To be in a union but not out on strike tomorrow?

[ILovePud]

I'm an NHS clinician and my union has called a strike tomorrow. Strikes have not usually been well supported in my work place and I already had a clinic booked tomorrow. We all had to notify our management last week whether we would be striking and I said no. I felt uncomfortable with the idea of having to contact specific patients and cancel their appointments in a way that I wouldn't have done if it was a case of just omitting to book that clinic. I've become increasingly uncomfortable with this decision over the weekend as I've had some contact with colleagues and it seems that many of them will be striking and that there will be a picket line. I'll have to go in now and feel like I'm in a lose lose situation where I'm either letting down patients or letting down my colleagues. My colleagues are lovely people and none of them are going to have a go at me though there may be some more subtle guilt tripping. The strike's been called over the 1% pay rise offer rather than wider issues and whilst I think this is a crap offer compared with some of the other service issues in the local NHS at the moment this seems like small potatoes, for me at least. My reasons for being a union member have always been more about having access to support in the event of potential employment problems rather than collective bargaining, though obviously if they pay offer gets upped I'll feel the benefit of this along with everyone else and I do feel a bit bad about that. Am I being unreasonable to not be striking?

A teacher has the option of a non striking union.

the concept of unions isn't a hard one - you join as a democratic collective and in joining you agree to abide by the democratic decision of the membership - including the decision to strike

Exactly. And if that conflicts with your personal views you follow the collective decision or leave the union.

Ilovesooty, to me, that's like saying 'you voted the Tories in, so you can't complain

I don't think that's the same thing at all. The government isn't like a union where you have the option of joining or not.

I'm really sorry about what happened to your family, Evans.

Back in the 80s there were loads of different unions in workplaces (three I mine), and we had no difficulty knowing who wasn't in our union and therefore not out on strike. If necessary they wore badges.

It was a particularly desperate time for workers - the strikes were long and bitter. None of us who were working and striking at the time would deny that. But people genuinely felt there was no other option if they were to earn enough money to live on, to be have the right to join a union, to have a pension etc.

ilovesooty - but shouldn't one be permitted to choose one's own battle?
You might agree with some strikes, and participate, but not agree with others and choose not to. Isn't this partly the reason we, as a country (the UK) are a democracy, and partly the reason the Unions have been fighting?

Don't ALWAYS refuse to take part in a strike. But you have to do your bit for the brotherhood/motherhood/sisterhood/whateverhood. Surely it depends upon whether you agree with the reasons behind it though?

One non striking union, sooty. One which generally (never in my experience) has no school rep or local meetings.

People don't just join a union to strike. They may agree with why the union I striking but disagree with how they are going about it.

In any case, I do agree insofar as the teaching business is concerned, but then I think the teaching unions aren't worth the paper they're written on. I do however think it's out of order abusing the OP. She isn't an 80s miner campaigning against thatcher but someone trying to be compassionate.

Sooty the reason I said that is because you can for example vote for a political party whilst not agreeing with all their policies.

You can be a member of a union and not agree with everything they are trying to do. I disagree with striking - doesn't mean I think performance related lay (for example) is right.

Sorry Evans - not in my opinion. I don't think union membership should allow you to pick and choose beyond casting your vote.

if you don't want to strike you LEAVE THE UNION Evans - you don't get to pick and choose no because all decisions are made by all members having a vote - and in joining you agree to abide by those votes

if you don't agree leave

otherwise unions have fuck all power - they aren't social clubs they are the means of protecting workers health, rights, pay and conditions

Aahh, now I've been so long out of the "Union" workplace, I didn't even know there were such things as "non-striking" Unions. That is news to me

Teachers can join VOICE which is a non striking union.

ATL is another teaching union which is rarely involved in strike action.

inabranstonpickle - I disagree with your attitude to the teacher strikes.

Nonetheless, FFS, sign up to Voice, at least, to protect yourself. You really can't swan about with no Union representation - albeit at the end of a phone - these days.

There's being a turkey, & then there's basting your own arse....

You left out something, Evans - what about those who agree with the principle of strike action - as long as it is undertaken by others?

