Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

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

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:
barneshome · 27/01/2023 09:12

Goneblank38 · 27/01/2023 07:43

Don't cross the pocket line.

Cross it - you are not in a union you could face disciplinary

Original poster
Boneweary · 27/01/2023 09:16

Re the hardship funds - this was from a thread on here. It’s just one of those FYIs because there are a lot of posters who do seem to assume they can access a hardship fund if needed.

Crossing a picket line
OP posts:
Millana · 27/01/2023 09:17

If there is a legal strike at your place of work, you CAN strike even if you aren't part of a/that union. You cannot be disciplined for joining a legal strike.

If you don't want to strike and are uncomfortable crossing the picket line, ask your employer what other entrances are available for you to use.

JenniferBarkley · 27/01/2023 09:22

I never thought I'd cross a picket line - then I became a lecturer and it's practically a weekly occurrence. It will depend on your workplace and your colleagues - there is very little support for the strikes and even those on the picket have no problems with the rest of us going in. Other departments are a lot more militant.

Btw - going in the back door is still crossing the picket! Just a less uncomfortable way of doing it (and the one I choose where possible).

Millana · 27/01/2023 09:23

@Boneweary
Yes, the trust fund is different to sustentation payments.

If you look into it, NEU has asked branches to set up sustentation funds. Not all will have done but I think Dudley has and there are others.

Obviously, don't strike on the assumption you'll get anything but do check before assuming you won't so can't strike.

As ever, do your own fact checking before doing believing someone on the Internet, whether that is @Boneweary or me! 😉

Millana · 27/01/2023 09:26

@JenniferBarkley I agree that the back door is still crossing the picket line but it is less symbolic/visible. If I wasn't striking, I would go in through the fire exit too! 🤣

Brefugee · 27/01/2023 10:00

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

as OP said, morally dubious. I mean abusing one hard won (by unions) thing in order to not cross a picket line is immoral.

daisybrown37 · 27/01/2023 10:58

TypicalCoach · 27/01/2023 07:54

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.

Show quote history

Not sure why you are calling people thick? The OP is in a non striking union, she can’t strike as they did not get the votes. She would not be protected. So what was said is correct for her.

Non union members can refuse to cross the picket line are protected.

KnittedCardi · 27/01/2023 11:13

There is nothing wrong with asking the question. Many people, in fact the majority in the private sector, do not belong to unions and know nothing about them. I have applied to work in a school, but would never join a union and therefore would never go on strike, and therefore would cross a picket line.

limitedperiodonly · 27/01/2023 11:17

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.

Things people say on the internet that never happened #101

Brefugee · 27/01/2023 11:17

I have applied to work in a school, but would never join a union and therefore would never go on strike, and therefore would cross a picket line.

why wouldn't you join a union? Enjoy your weekend, paid sick leave, maternity leave etc, eh? how do you think those things came about?

VariationsonaTheme · 27/01/2023 11:24

KnittedCardi · 27/01/2023 11:13

There is nothing wrong with asking the question. Many people, in fact the majority in the private sector, do not belong to unions and know nothing about them. I have applied to work in a school, but would never join a union and therefore would never go on strike, and therefore would cross a picket line.

Even if you don’t join a union, please make sure you have appropriate legal and casework cover for any issues. These are very, very common with school staff.

LlynTegid · 27/01/2023 11:24

Your union has not called a strike, so go in. Perhaps going via a different entrance so you are not seeing to snub your colleagues.

Brefugee · 27/01/2023 11:37

Even if you don’t join a union, please make sure you have appropriate legal and casework cover for any issues. These are very, very common with school staff.

my union fees cover all this for way less than the equivalent legal insurance (not in UK so may be different)

ImmigrantAlice · 27/01/2023 11:43

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

I’m glad we don’t have unions in our business, or have to deal with employees who’d do this.

