rules on crossing a picket line.

[mumnosbest]

If you Don't want to cross a picket line at school, do you loose a days pay?

[OverAndAbove]

Yes - you will have been deemed to join the strike. If it is just that you feel uncomfortable, you can ask to be accompanied I to work. But you'll still be crossing the picket line.

[strawberryangel]

I think you'd also face disciplinary, as you wouldn't be striking legally, you'd simply be refusing to work for no valid reason. This is why most schools don't have picket lines- we're generally striking against the government, rather than the school itself.

If you want to join the strike, then join the striking union.

[mumnosbest]

It's not my union as I'm in teaching union so can't join unison but just wondered.

[catsofa]

Some terrible bugs go round on strike days.

[mumnosbest]

like your thinking.

[CatKisser]

Depending on which members of staff are striking, (cooks, etc) your school may not even be open.

[bloodyteenagers]

If it's not your Union you have to go in.
If you pull a sicky, they aren't stupid and are aware that people try and pull this so they get paid. Any absence in our school is treated as a strike day.

[bloodyteenagers]

Ours closes to students. Non strikers have to go in. Not all of our staff are in any Union.

[catsofa]

BTW your own union will be able to advise on your own situation.

[chilephilly]

No reason why you shouldn't join Unison, but you should join on or before the strike day. Do you know why they are taking action? If you are worried about crossing a picket line due to intimidation issues, this is unlawful and you should call the police.
I'm a Union rep, btw.

[PinkSquash]

IIRC, if you're not a member of a union you can join the picketers and lose pay accordingly- if you're in a non-striking union you have to work as normal. Or it works with DHs Union

[chilephilly]

Not so, Pinksquash. If your union has called a strike you should strike. If you are a different union from the one taking strike action or not in a union at all, and you want to take strike action, you MUST join the union taking action. If you aren't in the union taking action, and you don't join, but you still take strike action by refusing to cross the picket line, you are in breach of contract and could be disciplined.
I've just read that back - it makes sense to me but doesn't read well at all!

[PinkSquash]

chile That makes sense to me! Interesting in regards to DHs colleague who walks out in solidarity when he's non-union. DHs other colleagues who are in other unions do what they've balloted.

Picketing seems simple but it is so complex really behind the scenes

[chilephilly]

Your DH's colleague is lucky to have got away with it so far!!
I've led strike action in my organisation but I've never dared have a picket line, mainly because I wouldn't trust myself not to get cross with the scabs..

[tethersend]

A head teacher may decide to close the school if enough teachers say they will refuse to cross a picket line.

[mumnosbest]

I wouldn't feel intimidated but more empathy for them. I would like to not cross the line to show my support. I find it so frustrating that there are so many unions in one line of work. I agree we need choice but unless unions back eachother up it feels like a case of divide and conquer :(

[TheFallenMadonna]

I think you can strike in support of a striking union. I'm sure I read it in some advice before the last strike day. You would be unpaid though, of course.

[TheFallenMadonna]

Maybe not!

[BaffledSomeMore]

I'm not a teacher but am public sector. If we are sick on a strike day then we have to present evidence from a GP etc. You can't just ring in with a stomach bug. How that works in practice I can't tell you.

[catsofa]

I suspect it doesn't work and is an empty threat because there isn't actually anything they can do. My GP does not issue sick notes for less than 7 days, and my previous GP didn't either. I know this because my employer tried to "remove the right to self certify", but then I couldn't be certified at all. Do check you know your employer's sick policy though as this will not be different on strike days, e.g. some do not pay for your first day off sick.

If you strike when you're not in the relevant union you are not officially striking, you're just not turning up for work. I would expect that to result in disciplinary action if you were not sick and had not followed sick procedures.

Joining the relevant union the day before the strike does not help, you need to have been balloted and your name submitted by the union to the employer as one of those who will be striking some considerable time before the action. It was all made insanely, impractically difficult to do by Thatcher, and of course Labour then did nothing to make it easier/more logical when they had the chance either.

[chilephilly]

I'm a Union rep catsofa.
Strikers have to be members of the striking Union. The Union has to have been balloted. Strikers can join on the day if they wish.
I NEVER give names of striking members to my employer as the only legal requirement is for the Union to give 5 days notice of strike action. I give written notice that the Union has called a strike and how many members I have on the day I write the letter.

[Fairyfellowsmasterstroke]

I have a question - my union has asked us to strike.

Do I call the school on the morning of the strike and tell them that I'm striking or do I simply not turn up????

Never been on strike before and not too sure of the protocol!!!

[OverAndAbove]

If you are in the striking union, then you just don't turn up. The union will have notified the employer as to how many members there are (but not individual names, as above) and the employer will have prepared accordingly. Some employees do let their managers know in advance, to help planning, but many don't.

[chilephilly]

What our place does is they have a tick list and you have to sign in to be paid. (I think - I've always been on action!!)