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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be stressed out about pressure to strike

432 replies

peppapighastakenovermylife · 11/03/2011 11:15

Without saying too much, my 'organisation' has announced strike action.

I really do not want to do it but feel awful at not. I wouldnt actually have to cross a picket line or anything (can simply work at home) but feel like I 'should' strike.

The strike is over our pensions. I understand the impact but feel that I can't worry about something now that will happen in probably 35 - 40 years time. I feel pretty lucky to even be able to afford to pay anything into a pension, let alone a company one. The returns are still better than other private pensions. However I understand why some are striking.

It is potentially two days strike. I cannot afford to lose that money. I am the main wage earner and just come off SMP. If I strike food will either be going on the credit card with no clear means of paying it off soon. There are more pressing issues such as redundancy, fuel costs, reductions in tax credits and so on looming. I feel like I need to worry about now rather than way in the future and do not have the 'luxury' that many well paid members of staff might have of not really noticing the loss of a days pay.

Would you strike? Have you gone on strike in the past? I am too 'young' (I wish Grin) to have really been in this situation before Sad

OP posts:
WidowWadman · 12/03/2011 14:32

"Some people actually have principles over and above our own immediate needs."

Even if it's for something you don't support whatsoever or even oppose?

I'm kind of glad that I'm not in a unionised profession reading this.

BuzzLiteBeer · 12/03/2011 14:36

if its something you oppose you vote against it and speak against it. then, if the vote goes against you and you decide in all good conscience you can't support the actions your union has voted for, you leave the union.

tinierclanger · 12/03/2011 14:39

Actually, I misread. Op can work from home. So I guess she can do that, and resign union membership.

Ryoko · 12/03/2011 14:41

No one likes a scab, if the majority of people have spoken you must join the masses.

if you was a soldier and all your fellow troops went to Iraq would you demand not to go because you didn't believe in what they where doing?.

WidowWadman · 12/03/2011 14:43

"if its something you oppose you vote against it and speak against it. then, if the vote goes against you and you decide in all good conscience you can't support the actions your union has voted for, you leave the union"

So you would have to leave the whole clubif you don't agree with one of its decisions? Rather than, say, staying and trying to effect change from within? This level of authoritarianism actually is scary.

tinierclanger · 12/03/2011 14:50

It's not authoritarian, it's democratic. You agree to go along with union policy as voted for. Unions only have any negotiating power because of the size of the membership and the fact that they can call their members to act. They wouldnt be able to protect or negotiate if it werent for this. If you don't accept it, you don't have to join, but you can't expect the benefits without giving commitment.

BuzzLiteBeer · 12/03/2011 14:52

Then how else do you suggest it could work. We'll vote, but it doesn't matter because you should just do what you like? Some of us will put out necks on the line to win rights for you sitting on your arse?

If you don't like how the union works, don't join. Enjoy your holiday rights and your job protection and your maternity rights and all the rest of it, knowing that it was brave people who fought hard to win those rights for you, and enjoy your freedom to ignore the democratic process of the institution you signed up to.

Original poster
peppapighastakenovermylife · 12/03/2011 14:57

Thank you for the sensible responses.

Yes I am 28 - however I did point out not that young! However due to 'training' I have only properly been in the work place a couple of years. I was not working under Thatcher etc, there has never been strike action. We all have to learn about it from somewhere - personally I have asked a question, got mainly sensible actions and have conceded to responsibilities I did not realise I have.

Iraq?! Erm slight difference...

'Some people actually have principles over and above our own immediate needs'

I have said several times - I do not see this as my needs but more that I am putting my own needs of a pension over my childrens needs now (and for a decision I did not vote for). Ok maybe not for 2 days but I cannot take a week or more off unpaid. I am pleased you managed to do that.

I will adhere to the strike but this experience (and more some of the attitudes of clear union supporters on this thread) have shown me it does not have the overall advantage I think it did.

OP posts:
onlion · 12/03/2011 14:57

My professional union is compulsory

onlion · 12/03/2011 15:00

Id also like to know when gthe voting took place for my union. i was not invited to vote.

werdator · 12/03/2011 15:17

The views expressed by some people on this thread are the reason why trade union membership has been in decline.

