lived in, is now being taken away, along with his job.

I don't know, I really wonder about our society, and where was the corner that people turned to be so cynical?

Loyalty and honesty dont count for much these days ..... as someone pointed out....... you are just a number on a payroll.
.
Pewrhaps he will be offered a different position ......... He is being offered alternative accomodation ...... and they dont have to.
.
Its not about being cynical it is the "real world" ......
.
You have to ask yourself ....... So 40 years ...... was he paid for it ? Did he do his job ? .......... Was he offered alternative accomodation ? ....
..... was he offered another job .
.
YES to all the above. What the hell more do you want.
.
My father worked at a job for 43 years. = Pay off ( small ) Accomodation = No ........ Another position in the same company = No

mtdiablo wrote:
You really enjoy your elipses don't you loneranger?

Pinguboy wrote:

Lone Ranger. wrote:

Pinguboy wrote:

Lone Ranger. wrote:
What a massive load of knee jerk reactions for x's sake.
.
I feel sympathy for him, ........ but i feel sympathy for anyone made redundant.
.
So what if he has been ther 40 years .. many people are in the same boat ..
.
He will be paid redundacy ..... offered alternative accomodation ...... plus another council position.
.
FFS some of you .... get the real world will you ....... there are 00,000's being made redundant ... some without pay off ..... nearly all without accomodation offered and nearly all without another job being offered.

LR -

What is the real world? Where Loyalty and honesty count for nothing, where the promise of being kept in your home from the very employers who are kicking you out of that home?

Yes Jim has been offered positions, positions that the council KNOW that he cannot fulfil.

Put your feet in Jim's shoes, a 60 year old man, devoting his life to the community, opening your door to grieving loved ones day and night, sitting with them, helping them to the best of his ability, and then being told, the once secure home he lived in, is now being taken away, along with his job.

I don't know, I really wonder about our society, and where was the corner that people turned to be so cynical?

Loyalty and honesty dont count for much these days ..... as someone pointed out....... you are just a number on a payroll.
.
Pewrhaps he will be offered a different position ......... He is being offered alternative accomodation ...... and they dont have to.
.
Its not about being cynical it is the "real world" ......
.
You have to ask yourself ....... So 40 years ...... was he paid for it ? Did he do his job ? .......... Was he offered alternative accomodation ? ....
..... was he offered another job .
.
YES to all the above. What the hell more do you want.
.
My father worked at a job for 43 years. = Pay off ( small ) Accomodation = No ........ Another position in the same company = No

You said it, Loyalty counts for nothing, and people wonder why our country is falling apart!

You obviously are missing what I am writing!

The jobs he has been offered, has been offered knowing he is not able to do these positions because of the skills required!!

So it would seem as if the cancel are 'doing' something, where in fact it's an insult!

Pinguboy wrote:
Wow - I turn my back for 5 minutes!! Guys - Of course emotions are going to run high, this is someone's father and grandfather. The point being, where is the loyalty, where is the 'You will be looked after' promises that Jim was given. Put yourself in Jim's shoes. 60 years old, being offered positions within the council that the council KNOW he does not have the experience to do. Jim knows one thing.....HollyBrook Cemetery. I know, and I understand what some are saying however, but could they not reduce the hiring of three cars per annum to save Jim for his last four years, because this is all it would take?!

Here, There wrote:
I agree with Shoong, Lisa and Charlie should not use this public forum to debate something so personal & emotive, certain trolls will bring out the worse in you and it will only dilute your campaign.

charliesaint123 wrote:

commnurse wrote:
It's all very sad that this man is being made redundant but come people of Southampton... Read between the lines! He is living in a 4 bedroom house with his wife and his dog when there are families in Southampton crammed into inadequate housing. He's had plenty of other job offers and the council have clearly tried to help this man, but he's digging his heels in. Surely if he's lived there all his working life then he knew this day would come, I'm sure he's been offered some sort of financial recompense so in this day and age that's a lot more than some people get.

see thats where your wrong ..he has had job offers but they consist of grave digging which he first done when he was 18 and started the job..he is now 60 .the new flat they have been offered they would not be able to take there dog and 11,000 pound which is six months pay for redundancy package so before commenting learn the full story ..what might make you do that is looking up"hollybrook cemetery redundancy" and you will then know the in depth details of what the council have offered

benkirk78 wrote:

Here, There wrote:
I agree with Shoong, Lisa and Charlie should not use this public forum to debate something so personal & emotive, certain trolls will bring out the worse in you and it will only dilute your campaign.