I've met a few of those. If all union members were like that, unions would no longer exist.

You chose to join a union - or not to join one. By joining a union you accept that in return for various form of assistance from the union you also agree to support lawful industrial action - which means strikes voted on and agreed by your fellow union members. Picking and choosing doesn't come into it - if you don't agree, then you are free to resign.

One non striking union, sooty. One which generally (never in my experience) has no school rep or local meetings

Well people can't have it all ways. If people want the support of aunion with some influence they have a responsibility to follow collective action in my view.

Yes, Gordy - thanks for that helpful note. My Dad did agree to abide by those votes, which is why we eventually lost our home. Due to the bullying tactics of his chosen Union at the time.

No need to swear at me - I don't think I did that to anyone. Have you actually read any of my PREVIOUS posts (where I explained our own personal situation and the reasons for my views, (Provided without swearing or shouting)?

As for leaving a Union, as you so 'helpfully' suggested, I personally haven't belonged to a Union for about 40 yrs (despite having previously been a committee member) because of the situation our family found ourselves in BECAUSE of Dad's bullying Union. Did they care when we were made homeless? No, they didn't. They just had one more man "agreeing" with their view - albeit coerced.

Evans - the Professional Association of Teachers was a non-striking union way back in the 80s. It's not a new concept at all.

Do you know what, I used to be a member of nasuwt. I paid my fees for years then I needed them.

I got ... Nothing.

Waste of space,seriously.

To be honest if something crap happens in a school now and the HT wants you out you are screwed. I'm not wasting my money!

You chose to join a union - or not to join one. By joining a union you accept that in return for various form of assistance from the union you also agree to support lawful industrial action - which means strikes voted on and agreed by your fellow union members. Picking and choosing doesn't come into it - if you don't agree, then you are free to resign.

Erm, Katie - where have I said that I belong to a Union? Haven't belonged to one for a very, very long time.

Does anyone actually READ anyone else's posts and digest the contents? Am starting to wonder . . .

Presuming the OP is in the same union as I am....
I joined the union because ours is very high litigation area and I could one day need representation in court or before the governing body. The union has never gone on strike and I never imagined they would. I voted against strike action. The majority of union members voted knowing they would never have to strike themselves, as they are in 'essential' clinical areas. I am not in one of these areas and so am being asked to take part in a strike I do not agree with. I wasn't aware I signed away my rights to independent thought when I joined. I will strike, but I am very angry at the union for putting me in this position.

I read Katie's comment as a general one EWvans - not aimed at you.

To be honest I see it as an emotive issue. I have zero respect for strike breakers but I don't think I've abused anyone on the thread.

The irony is, that certainly in teaching people join and pay their subs to be part of a union should they need support in the future.

Unfortunately, my experience (and that of many others) is that the unions are misinformed, unhelpful and misguided. Mine started off talking tough but then shrugged it off as 'one of those things' despite the fact I'd been treated appallingly and that rankles to be honest.

But that's teaching - obviously this isn't a teaching strike but I suspect the principle is still there.

I'm surprised about the strength of feeling on here.I'm in Unite, who are striking tomorrow. I became aware of the strike a bit late, and had already arranged to work a late shift, so would not be 'at work' at the time of the strike, so won't take part. Striking is not something health workers do lightly, as it is a really hard balance to find a way of striking that merely inconveniences people, while ensuring no serious risk to patients. I can understand where the OP is coming from. How can she be sure that, if tomorrows patients were to have a long wait for another appointment, the result would be merely an inconvenience, and not more serious?

You haven't sooty - I just feel that unions have changed hugely since the 80s and they aren't a political force now but a legal one and many people sign up with that understanding.

I can quite see how, if you come from an era where the unions really fought for and were instrumental in change, you'd feel as you feel (and I hope that doesn't sound like I'm calling you old!

I just thin kings are different now, and I think thats very sad.

With respect, Maiyakat, your comment about "signing away your rights to independent thought" is naive. Did you not understand about collective action when you joined a union?

I respect you for taking part in the strike inspite of your own personal feelings on the matter, Maiya. I hope your union gets the result it is looking for.