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AIBU?

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Original poster

Breaking the NHS picket line

105 replies

helpidkwhattodopls · 28/10/2025 08:40

I work in the NHS, non-clinical. Obviously there are junior doctor strikes coming up and I’m fully in support of them, but I have no choice but to go to work during the strikes. I can’t afford to take time off.

Our manager has given us a warning and said that we shouldn’t be taking the main route into the hospital during the strikes as apparently the striking staff can be very angry at you for breaking the picket. But I have no choice, I don’t drive into work so I have to go this way.

AIBU to ask what the hell I should do?????

OP posts:
HappySeven · 28/10/2025 08:49

You're not breaking the picket line if you're not a doctor. I work in the NHS and have never received abuse even from colleagues when walking past their picket and I doubt you will either as you are not on strike.

Original poster
helpidkwhattodopls · 28/10/2025 08:49

SockQueen · 28/10/2025 08:47

I've been a striking junior doctor (back in the 2016 round of industrial action) and am now a consultant covering the strikes. I have never seen anything like this and don't know where your managers have got this from. Of course the striking doctors realise that the vast majority of hospital staff are not striking and have to go to work as normal. You're not crossing a picket line if your role is not on strike! I've heard of some antipathy from members of the public towards the picket lines, but never from the strikers towards workers. This isn't the 80s with miners throwing rocks at "scabs."

In my hospital the picket is away from the main clinical entrance and usually very small.

This is what she’s said, having experienced other strikes at this hospital

OP posts:
SockQueen · 28/10/2025 08:47

I've been a striking junior doctor (back in the 2016 round of industrial action) and am now a consultant covering the strikes. I have never seen anything like this and don't know where your managers have got this from. Of course the striking doctors realise that the vast majority of hospital staff are not striking and have to go to work as normal. You're not crossing a picket line if your role is not on strike! I've heard of some antipathy from members of the public towards the picket lines, but never from the strikers towards workers. This isn't the 80s with miners throwing rocks at "scabs."

In my hospital the picket is away from the main clinical entrance and usually very small.

Original poster
helpidkwhattodopls · 28/10/2025 08:45

ELO10538 · 28/10/2025 08:43

Sorry, I don't understand. There's clearly more than one way into the hospital, so why do you have to go in the main way?

the only other ways in aren’t on public transport routes - so I’d have to walk over an hour to get to them

OP posts:
ELO10538 · 28/10/2025 08:43

Sorry, I don't understand. There's clearly more than one way into the hospital, so why do you have to go in the main way?