Having an opinion on a matter isnt trolling. Dear God, you should think before your type.

OceansofRed wrote:
Hold on he is in a 4 bed house for nominal rent!

Nigquick wrote:
Brought up in Southampton where I lived for 30 years and this is the first time I've been ashamed to call it my home! Cuts are fine but let's show some respect to people with a lifetimes commitment.

charliesaint123 wrote:
ok then so just re house the dog they love and have had for 6 years then yeah ??

IronLady2010 wrote:
Some 12 months ago this City was in Chaos trying to save jobs like this. Where are these people now? The Bin men went on strike, to support those earning more than they do, where are they now?
The Parking Attendants went on strike, they are also very quiet when a colleague is in need.

Where are the Union members when you need them ehhhhhh?

I haven't heard no support from the Unions, yet they supported the Bin Men whom most were never affected in the first place.

Come on Unions, stand behind one of your fellow workers!

thinklikealocal wrote:
A few thoughts to share. He is 60 years old and has done this job for 26 years. What did he do up to the age of 34? He says this is all he has known his whole life? Not quite true. He knew the house was tied to the job. Same as those in the armed forces, clergy and many many others. He has been offered a 2 bedroom council flat, hardly being thrown out on the street! Some sympathy yes, worthy of outrage headlines in the local rag - no!

IronLady2010 wrote:

IronLady2010 wrote:
Some 12 months ago this City was in Chaos trying to save jobs like this. Where are these people now? The Bin men went on strike, to support those earning more than they do, where are they now?
The Parking Attendants went on strike, they are also very quiet when a colleague is in need.

Where are the Union members when you need them ehhhhhh?

I haven't heard no support from the Unions, yet they supported the Bin Men whom most were never affected in the first place.

Come on Unions, stand behind one of your fellow workers!

Sorry, I forget, this is one man, hardly a high profile case for Unions to take on.

sass wrote:

charliesaint123 wrote: ok then so just re house the dog they love and have had for 6 years then yeah ??

What is a dog doing in a cemetery?

OceansofRed wrote:
Hold on he is in a 4 bed house for nominal rent!

Walter K wrote:
Strip away the sentimentality and it's quite clear that this is all about the accomodation and the couples' desire not to downsize.

Mike Chivers wrote:
The unsupportive posts here are a salutary reminder that Tories really are the lowest form of life. Always ready to kick the workers trying to serve society rather that the parasites at the top who caused the financial crisis.

Why on earth shouldn't everybody be entitled to a job, a house and a pension? We still live in a relatively wealthy country.

Mike Chivers wrote:
The unsupportive posts here are a salutary reminder that Tories really are the lowest form of life. Always ready to kick the workers trying to serve society rather that the parasites at the top who caused the financial crisis.

Why on earth shouldn't everybody be entitled to a job, a house and a pension? We still live in a relatively wealthy country.

clausentum wrote:

thinklikealocal wrote:
A few thoughts to share. He is 60 years old and has done this job for 26 years. What did he do up to the age of 34? He says this is all he has known his whole life? Not quite true. He knew the house was tied to the job. Same as those in the armed forces, clergy and many many others. He has been offered a 2 bedroom council flat, hardly being thrown out on the street! Some sympathy yes, worthy of outrage headlines in the local rag - no!

I agree. The headline does not match up to the facts and content within the article.

I agree, some sympathy is merited, but only "some".

To lose a home and a job simultaneously is a hard knock to take.

It is not simply the loss of earnings or the loss of accommodation that hurts.

Perhaps more-importantly, it is the sense of sudden loss of personal security which is the real body blow?

As another poster pointed out, the accommodation was not simply their house but their "home" and leaving behind all the memories and sentiments that are invested in a "home" is a real wrench.

Jobs and accommodation are replaceable in the short term if serious effort is put into getting their replacements.

