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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

strike...not in a union

79 replies

MelodyPond · 24/11/2011 20:12

Aibu to strike if I'm not in a union?
I want to, I don't see why I should have to be in a union to make a stand?

OP posts:
Original poster
MelodyPond · 24/11/2011 21:34

Ooh my first deleted message.

Glad to see Gay had hers deleted too though, as far as I know I'm not a scab for joining the union the day before a strike, and that's what I will do.

OP posts:
Gay40 · 24/11/2011 23:03

Still no better than a scab in my eyes.

TastesLikePanda · 24/11/2011 23:08

I think it's pretty appalling to expect the union to fight for your rights without paying into their scheme. Where do you think the funds to organise ballots, marches, picket lines and hardship payments come from anyway?

Bobbish · 25/11/2011 04:33

What annoyed me when i was a union rep (when i worked for an LA) were the people who refused to join the union but were more than happy to accept the extra pay rise that other people striked for and lost a day's pay over.

MrsTerryPratchett · 25/11/2011 04:40

Gay40 I am really confused. I have always been in Unions and support collective action. But, I thought a scab was specifically, a worker brought in to cover work that would have been done by a striking worker, crossing a picket line. Not someone who through somewhat self interested reasoning wants to either strike though not in a Union or wants to join a Union in order to strike.

Original poster
MelodyPond · 25/11/2011 05:45

Gay, I really think you need to look up the definition of scab. Because you're wrong.

OP posts:
Original poster
MelodyPond · 25/11/2011 05:46

Boobish, what are we going to do? Say "no thanks, I won't have that payrise?"

OP posts:
Original poster
MelodyPond · 25/11/2011 05:49

Getorf, i would be happy taking holiday, but all leave is banned now so I can't.

Surely its better to strike than to cross the picket line? Even if it means joining the union late?

OP posts:
Original poster
MelodyPond · 25/11/2011 05:50

Oops bobbish rather, although I do quite like Boobish Wink

OP posts:
1Catherine1 · 25/11/2011 06:11

You do whatever you think is right Melody. I know co-workers that are in the union that are going into work as to not lose a day's pay. Not happy about it but it is not up to me to judge them. I would prefer that more strike and if that means people join the union just for a week then so be it.

Original poster
MelodyPond · 25/11/2011 07:50

Thanks Catherine.

To be honest some of the responses on here have really put me off, so I'm going to go in, despite really not wanting to cross the picket line.

I would hate for any of my colleagues to think of me as a 'scab'.

OP posts:
tyler80 · 25/11/2011 09:13

In the local authority I work for we have been told that non-union members who choose to strike will not be disciplined for non-attendance.

WhatAboutMeMeMe · 25/11/2011 10:54

In the local authority I work for we have been told that non-union members who choose to strike will not be disciplined for non-attendance.

same here & time can be made up and not deducted from pay

AMumInScotland · 25/11/2011 11:12

If you want the right to strike, then join a union. As an individual, you do not have the right to simply decide not to go in to work one day because you feel like it, whether that's to have a duvet day or because the union is on strike.

Unions and their predecessors worked hard to get the legal right to hold strikes, so long as they follow proper procedure about ballots etc. If you want to partake of that right, then join the union.

Otherwise, yes you do risk a disciplinary - though as others have said, some places won't do it.

At my office, it would be counted as "unauthorised absence" if you didn't come to work, and could lead to a disciplinary.

Scholes34 · 25/11/2011 11:55

Is it right that workers on strike will have to make a payment to their pensions for the missed day to ensure they have continuous service for the sake of their pension?

If you've had problems with the Union, it will be down to your rep. When I was in Unison, immediately a report on a departmental reorganisation was issued, my union rep was at my desk offering support if I had any concerns.

AMumInScotland · 25/11/2011 12:05

The day doesn't count towards your pension entitlement, but you don't have to do anything about it, it just means one day less "reckonable service" in the pot, the same as any other unpaid day (eg unpaid special leave). You are still in continuous service.

Scholes34 · 25/11/2011 13:55

I don't think that's right for local government workers, who need continuous service for their pensions.

tyler80 · 25/11/2011 17:22

Yes, it's incorrect.

In the LGPS you need to make a top up payment to your pension if you choose to strike.

Striking doesn't affect your continuous service (e.g. holiday entitlement) otherwise but it does affect your pension.

noir · 27/11/2011 15:11

"If you want the right to strike, then join a union. As an individual, you do not have the right to simply decide not to go in to work one day because you feel like it, whether that's to have a duvet day or because the union is on strike"

I'm not sure anybody here was wanting to 'strike' to have a duvet day (how rude). Personally I want to strike out of solidarity for my fellow workers. My pay, pension etc is not affected by what happens within the LA/ unions, I'm freelance and as such there is no reason for me to be part of a public sector union. HOWEVER I have to work alongside my directly employed LA colleagues every day and feel it would be disrespectful of me to cross their picket.

kelly2000 · 27/11/2011 15:59

gay40,
Scabs is a really offensive term, it is basicly taking away a person's right to make their own choice. If I want to go to work, I will do so and if I get called any names or face any hassle crossing the picket line on the day then I will make a fomal complaint. I do not see why I should be discriminated against just because I do not agree with the strike. If I really thought the public sector was bad I would get a job in the private sector.

Gay40 · 27/11/2011 16:33

Complain away. If you are not a union member, crossing the line just makes you short sighted, not a scab. However, if you are a union member, you have agreed to abide by democratic decisions, and if you cross the picket line you have lost sight of the principles of trade unionism. Not that principles bother some people, mind you.

MrsTerryPratchett · 27/11/2011 17:27

Gay40, I really don't think you know what a scab actually is. You seem to think someone who joins a union in order to strike the next day is "as bad as a scab", yet a person who is not a union member, who crosses a picket line to work is not a scab (even though that is one of the definitions of a scab). I understand your passion but before you use really insulting terms, it might be better to know what they mean.

Northernlurker · 27/11/2011 17:37

Scab is a very emotive term. I am not a union member. I do not have a right to strike and would be subject to sanction by my employer if I did do. I cannot take annual leave or carers leave on that day and if I am off sick I must produce a doctors note to that effect. All that aside, I don't want to strike over this issue. My first duty is to the population that my work assists. That population cannot opt out of their hospital treatment. They cannot take a day off.
OP - if you want to strike join the union - but only do so if you are body and soul commited to what a union means.

DoMeDon · 27/11/2011 17:42

The unions run to make working life better, the employees who can't be bothered to pay into the union still reap the benefits they fight for - shame really. Maybe it would be fairer to only allow union members to hold onto their pensions, etc?

Gay40 · 27/11/2011 19:12

No, Mrs TP.....I think I have it right.
As for hospital treatment, I'd not want to deny anyone treatment over a 24 hour period, but do you realise if the cuts continue, it will be vital treatment only after a long wait. And cuts to staff.

We have to stand shoulder to shoulder on this or we will lose public services. I'm proud of our NHS, I'm proud of our benefits system so that kids do not starve to death, but I hate what these Conservative millionaires are doing to our country.

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