Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

Strikes how do unions work?

128 replies

alasangne · 09/12/2022 19:56

I've never been in a union there isn't one for my profession. How do they work? Are all the royal mail post people automatically put in a union when they join? And if they don't want to strike do they have to or the union fires them?

OP posts:
Threadkillacilla · 09/12/2022 19:58

No you choose to be in a union, they don't fire you but if you are breaking the strike you wouldn't be popular.

StrawberryPot · 09/12/2022 19:58

No - you can't force someone to join a union. People choose to. Even if you are a union member you don't have to go on strike.

Original poster
alasangne · 09/12/2022 19:59

Ah right so there will be royal mail workers not on strike as they aren't in a union then?

OP posts:

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Jobs
Threadkillacilla · 09/12/2022 20:01

There probably won't be union non strikers, the solidarity is pretty much the power of unions but there may be non union workers.

AnchorWHAT · 09/12/2022 20:03

Nope, any job that has a union that represents them the individual chooses whether or not to join that union. The union then gives representation and protection to the member once they join, that can be support if there are any issues in the workplace, support at anything like a disciplinary, advice on HR issues, pay issues, anything really. Often there is free legal advice as part of the membership and of course full on member support for things like pay disputes hence the strike issue. I always supported my union when i was working and did get a bit pissed off with people who actively said oh no i would never join a union yet were always happy to accept a pay rise that union members fought for.

Threadkillacilla · 09/12/2022 20:05

Even non union members will join the strike if they agree with it, they aren't supposed to sack people for joining strike if a strike has been called.

Original poster
alasangne · 09/12/2022 20:09

Threadkillacilla · 09/12/2022 20:05

Even non union members will join the strike if they agree with it, they aren't supposed to sack people for joining strike if a strike has been called.

Ok so they can strike even not in a union that's good to know

OP posts:
Chesneyhawkes1 · 09/12/2022 20:11

The union can't fire you. They don't have that power.

When I joined my profession, I was given a choice to join the union. At my place of work we are 100% membered.

I chose to join as the current terms and conditions which I enjoy were not given to us out of the goodness of my employers heart - they were fought and negotiated for by our Union.

If we have a ballot and the result is a vote to strike - whether or not I agree with the result - I will strike. That is how it works. Strength in numbers. We stick together.

We have recently had a ballot and the result was published a few days ago. Therefore whatever action the Union deem necessary next, I will abide by.

Threadkillacilla · 09/12/2022 20:12

It's always best to be in the union, you'd be surprised how much help they offer. Mine is even offering winter fuel payments!
have a look for a general union of you can't find an industry specific there will be one to take you.

Gwenhwyfar · 09/12/2022 20:15

I think 'closed shop' (forcing people to join the union) is illegal now.
Obviously, you will be more motivated to join a union if your sector is well represented and if there is a shop steward in your workplace, but everybody should really.

fuckweasel · 09/12/2022 20:19

alasangne · 09/12/2022 20:09

Ok so they can strike even not in a union that's good to know

Show quote history

No, you can't strike if not in the striking union.

Threadkillacilla · 09/12/2022 20:22

fuckweasel · 09/12/2022 20:19

No, you can't strike if not in the striking union.

Show quote history

Industrial action by non-union members
Non-union members who take part in legal, official industrial action have the same rights as union members not to be dismissed as a result of taking action.

www.gov.uk/industrial-action-strikes/your-employment-rights-during-industrial-action

Yeah you can.

anythinginapinch · 09/12/2022 20:28

Jesus Christ

Threadkillacilla · 09/12/2022 20:29

anythinginapinch · 09/12/2022 20:28

Jesus Christ

Think he was in Unison.

Original poster
alasangne · 09/12/2022 20:30

anythinginapinch · 09/12/2022 20:28

Jesus Christ

What's he got to do with it?

OP posts:
Original poster
alasangne · 09/12/2022 20:30

Thanks everyone. It all seems a bit mysterious to me. I shall look at general unions.

OP posts:
Gwenhwyfar · 09/12/2022 20:31

Interesting question about religion and unions. Hardly any connection in the UK as far as I know, but some other countries were traditionally divided between socialist and Christian-social unions.

Aramox · 09/12/2022 20:33

You don't get paid on strike. A surprising number of people seem not to know this.

Original poster
alasangne · 09/12/2022 20:34

Aramox · 09/12/2022 20:33

You don't get paid on strike. A surprising number of people seem not to know this.

How do they know you are on strike and not off for other reasons? Do they ask you

OP posts:
Original poster
alasangne · 09/12/2022 20:35

Gwenhwyfar · 09/12/2022 20:31

Interesting question about religion and unions. Hardly any connection in the UK as far as I know, but some other countries were traditionally divided between socialist and Christian-social unions.

Ah so JC does have something to do with it!

OP posts:
MarshaBradyo · 09/12/2022 20:36

Threadkillacilla · 09/12/2022 20:29

Think he was in Unison.

Show quote history

😂

Farahilda · 09/12/2022 20:36

fuckweasel · 09/12/2022 20:19

No, you can't strike if not in the striking union.

Show quote history

You can if you are not in any union, provided that the strike you are supporting has been legally called. You get the same protections as unionised strikers.

If you are in a different union, then obviously you follow what your union has collectively decided.

Secondary strike action and flying pickets are no longer allowed

Original poster
alasangne · 09/12/2022 20:38

Secondary strike action and flying pickets are no longer allowed what's this

OP posts:
Threadkillacilla · 09/12/2022 20:38

alasangne · 09/12/2022 20:35

Ah so JC does have something to do with it!

Show quote history

Careful, the other JC (Mr Corbyn) is also heavily involved 😁

ICouldHaveCheckedFirst · 09/12/2022 20:39

Where I worked, staff were asked to state if they were striking, admin staff had to return names of striking staff to management/HR, who passed the names on to Payroll, so they didn't get paid for days they were on strike.
Many years ago I went on strike, and as well as not getting paid, my length of service was reduced by the number of days I was on strike for. Does this still apply, does anybody know?