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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To not support strike action

297 replies

Happyhappyveggie · 25/01/2018 15:03

I’m in a university trade union and we have been called to take strike action over our pension.

The action is 14 days over 4 weeks, starting at 2 days a week and then escalating over that month to a full week.

I simply can’t do it. It will put my children and family security in trouble but now I am thinking should i leave the Union rather than strike break.

I am finding it all very stressful and upsetting actually as I support the need to protect pensions but it feels like my immediate circumstances are more important- as in keeping a roof over my kids heads.

Aibu? Can you be in a trade union and not support action? I find morally I am struggling with it.

OP posts:
HirplesWithHaggis · 25/01/2018 15:15

Does the union provide strike pay? Any sort of discretionary funding?

PinkSquash · 25/01/2018 15:18

If you have to strike break -which I understand- I would leave the union asap, I work in a very union dominated field and having seen the reaction to strike breaking union members I wouldn't risk that backlash

cooliebrown · 25/01/2018 15:19

your union should have a strike hardship fund, which you could explore before deciding to cross the picket line

Hefzi · 25/01/2018 15:22

UCU? Believe me, if you don't strike, you will likely be in for a very tough time from colleagues. I am not in UCU because of their stance -or lack of it- on anti-Semitism, but I am in another recognised union. I have huge issues from colleagues, who normally respect my reasons for refusing to be in UCU, for continuing to teach as the last requires me to do as my union has not voted to strike.

MsPavlichenko · 25/01/2018 15:23

Yes to the above suggestions. Also as I'm sure you know you only have a pension to protect because of trades unions. And holidays, and sick days, and weekends .....

JacquesHammer · 25/01/2018 15:24

I did it many years ago.

To deal with the backlash I just said really calmly “it is your right to strike and I support that, but it is my right to not”

Hefzi · 25/01/2018 15:26

Autocorrect fail! That would be "law"

Tbh, though, I do think it's hypocritical to want the protection of a union, but then not want to follow the results of their ballot. If UCU is for you, except the strike, ask your rep about the hardship fund before making a decision.

araiwa · 25/01/2018 15:40

Crossing the picket line is lowest of the low

Youshallnotpass · 25/01/2018 15:44

Crossing the picket line is lowest of the low

Whatever, keeping a roof over your families head and food on their table is far more important. I'd cross a picket line and wouldn't feel bad about it.

ArbitraryName · 25/01/2018 15:44

The UCU does have a hardship fund for strikes.

We’re both academics in UCU but luckily only DH is striking (I’m in a post-92 so we weren’t balloted).

JacquesHammer · 25/01/2018 15:46

Crossing the picket line is lowest of the low

I did it twice when I was an SEN assistant straight out of uni. I wasn’t prepared to allow the little boy I worked with on a 1 to 1 basis have to deal with the fallout of adult decisions that were nothing to do with him. I don’t regret it and even now, 17 years later I would make the same choice.

2sly4you · 25/01/2018 15:49

I feel for you! But this is how they erode conditions so your job becomes progressively more shitty. If you guys look like you won't back down, it might not come to a strike. Ask your union about hardship contingency plans while you make your decision.

araiwa · 25/01/2018 15:53

You need to leave the union.

Babycham1979 · 25/01/2018 15:54

So, I take it - based upon your principled stand - you'll be refusing any improved pension offer that will be the result of this industrial action and your colleagues taking this risk? Hmm.....thought not..!

araiwa · 25/01/2018 15:56

Im shocked that there are people who think being a scab is acceptable behaviour

meredintofpandiculation · 25/01/2018 16:02

At least if you stay in the union you will be continuing to support them financially, even if you can't afford to strike. If you do leave, see if there's another union you can join instead.

araiwa · 25/01/2018 16:04

Would any union let you stay if you broke a strike?

Would any union want a strike breaker as a new member?

nietProblem · 25/01/2018 16:04

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

JacquesHammer · 25/01/2018 16:05

@araiwa I joined the union in question after they had balloted for strike action.

I told them I was quite happy to remove myself but I wasn’t going to strike. They didn’t request me to withdraw my membership.

Coastalcommand · 25/01/2018 16:09

I would think very carefully about it if I were you. Nothing will convince me to break a strike.
It may well be that they come to an amicable conclusion before strike action begins. That’s certainly the aim of negotiations. But if they don’t and members feel they need to strike as a last resort, then you really need to join them.
People have long memories.

araiwa · 25/01/2018 16:09

Being in a union is strength through unity. People acting together for everyone in the groups benefit. I think taking the benefits of being in the union without contributing is being a cf

LivLemler · 25/01/2018 16:12

Ugh OP, I hear you. I'm not in the union and if I was I wouldn't have voted for strike action just yet, it seems premature to me at no decisions have actually been taken. But I'm also not comfortable crossing a picket if the strikes are on days I have to teach. I'm going on maternity soon so don't really have much time to play with in terms of rescheduling either. Dreading it.

araiwa · 25/01/2018 16:13

Bullying? Intimidating? Coercion? Aggresive? Abuse of power?

For saying if you dont support the union you shouldnt be in it?

Lol

stevie69 · 25/01/2018 16:16

Im shocked that there are people who think being a scab is acceptable behaviour

Unpleasant and aggressive. We live in a free society and it's up to the individual to determine what level of support they can give to the cause. OP is looking after her family. Wouldn't we all?

If it makes you feel any better @araiwa, then I will be striking. But then, I'm in a position where I can at the moment Blush I may not be in the future. Who the hell knows?

taskmaster · 25/01/2018 16:17

If you are going to go against your unions voted strike action you shouldn't be in it. You can't take the wins from the union and refuse to support them in the work to get it.

Strike or leave the union.