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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:
Brefugee · 27/01/2023 08:13

(as an aside, what are the union fees like in the UK? i see lots of people saying they're exhorbitant. Mine are about EUR 35 a month which is a percentage of my salary)

Original poster
Boneweary · 27/01/2023 08:13

It would be very unwise for me to strike at the moment: it would break my continuous service for SMP. It’s a relief that I’m in the Union that isn’t striking, to be honest.

OP posts:
Brefugee · 27/01/2023 08:15

as i said, how lovely, OP, that someone risked their job so you can have SMP. It's a personal decision, of course.

PurBal · 27/01/2023 08:15

@Boneweary Re your maternity pay: when is you qualifying week? My EWC is 11 June so my qualifying week is 15 weeks prior, 26 February. Therefore my January and February paydays (because I get paid monthly on 21st) will be taken into consideration for my maternity pay (I only get statutory but I think you get more as a teacher). You don’t want your income to drop at all during those 8 weeks or you’ll maternity pay could be affected. I can’t help with anything regarding striking, but hopefully this is some clarification for maternity pay.

Teafor1please · 27/01/2023 08:17

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!

Not according to the union the op is in.
You aren't crossing the picket line when it's not your union op.

RidingMyBike · 27/01/2023 08:21

I got very worried about this - imagining scenes out of Billy Elliott - then on the day I couldn't even find the picket line! Turns out it was 3 people at the other entrance. I then found most of the union officials already at work...

My union (I'm not a teacher) also made it clear that the advice was don't strike at certain points in pregnancy because of the potential impact on maternity pay. They should provide this advice?

PurBal · 27/01/2023 08:21

@Brefugee I think your comment about SMP is ill considered. I still have to pay for a roof over my head, energy, food etc as does the OP. I only get SMP, so my income drops by about 75%. Every penny counts and DH can’t make up that shortfall.

katmarie · 27/01/2023 08:23

I've been on a few picket lines in my time, in an organisation which had more than one union and only my union striking. You don't have to cross the picket line, but if you do want to go into work, you should not be harassed for doing that. The people on the picket line will most likely be union reps and very engaged members who will know the rules around organising pickets and who should not give you any trouble. Anyone who does give you a problem should be reported back to the senior union rep, as the last thing they need is bad behaviour on a picket bringing the action and the union into disrepute.

Regarding your maternity, you should in theory be protected against detriment if you take part in legally organised strike action. However it may have an impact on your overall maternity pay calculation so you are wise to be cautious there. If you really did want to take part I'd suggest you talk to your union and get advice on that before making a decision. But it's absolutely fine not to take part.

If you want to support your colleagues in other ways you can. Sign petitions, bring them a cuppa and a biscuit, take a leaflet if they offer it to you. Wish them luck and be positive about their efforts. Its all appreciated.

Original poster
Boneweary · 27/01/2023 08:29

Good to know - thanks. The main issue is I think there will be pressure to join the NEU, as NASUWT are in a minority at our place, and I don’t want to do this - variety of reasons. I didn’t actually vote to strike, and I’m not in the union that is striking.

OP posts:
Tickledtrout · 27/01/2023 08:32

You're in nasuwt and your union has voted not to strike, so striking is not an option for you on that day. You can give verbal support, take drinks etc. Your striking head will know as non striking staff are required to sign in and account for their day's work wherever they are.
For anyone else in NEU concerned about mat benefits/pension there is always an option to cover your strike days with a single payment to maintain continuous service ( as there is for up to a week I think when you switch jobs etc.). It's one of the reasons strike days are broken up into single days.

watcherintherye · 27/01/2023 08:32

From NASUWT:
Crossing a picket line does not undermine other unions taking part in industrial action and all unions will advise their members to report for work when another union is taking industrial action. The NASUWT insists that members should not undermine industrial action by other unions.
Members can ensure they do not undermine colleagues in other unions by ensuring that they:

(To paraphrase)

  1. Don’t co-operate with employers by confirming whether or not they belong to a striking union or will be in on a strike day,

  2. Don’t cover striking colleagues.

  3. Don’t do supply on a strike day.

Brefugee · 27/01/2023 08:37

I only get SMP, so my income drops by about 75%. Every penny counts and DH can’t make up that shortfall.

no i get it. But how lucky we are that in the past some people fought for this right. I am pointing out that these things don't happen by chance.
So yes, work and make sure you don't fall short on SMP. But remember next time a strike happens and you can join in. Pay it forward, if you will.

Millana · 27/01/2023 08:44

At our place they are opening a different entrance so that staff can go to work but not cross the picket.

The staff on our picket line would never, ever make anyone going to work feel horrible but "crossing the picket line" is a symbolic gesture which a lot of people don't want to make.

I'd imagine lots of places will have a "back door" for people to use if they want to.

Original poster
Boneweary · 27/01/2023 08:47

I think you’ve explained that well, @Millana - thanks.

OP posts:
RidingMyBike · 27/01/2023 08:51

I tend to drop some biscuits off to picket lines - there have been a couple near where I live - and the people have been friendly and I didn't see any sign of intimidation to the people who seemed to be going past!

GreetingsToTheNewBrunette · 27/01/2023 08:51

is it different for teachers? I’ve been told that even those not in the union can still strike - not teacher but still public sector.

Millana · 27/01/2023 08:52

As others have said, you can strike even if you are not in the striking union. As long as the strike is legal, then anyone can join in.

Some unions also have "strike funds" which can offer financial support for striking members. I don't think you'd get all your pay but if you want to strike but can't because of pay, it might be worthI looking at.

ThreeFeetTall · 27/01/2023 08:54

I've always thought if I were in your situation I would find I had a very long dentist appointment which could t be moved or might happen to have picked up a 24 stomach flu. Which would be a terrible coincidence of course

Millana · 27/01/2023 08:55

I don't know if my children's schools will be striking.

I'll be doing a shift on a picket line myself but there are some schools near me so I might pop along with provisions on the way.

Original poster
Boneweary · 27/01/2023 08:58

ThreeFeetTall · 27/01/2023 08:54

I've always thought if I were in your situation I would find I had a very long dentist appointment which could t be moved or might happen to have picked up a 24 stomach flu. Which would be a terrible coincidence of course

The issue with this is that it’s very morally dubious because you are getting paid while colleagues are not.

And getting authorised leave for a dental appointment in term time would never happen at my place.

OP posts:
Original poster
Boneweary · 27/01/2023 08:59

@Millana i have seen a few posters claim this - it doesn’t affect me as I won’t be striking but just to pass on the knowledge the NEU are not providing hardship funds for anyone on strike.

OP posts:
Millana · 27/01/2023 09:04

Thanks @Boneweary

As I say, I know some are so it's always worth checking😊.

Millana · 27/01/2023 09:09

Actually @Boneweary

A quick Google shows NEU DO offer "sustentation payments". It might be locality based and probably has various provisos but there may be financial support available. It's not my union so I don't know the details.

RidingMyBike · 27/01/2023 09:10

The hardship funds are variable. Don't depend on it without checking what is available. My union only offered it from the third day of striking and it would have only been a small proportion of my daily wage plus wasn't guaranteed at all.They weren't interested when I pointed out it was only about a third of my daily childcare bill.

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