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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:
HollaHolla · 26/01/2018 17:35

The woman sitting opposite me isn’t in the union, but benefits from flexible working, adaptations to her workspace, etc. She doesn’t understand that she has these things due to collective action. Very happy to take the pay rises, and complains she’s not paid enough. Also refuses to do the work of others when on strike, but doesn’t get it when I tell her but that’s the whole point.

Ahhh.... I have given up trying to reason with her, and ignore her anti-union rant about anything and everything.

icetip · 26/01/2018 18:02

Union action has indeed led to many important protections and improvements to workers rights and conditions, but some of you need to dial down the hyperbole. Plenty of employers offer good employment terms of their own volition. Flexible working as per the example above has bugger all to do with mighty trade union struggles. And this strike is about trying to deny the reality of an anachronistic pension scheme that the sector has tried to patch up, has faffed about with puddly changes and has finally woken up to the need to do something now. And UCU had an equal part in that decision making - if you truly believe in the collective then you should also respect the outcome of the collective machinery that has agreed these changes.

Tapandgo · 26/01/2018 18:15

lovesagin
The suffragettes were referred to by me in the context that the suffragettes actions were dismissed by many as having ‘temper tantrums’. Fact is, if they did not take the action they did, the whole issue of equal rights for women would have not been brought to the nations conscience. Of course their action alone did not change things, but their personal sacrifices meant the issue would not go unnoticed or unchanged for long.

CheshireChat · 26/01/2018 18:43

So OP can't afford to lose a good chunk of her wage so she should leave the union, if she's not in an union then she should refuse all benefits.

So if you're too poor to strike, then you should know your place and stay poor.

I get unions need solidarity, I really do, but withdrawing benefits seems to go against their main ideal.

Moussemoose · 26/01/2018 19:23

@icetip

Plenty of employers offer good employment terms of their own volition

Now, they do. They do it now because of trade unions. Now they do it because unions hold the line.

If unions went just see how long it was until pay and conditions went with them.

icetip · 26/01/2018 19:30

@Mousse
In some cases yes. In a lot of cases no. Unions are important, but they aren't the only show in town. There are sensible employers who know the value of good conditions. There are other forms of staff representation that are just as valid and productive as unions.
If a union doesn't do its job properly it can't rely on the successes of past actions as a get out of jail free card. UCU locally do good things. Their Head Office generally don't. Tactically inept, but still prepared to waste their members time and money on a battle that they didn't properly engage with in the first place.

Lovesagin · 26/01/2018 19:47

We don't have a single person in a union at my current workplace, never had apparently. Their benefits and working conditions are excellent and absolutely nothing to do with unions.

Moussemoose · 26/01/2018 19:49

I am not gong to defend every action of every union. Unions are only as strong as their membership. However, the rights we have now are a direct and specific result of union action. As a society we are stronger if we engage with and influence trade unions.

Trade unions are democratic organisations if you vote and engage you will influence policy. And what is the alternative? Hoping employers will do the decent thing!

I am furious with apathetic people who want the rights and the benefits but won't put their money where their mouth is. Sometimes you have to swallow it and stand up and be counted for yourself, for others and for all our children.

Moussemoose · 26/01/2018 19:53

@Lovesagin

absolutely nothing to do with unions

Now. When you look at it now that is what you see. Historically you are talking absolute bollocks. Unions and trade unionists, ordinary men and women fought for YOUR rights. Do not dismiss them because you are historically illiterate.

Trade unions were formed to get your rights. They have succeeded and now you dismiss them.

echt · 26/01/2018 19:53

We don't have a single person in a union at my current workplace, never had apparently. Their benefits and working conditions are excellent and absolutely nothing to do with unions

And they do the because they're nice, eh?

echt · 26/01/2018 19:54

Do it - fat fingers!

Lovesagin · 26/01/2018 20:02

Apologies I wasn't clear Blush I'm not talking about general workers rights. Without giving specifics I'm talking about the additional, very unusual benefits and terms, unions really weren't responsible for those in my current workplace. And the working conditions are great because the directors want them to be.

I've not dismissed unions at all on this thread, as I've said I've worked with one in the past and had an excellent relationship with them and been a member of one myself and had their help. Really can't see where I've dismissed them Confused

clarrylove · 26/01/2018 20:12

I can't believe so many can't go for a few days without pay without going under or losing the roof over their heads! Where is your emergency money? If you have been in employment you should have some rainy day money set aside, particularly if you are a parent.

WitchesHatRim · 26/01/2018 20:18

I can't believe so many can't go for a few days without pay without going under or losing the roof over their heads! Where is your emergency money? If you have been in employment you should have some rainy day money set aside, particularly if you are a parent.

You can't believe that some people don't have spare money? Seriously?

Callamia · 26/01/2018 20:23

Clarity, what? Really? My colleague who is on a part-time short-term contract (common in universities), travels from another city, and pays rent on a shared house - lives as cheaply as she can. She does not have any spare money. She is not a parent, she has no partner - no-one to depend on for help. She is fairly fresh out of her PhD - where do you imagine her savings are? There are many like her.

Lovesagin · 26/01/2018 20:23

Clarry seriously? Youve led a charmed life if you never thought losing 14 days pay,not a few, could put someone in serious danger of losing their home.

Maybe spend a few hours at your local food Bank or homeless shelter talking to the people there to give you a bit more perspective.

clarrylove · 26/01/2018 20:24

For those on Academic salaries, yes! I work in a uni on a lowly admin wage, part-time at that and still have a buffer. As does everyone else I know. So whilst there might be the odd exception, I think many claims of losing one's roof over a few days' strike action are exaggerated.

Lovesagin · 26/01/2018 20:25

Not to mention how one would seriously tell someone to use their emergency money to fund them through a strike. Next there will be a suggestion for op to get a payday loan to cover it Hmm

Lovesagin · 26/01/2018 20:26

*no one

Original poster
Happyhappyveggie · 26/01/2018 20:33

@clarry well, the reason I don’t have the financial buffer that you do scathingly talk about is because my partner was made redundant and we used our savings to keep a roof over our kids heads because in the real world stuff like that happens and it puts people in difficult situations.
Some of the comments on here have left me open mouthed.

OP posts:
WitchesHatRim · 26/01/2018 20:36

I work in a uni on a lowly admin wage, part-time at that and still have a buffer. As does everyone else I know.

Glad you know the ins and outs of all your colleagues finances.

Lovesagin · 26/01/2018 20:38

Kids? Plural? Sorted then op, simply pick your favourite and sell the other one.

SteamyBeignets · 26/01/2018 21:47

Union members on this thread just sound like plain nasty bullies. Judgey, calling people names, and act like they know it all! Ugly nasty people. You are not promoting your cause well at all.

Ekphrasis · 26/01/2018 22:01

I'm a bit confused as in teaching often people don't strike due to not being able to lose the salary and it's always been fine.

and I've always used a strike day to catch the fuck up with piles of work at home

Ekphrasis · 26/01/2018 22:03

To add - often the single parents, part time teachers and often the tas simply can't afford ONE strike day let alone 14!!

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