JumpOnIt · 12/03/2011 15:23

OP I think we work for the same company. When I first started I was in the union, but ten years later, I left. I really don't agree with most of the decisions they make and I couldn't go out on strike when I disagree with the reasons for the action. So now I am no longer affiliated and don't mind saying I walk across that picket line without a twinge. Do what you think is right.

Original poster
peppapighastakenovermylife · 12/03/2011 15:52

I am thinking the same jumponit. I ashamdely admit I joined because I was told by others to do so Hmm (I can just hear my mother saying 'if they jumped off a cliff...). I presumed it was what you did. I was shocked to find out not everyone was in the union.

Eye opener / learning process anyway!

I am just worried about what happens if we do win...surely that money then has to come from somewhere else Confused

OP posts:
BuzzLiteBeer · 12/03/2011 16:49

No union is compulsory, there is legislation against that, so if you don't want to be in it, leave.

ilovesooty · 12/03/2011 16:54

BuzzLiteBeer, exactly.

All forms of closed shops (compulsory union membership) in the UK are now illegal under section 137(1)(a) of the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992.

wook · 12/03/2011 18:55

onlion no union is compulsory.

No strike is compulsory either.

But I think it's sad that people think they can pick and choose which aspect of unions they like and which they don't- they are not a consumer service. People fought long and hard to get unions and they have done great work in the past to move the lives of working people forward.

peppa I am quite sure you are by no means the only person considering going on strike who will find the loss of a day's pay very hard- certainly I would and it would also mean that I had to buy essentials on credit. I would still do it, for the sake of my colleagues.

Yes, the pensions money will have to come from somewhere else, but there are plenty of places it could come from, let's face it- it's just that the current govt are pretending there are no options or alternatives, because that suits their ideologicaal purpose.

mercibucket · 12/03/2011 18:57

sigh

most annoyingly a lot of people who don't want to go out on strike turn out not to have voted in the ballot in the first place. voting is usually quite low.

sigh

Original poster
peppapighastakenovermylife · 12/03/2011 19:04

'Yes, the pensions money will have to come from somewhere else, but there are plenty of places it could come from, let's face it- it's just that the current govt are pretending there are no options or alternatives, because that suits their ideologicaal purpose.'

I know...but I am worried they will call for more immediate cuts because of it.

Is just an overall crap situation Wine

OP posts:
Kallista · 12/03/2011 21:19

I do agree with having unions + mine has done a lot of good. Have never been asked to strike though - but i would strike if i agreed with the cause. If not - well they get 20 quid a month i can barely afford! Also could management put those who took strike action in line for any redundancies? Sorry but ATM i'm feeling v cynical about worker's solidarity - certain of my colleagues have turned out to be real bitchy competitive backstabbers - to myself and others. Not nice.

ivykaty44 · 12/03/2011 21:49

MrsGuyOfGisbourne - your friend was lucky the union didn't catch him doing this, I have a feeling he could have his membership withdrawn

ivykaty44 · 12/03/2011 21:58

onlion - it is illegal to force you to join and force you to pay subs, didn't you check this out if you where forced to do something you didn't want to?

Op, give your union rep a telephone call and ask for advice on funding and the strike they are asking for why and when and what effect they hope to make

GrendelsMum · 13/03/2011 10:31

I think that, Union member or not, an individual should not take an action that they personally disagree with. Therefore, if I disagreed with the action that a Union or a religious group or a political party asked me to take, I would not take it.

LyingWitchInTheWardrobe2726 · 13/03/2011 10:46

It's difficult, OP. I used to work for a council, my husband still does - whenever strike action was called, it would be TWO wages lost.

With the current position of local authorities losing thousands of staff through cuts, it must be an even more difficult choice for union members to actively decide to strike.

BuzzLiteBeer · 13/03/2011 10:53

thats fine Grendels, as long as you leave the union, because otherwise you are not just sticking to your personal morals, you are being a hypocrite.

gretalse · 13/03/2011 11:24

If you don't agree with the strike then don't strike its not compulsory and losing much needed money is crazy. I've crossed picket lines before and nothing bad or unpleasant has ever happened, in my experience people are just scaremongering in an attempt to intimidate people into doing what they want them to.