By Jason M

Some Commonwealth public service jobs strangely have a working day that finishes at 4.51pm - rather than 5pm. 

The Government wants that work day to go another 9 minutes ...and there's talk of industrial action:

An extra nine minutes daily would take the average working week at the ATO from 36 hours and 45 minutes to 37.5 hours.

The change would add another three hours at work each month or 39 hours a year.

This is my favourite bit. 

The Australian Services Union, which represents Tax Office staff, said adding nine minutes a day would be like taking away a week of annual leave.

"It's like asking people to work another five and a third days a year," ASU tax branch secretary Jeff Lapidos said. 

Both my parents worked in the public sector - so I know that plenty of public servants are anything but clock watchers. 

But statements like these from the Australian Services Union are an insight into why union membership is in serious decline in the community. 

At a time when people in many industries will do anything to keep their jobs and their businesses alive, it is insulting to be arguing and complaining over a few minutes. 

Remember, many public servants typically enjoy automatic, often unquestioned CPI annual payrises.

By contrast, it's not uncommon for privately employed staff to stay on the same money for years.

Public service workers, on average earn more than private employees according to the ABS and enjoy far better unspoken conditions.

It's time a few people grew up. 

Workin' 9 to 4.51 ... what a way to make a livin'