Restoring the sudden loss of personal security takes much longer.

Anyone who suddenly finds themselves faced with one of Life's hard knocks gets my sympathy.

But the article indicates this person is neither homeless nor financially destitute and has alternative housing offered to them. Those facts temper my level of sympathy for their personal plight.

southy wrote:

Mike Chivers wrote:
The unsupportive posts here are a salutary reminder that Tories really are the lowest form of life. Always ready to kick the workers trying to serve society rather that the parasites at the top who caused the financial crisis.

Why on earth shouldn't everybody be entitled to a job, a house and a pension? We still live in a relatively wealthy country.

Mike you mean Capitalist its not just the Torys, Labour also.

The way I look at it, any Political and Economic Policy system in place and I don't care what it is, for it to work and work correctly that system owes every one a Job for life, Free Education, Roof over there heads, and food in there belly, a pension at the end of the working life and good welfare and healh system, like the NHS.

ohec wrote:
So lets have some facts he must have realised that the house went with the job and as such on retirement he would have to move out because had the job still existed they would have required the house for his replacement, whatever plans the council have for the house that is there business-and and totally irrelevant as far as Jim is concerned. I accept the fact that he has done a good job and done much more than was required by the council but with all due respect that was done off his own back and freewill, the only issue the council are interested in is the hours Jim was contracted for and that is the only issue. All council tenants are aware of the type of tenancy they hold it is not a secret, so at the end of the day all they are doing is asking him to move 4 years earlier than he should have expected to move, and with the current housing shortage it is totally unrealistic to think he would be offered anything other than a flat. So instead of his family moaning and groaning on here i suggest they start being realistic and support Jim & Lorayne in their new life and i hope they will be happy.

ohec wrote:
So lets have some facts he must have realised that the house went with the job and as such on retirement he would have to move out because had the job still existed they would have required the house for his replacement, whatever plans the council have for the house that is there business-and and totally irrelevant as far as Jim is concerned.
I accept the fact that he has done a good job and done much more than was required by the council but with all due respect that was done off his own back and freewill, the only issue the council are interested in is the hours Jim was contracted for and that is the only issue. All council tenants are aware of the type of tenancy they hold it is not a secret, so at the end of the day all they are doing is asking him to move 4 years earlier than he should have expected to move, and with the current housing shortage it is totally unrealistic to think he would be offered anything other than a flat. So instead of his family moaning and groaning on here i suggest they start being realistic and support Jim & Lorayne in their new life and i hope they will be happy.

Lone Ranger. wrote:

Pinguboy wrote:

Lone Ranger. wrote:
What a massive load of knee jerk reactions for x's sake.
.
I feel sympathy for him, ........ but i feel sympathy for anyone made redundant.
.
So what if he has been ther 40 years .. many people are in the same boat ..
.
He will be paid redundacy ..... offered alternative accomodation ...... plus another council position.
.
FFS some of you .... get the real world will you ....... there are 00,000's being made redundant ... some without pay off ..... nearly all without accomodation offered and nearly all without another job being offered.

LR -

What is the real world? Where Loyalty and honesty count for nothing, where the promise of being kept in your home from the very employers who are kicking you out of that home?

Yes Jim has been offered positions, positions that the council KNOW that he cannot fulfil.

Put your feet in Jim's shoes, a 60 year old man, devoting his life to the community, opening your door to grieving loved ones day and night, sitting with them, helping them to the best of his ability, and then being told, the once secure home he lived in, is now being taken away, along with his job.

I don't know, I really wonder about our society, and where was the corner that people turned to be so cynical?

Loyalty and honesty dont count for much these days ..... as someone pointed out....... you are just a number on a payroll.
.
Pewrhaps he will be offered a different position ......... He is being offered alternative accomodation ...... and they dont have to.
.
Its not about being cynical it is the "real world" ......
.
You have to ask yourself ....... So 40 years ...... was he paid for it ? Did he do his job ? .......... Was he offered alternative accomodation ? ....
..... was he offered another job .
.
YES to all the above. What the hell more do you want.
.
My father worked at a job for 43 years. = Pay off ( small ) Accomodation = No ........ Another position in the same company = No