MarshaBradyo · 27/01/2023 11:45

KnittedCardi · 27/01/2023 11:13

There is nothing wrong with asking the question. Many people, in fact the majority in the private sector, do not belong to unions and know nothing about them. I have applied to work in a school, but would never join a union and therefore would never go on strike, and therefore would cross a picket line.

Very true. Only private sector here and unions are not used. HR protect the company so adhere to law.

Brefugee · 27/01/2023 11:50

Only private sector here and unions are not used. HR protect the company so adhere to law.

what does that even mean? Unions are there to protect their members. There doesn't have to be a union or a rep in the workplace, everyone (with very few exceptions and they know who they are) can join an appropriate union.

Mine has been very helpful, it came as a shock to my employer (private sector) when they tried to shaft me over something, that my union handled it. It wasn't bad tempered, it wasn't angry, it was a legally watertight letter from my union to the company pointing out the mistake they were trying to make. It was settled amicably and i continued to work there for quite a long time.

MarshaBradyo · 27/01/2023 11:56

Brefugee · 27/01/2023 11:50

Only private sector here and unions are not used. HR protect the company so adhere to law.

what does that even mean? Unions are there to protect their members. There doesn't have to be a union or a rep in the workplace, everyone (with very few exceptions and they know who they are) can join an appropriate union.

Mine has been very helpful, it came as a shock to my employer (private sector) when they tried to shaft me over something, that my union handled it. It wasn't bad tempered, it wasn't angry, it was a legally watertight letter from my union to the company pointing out the mistake they were trying to make. It was settled amicably and i continued to work there for quite a long time.

It’s just not used it’s absent from my sector.

I know public sector it’s the norm but it’s just not usual and HR is the go to.

limitedperiodonly · 27/01/2023 12:06

Very true. Only private sector here and unions are not used. HR protect the company so adhere to law.

@MarshaBradyo What does this mean? I have always worked in the private sector and have always belonged to a union. I have had many employers but just one union.

During one dispute HR very much did not adhere to the law which was costly to the company they were supposed to be protecting. I think it was more incompetence than malice but who knows? Our union sorted it out for us.

VariationsonaTheme · 27/01/2023 12:06

MarshaBradyo · 27/01/2023 11:56

It’s just not used it’s absent from my sector.

I know public sector it’s the norm but it’s just not usual and HR is the go to.

Show quote history

HR work for the company, not you. They will do nothing to protect you as an individual if there is a problem.

limitedperiodonly · 27/01/2023 12:08

@MarshaBradyo I see you think HR have your interests at heart. Dearie me.

MarshaBradyo · 27/01/2023 12:15

Of course I’m aware HR protect the company I’m not dim, I’m saying unions are never mentioned in my sector. I’ve never met anyone who belongs to a union.

It may upset people but it has never upset people I work with.

One thing that comes up on here is redundancies. as a sector that contracts with recessions we have these due to drop in demand. The legal process is followed by the company so there is no recourse so it’s interesting to see it a top demand.

KnittedCardi · 27/01/2023 12:20

limitedperiodonly · 27/01/2023 12:08

@MarshaBradyo I see you think HR have your interests at heart. Dearie me.

HR have to balance the needs and interests of both. Whether or not they are "on your side" they still have to work within the law and comply with any legislation, and that involves challenging bad managerial practice along with supporting an employee who has been disadvantaged by any illegal practice. In my experience anyway.

KnittedCardi · 27/01/2023 12:21

We have gone completely off topic for OP. But I think this discussion, and similar, always highlight the significant differences and experiences of those working in the private v. the public sector.

TypicalCoach · 27/01/2023 12:22

daisybrown37 · 27/01/2023 10:58

Not sure why you are calling people thick? The OP is in a non striking union, she can’t strike as they did not get the votes. She would not be protected. So what was said is correct for her.

Non union members can refuse to cross the picket line are protected.

Show quote history

It wasn't directed at OP thats why i ddint quote her

It was directed at the numerous posters stating NONE UNION MENBERS CANNOT STRIKE,

which is clearly bollocks and so misinformed and sadly something that's gets stated as fact in my public sector office.