And this was not the case exclusively in the public sector. This perverse practice of the employer paying the wages of the union bosses is the rule in the public sector. Full-time union activism, which includes disregard for work rules, is no obstacle to career progression in the public sector. This type of behaviour is widespread in the public sector; union officials considering themselves untouchable, not without reason – public service bosses are afraid to take them on. He set an example for everyone in the public service to follow, making it clear that union officials are not untouchables.