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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be cross with colleagues who have decided to go to work on strike day?

102 replies

natation · 30/11/2011 14:35

I am a UK civil servant who has witnessed rapid deterioration of working conditions, whose department has been many times in the news recently for failing to fulfil its security obligations (mainly down to the 25% target to sack staff). It appears the south east branches have shown pretty solid support for the public sector strike, except where we are. I find it unexplainable why every single union member decided to work this morning!!! AIBU to be really cross with them? I feel quite betrayed.

OP posts:
cocoachannel · 30/11/2011 14:38

Maybe a day's salary is a sacrifice too far for some? I've no idea, just trying to come up with explanations.

I'm working from home today (private sector employee Smile), and have the rolling news on. I would like to see them interview some who are not striking to answer the question you pose.

howlongwilltheynap · 30/11/2011 14:38

YABU they are perfectly entitled to take that decision

smallwhitecat · 30/11/2011 14:41

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

amicissima · 30/11/2011 14:42

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

afishyweddingfairy · 30/11/2011 14:42

YABVU - they are completely entitled not to agree with the strike, just as you are entitled to agree with it.

I was a civil servant for many years and had I still been in that employment there would be no way I would be striking.

Kayano · 30/11/2011 14:43

I hate when these threads look down on others. Just at you are entitled to strike, they are entitled not to.

To feel 'betrayed' ? What? Personally?

Step · 30/11/2011 14:43

YABVU

Free country. Are you aware of their feelings or their personal circumstances? What mandate did they have as a perentage of those entitled to vote? In some cases it's as low as 25%.

LilPud · 30/11/2011 14:44

We have a couple who have worked today, they voted against the strike as they did not agree with it and have therefore turned up to work. They're not sheep.

Callisto · 30/11/2011 14:45

I'm very cross with all of the irresponsible strikers who are costing the country millions in lost productivity during the worst economic crisis since WWII.

YABVU OP.

grovel · 30/11/2011 14:47

Betrayed?

I don't think so.

cantspel · 30/11/2011 14:47

I have just been watching strikers being interviewed on sky news and i am sorrty to say not one of them has convinced me that the strike is right.

1 the middle class treacher from golders green who works in a private school
2 the manchester teacher who just talked down to me via tv
3 the mancherster health worker who when asked about people who have had their operations cancelled who replied "it is just one day"

my civil servant husband is in work today

cocoachannel · 30/11/2011 14:52

Cantspel, point 2, the man with the glasses? Completely agree. In fact no one being interviewed on Sky News is doing their colleagues any favours.

DH is also a civil servant, not from a striking group though.

cantspel · 30/11/2011 14:57

cocoachannel yes he is the one. If they were trying to further their cause they all failed big time.

PomBearAtTheGatesOfDoom · 30/11/2011 14:58

It's ok to be cross that they don't share your beliefs, but that's as far as you can really go - they have as much right to their opinions as you do, and we live in a country where everyone can hold and express their opinions technically without fear or favour. What is the point of people fighting and dying for a free country if it's only free when you agree with the current "in" position, or with the position of the most vocal or strongest majority.
Being a socialist and actually acting on your principles is a luxury these days, the real "working poor" can't afford it. They're at work because their bills need paying and "baby needs shoes".

worley · 30/11/2011 14:58

I am dispaointed with people who voted to strike then changed their mind once the goverment said they may protect those who are due to retire in the next 10 years and so they therefore feel it doesnt affect them any more.

and how much is it costing the economy? less than the royal wedding we were made to take a day off for! and seeings as the people on strike are losing a days pay are they not saving the government thousands of pounds in one day?

worley · 30/11/2011 15:00

*dissapointed !

DogStinkhorn · 30/11/2011 15:04

OP shat and ran I see.

Original poster
natation · 30/11/2011 15:05

Well the same colleagues complain about their deterioration of working conditions, about the stress caused by threat of being sacked, apart from the reasons for the strike being called. I have not always voted in favour of strikes, but when they have been called in the past, I've respected the majority who voted and have not turned up for work, to me it's part of being in a "union" - meaning united???? In defence of colleagues who have chosen to work, they have been under terrible bullying, yet the only way to defend ourselves is to say no to the bullying.

OP posts:
Kayano · 30/11/2011 15:06

Why all the damn comparison to the royal friggin wedding. Two totally seperated things!!! Ffs it's like
Comparing chalk and cheese imo

maypole1 · 30/11/2011 15:06

My oh is not on strike he works in the public sector, unlike you a days pay is a lot of money and 4 weeks before christmas we cannot afford it.

If any one of the civil servants who seemingly have enough money to strike if their happy o give us his days pay I sure he would of been happy to.

cocoachannel · 30/11/2011 15:09

OP, bullying? You mean not to strike.

Out of interest, if you feel so strongly, I assume you're MNing from a picket line? If so, how did your colleagues interact with you when they crossed the line?

olliesmom · 30/11/2011 15:09

I feel the same about union members coming into work, very disappointed with my collegues cant help feeling this way...wish i didnt. will find it hard working with them tomorrow

redlac · 30/11/2011 15:11

"Royal Wedding we were MADE to take a day off for"? Really, you were FORCED to take a day off for the Royal Wedding?

Original poster
natation · 30/11/2011 15:12

Just remember that it is Police workers, health workers, Border workers, none of whom were responsible for the economy and banks collapsing, all of whom pay their taxes, yet those responsible for banks collapsing and stock markets falls have got away with tax avoidance schemes and big bonuses. Those public sector workers should not have to contribute 10% of their salaries and work for many more years just to pay for the faults of others.

Interestingly, those who "volunteered" to come to work to cover possible staff shortages are all either past the age of 60 or within 5 years of retiring, they are unaffected by the changes to pensions.

OP posts:
Kayano · 30/11/2011 15:13

I keep seeing people on fb ranting about the higher wages in private sector. It's like they are deliberately comparing the highest
Paid in the private sector with the lowest of the public sector Sad

It's sad. There are plenty of us on low low wages in the private sector to.