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Original poster

Crossing a picket line

121 replies

Boneweary · 27/01/2023 07:41

Although I’ve been teaching for twenty years now this is actually the first strike that’s affected me. There was one I vaguely remember from 2011, I think, but it wasn’t a big affair at my school.

A picket line is being arranged at my school. I think I am possibly misunderstanding the language - I presume they are literally going to be rallying support and awareness and won’t physically stop me going in. But is the expectation that they are there to discourage staff going in? Probably seems like a daft question but I don’t want to annoy my colleagues: equally I don’t want to break the terms of my contract!

OP posts:
MotherOfCrocodiles · 27/01/2023 07:42

If you are not in the striking union you can't legally strike

Maireas · 27/01/2023 07:43

They're just making a point. There will be no harassment or intimidation.
Go to work as normal if that is your choice.

Goneblank38 · 27/01/2023 07:43

Don't cross the pocket line.

alwayscrashinginthesamecar1 · 27/01/2023 07:44

Don't cross the picket line.

MotherOfCrocodiles · 27/01/2023 07:44

I think crossing the picket line is when you are in the striking union but decide not to strike. It would probably in spirit cover anything you did to undermine the strike (like covering a striking colleagues work). Obviously the latter can be tricky to work out what you legally and morally should do

underneaththeash · 27/01/2023 07:45

alwayscrashinginthesamecar1 · 27/01/2023 07:44

Don't cross the picket line.

Why? If the OP isn't in the union she can't strike anyway. Even if she is, she is allowed her on opinion on whether to strike or not.

Original poster
Boneweary · 27/01/2023 07:46

I know @MotherOfCrocodiles but I’m not sure if I’m supposed to cross a picket line, either. I know they wouldn’t dream of harassing me or intimidating me intentionally but I have been feeling a bit of pressure to switch unions (I don’t want to) and also I need to be careful as I will start maternity leave in June and so striking could affect my maternity pay. I have to admit I haven’t read too closely about it but I remember a colleague who was pregnant in 2011 talking about it then.

OP posts:
Fleabigg · 27/01/2023 07:46

I’ve been in to work through a picket line before because I was not in the striking union. There were about 3 people there out of several 1000 striking staff, the rest were treating it as an unpaid day off. The people who were there did challenge me and then try to persuade me to join the union once I explained I wasn’t in it, but there was of course no harassment.

Original poster
Boneweary · 27/01/2023 07:47

@underneaththeash i think there is something in the Union literature I have seen that says not to cross a picket line or that I don’t have to. I don’t know how the HT would know who isn’t coming in due to picket line and who is actually striking, though!

OP posts:
Scarecrowrowboat · 27/01/2023 07:47

I'm assuming you're not in the striking union in which case you still have to go to work. No they shouldn't be stopping you from going in or trying to intimidate.

TheChosenTwo · 27/01/2023 07:49

Are you a member of the striking union? If not, it’s a work day and you are expected to be there. I wouldn’t have thought anyone in the picket line will harass you.

Maireas · 27/01/2023 07:49

@Boneweary - if you've read the information, it should be clear. Your union rep should have clarified the situation. Also your SLT and or school trust.
If you're unsure, talk to your Union rep again or the headteacher.

Original poster
Boneweary · 27/01/2023 07:51

The HT isn’t someone we really have casual chats with! We don’t have a union rep for NASUWT, I did read some info online and it said something like ‘you are not expected to cross a picket line.’

It really depends on how many are there I suppose!

OP posts:
JuneOsborne · 27/01/2023 07:52

You absolutely can strike if you're not in the union as long as it's a legal strike.

You won't be paid, but you're protected from dismissal just like unionised strikers.

TheHauntedPencilCase · 27/01/2023 07:53

I've been on several picket lines, we don't stop people going in, non strikers would chat to us and on occasion bring a hot drink. I feel very uncomfortable having to walk past a picket line next weds as I support strikers but I'm not in that union so nothing I can do. Although personally I won't take part in a picket again.

TypicalCoach · 27/01/2023 07:54

MotherOfCrocodiles · 27/01/2023 07:42

If you are not in the striking union you can't legally strike

Sigh

To you and all you thickos who make this stuff up, Jesus christ.

YES YOU CAN STRIKE,YOU JUST CANT VOTE FOR IT

www.gov.uk/if-your-business-faces-industrial-action/nonunion-employees-and-strikes#:~:text=Non%2Dunion%20staff%20and%20striking,the%20industrial%20action%20is%20lawful.

TheMildManneredMilitant · 27/01/2023 07:54

If you are in the striking union then it's considered bad form to cross the picket and work that day but you could still choose to do so.

If you aren't but the strike is called legally I think you can still strike and have the same legal protections as those in the union but there is less peer pressure to do so.

If you don't go into work that day it would be classed as unauthorised absence and you don't get paid.

Forever42 · 27/01/2023 07:55

If you are in NASUWT your union is not striking so you have to go in. You're not crossing your union's picket line.

The picket line is likely just a public demonstration. However, if you have support staff members in the NEU who aren't striking because their ballot didn't reach the threshold, I believe they can refuse to cross (although presumably would lose pay).

2Old2BABPpresenter · 27/01/2023 07:56

Your colleagues aren’t going to harass you on a picket line, they may jokingly but only if you’re very good friends with them as there are rules around this. If your union hasn’t met the mandate to strike then you’re legally blind by your contract. Try not to over think it. Maybe take some snacks or a flask for the picket line.

MelchiorsMistress · 27/01/2023 07:59

As long as your colleagues aren’t a bunch of complete arseholes, there should be no problem with you going into work while others are striking.

JessicaBrassica · 27/01/2023 08:04

Go in, take them out a hot drink in solidarity at break time ?

Zippy1510 · 27/01/2023 08:08

I’ve had to cross the picket line before an a non UCU member but university lecturer. Generally I’m just handed a leaflet. I did get get yelled at once by someone I didn’t know. To which I told her I couldn’t afford to pay the ridiculous membership fees to they could pay the union heads six figure salaries.

aramox1 · 27/01/2023 08:09

You CAN strike if you're not in the union. You're still protected. People should stop spreading misinformation about this!

Brefugee · 27/01/2023 08:10

If you're not in the union that is striking you can't strike. You could take a day off if that's possible (probably not as a teacher) to show solidarity.

You may get called a scab, people might be mean to you, i doubt they'll spit or throw rocks or something.

[Pity that the unions aren't all striking though. Presumably you benefit from things (eg Mat leave) that were a hard won fight by union members before us]

IneffableGenderFairy · 27/01/2023 08:11

Or head sent an email clarifying the legal position.

You can strike if you are a member of the union which organised the strike, or if you aren't in any union, but are sympathetic; under these circumstances you are protected from dismissal.

If you are in a different union and join the strike, you don't have the same legal protection.

HOWEVER, the school are not supposed to ask you which union you belong to, and you have no legal obligation to tell them, so it's really up to you.