To not support strike action

[Happyhappyveggie]

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.

Such as? Some examples would be helpful, especially the "knee-jerk" ones, that are hasty and ill-thought out. Not sure where a sensible discussion can go with your extraordinary "rabid", but no doubt you'll be able to point one out.

the disconnection with the immediate reality of someone's life and the difficult personal decisions they may have to make by that do you mean people who think it's not OK to cross picket lines or stay in unions whose actions don't suit the personal convenience of the OP?

There’s a clue in the word “union”. It means you stick together. You can’t expect to have the benefits and support of a union without giving something in return. I understand your situation but don’t you think others are facing this too? Look into the hardship fund, or leave the union.

I've worked in plenty of companies where I've not joined the union yet have reaped the benefits of their efforts, all of them. I recall a union member asking me why they are bothering to pay because the person who sat next to them benefitted without paying. I couldn't answer.

And as I have just noticed someone has borrowed Martin niemollers poem about one of the worst atrocities in history ever and applied it to an op struggling financially so can't strike for 14 days I think it's time to leave the thread. Tasteless in the extreme.

There is power in a factory, power in the land
Power in the hands of a worker
But it all amounts to nothing if together we don't stand
There is power in a union

The union has no power if we don't all stand together. That doesn't always mean it is easy - doing the right thing can be hard and require personal sacrifice. But no achievements in pay and conditions have been gained without workers sometimes literally putting their necks on the line for the greater good. How do you think we even got basic workers rights in the first place? Change must be earned.

This is not a small and petty issue, it is huge. I will strike for my younger colleagues who are joining the sector on insecure contracts, will have to work to at least 70 and will now have no security in their retirement - I cannot in conscience just pull up the ladder.

This really matters. A minor rise in interest rates would wipe the deficit, so they are taking a short term problem and using it to make a permanent change that will hit the youngest hardest. Intergenerational fairness is a major issue in society and one I am prepared to make sacrifices for. As a mother, I care deeply about the next generation and can do more for them by striking than by going into work.

Araiwa lives in the 70s. Scab? How unpleasant. With scummy Union members like you I'd rather never join one.

But you cant be an individual in a union.

Everything that is wrong about unions condensed into one sentence.

Companies that treat staff well do so because of unions.
Unionised industries and occupations set the standard and hold the line. The prevent the inevitable race to the bottom that would occur in a free market.

All of you thinking about yourself, how it would impact immediately on you, what about your immediate needs are missing the point. It is about joining together to help yourself and others.

Yes I absolutely judge people who are so short sighted that they ignore the needs of their colleagues, ignore a fight that is in their own long term best interest and ignore, discount or just don't care about the legacy we hand own to people younger than ourselves.

Some fights are not just about you.

@SteamyBeignets

You don't want to join and fight but I bet you accept the benefits.

I'm amazed its beyond some peoples imagination that some companies do get it right. I work in an industry where my talent is sought after. If I dont like the company anymore I'll leave and find another. I dont need bullying tactics to get what I want when I have something valuable to offer.

Moussemoose, you know me do you? Current company has no Union. Previous company had one, didnt join it didnt need to. Left when I didnt like what they offered me.

Still waiting to see if those that are name calling talking about OP being selfish etc are going to help them pay their bills or rent.

No one seems to be forthcoming.

As a pp said, if strikes didn't inconvenience anyone they would be pointless.

I have no idea how I will pay my rent after the strike. But I am planning, making enquiries and talking to people to try to make things as easy as possible for me and my fellow strikers.

When I first joined a union I did so understanding and signing up for the collective nature of trade unionism. Without that we wouldn't have achieved the benefits and improvements in working conditions that most people in this country take for granted.

This thread has really encouraged and reassured me about the coming strike. Great to read so many pro trade union posts.

What? ‘Ability to strike’ is not a prerequisite for joining a union.

There are many reasons, some short-term, that people would find wage loss caused by extensive strike action difficult (my period of maternity leave means that savings are already stretched, and any further saving is pretty much impossible right now. This is not my permanent state of finances though).

I continue to pay my union subs, and support union activity (including strike, actually). But it’s unreasonable to suggest that if you’re financially precarious, then you shouldn’t join a union.

My ECR friends on precarious short-term/part-time contracts arguably need the union most, but are probably least able to manage with a two week wage-hit.

"Everything that is wrong about unions condensed into one sentence"

Yes, some people think unions are wrong. The union excesses of the 70s are very unlikely to return. But what is means, inherent in the very name 'union' is a collective which acts together for the common good.

If you do not agree with collective action including binding strike votes, do not join that union. Either join one which is non-binding (some exist) or don't join one at all. You can buy insurance and legal/employment advice from other sources which don't have the T&Cs you find objectionable

Witches lots of pps have made suggestions about how op might manage during the strike.

I am sure many posters will be contributing to strike funds, as I will, out of the next pay packet. Even if I'm claiming it back the month after!

Great to read so many pro trade union posts.

Do you also agree with the name callingnof scab and lowest of the low too?

I have no idea how I will pay my rent after the strike. But I am planning, making enquiries and talking to people to try to make things as easy as possible for me and my fellow strikers.

That's your choice. OP is free to make theirs. They have already looked into help. It isn't enough.

You have no 8dea of OPs personal circumstances.

How about someone set up a crowd fund for op so she can afford to go on strike. Sounds like there are lots of people on here who'd be willing to contribute.

Actually I do think OP haa done the right thing. We need Unions to work for us and make the right balanced decisions about strikes etc otherwise they will only be ineffective in their negotiations. Someone mentioned SWT earlier in the thread .. RMT are haemorraghing members now as many think the strike action and negotiations too harsh and not effective. It does highlight there needs to be better governance perhaps of Unions so they can be effective and do what we pay our subs for. Was the length of possible strike action communicated before the vote properly etc. If people dont like the way the way their union is working for them they have absolute right to leave ...maybe join another recognised union if available who would be more effective in modern day negotiations.

@SteamyBeignets even if the company you work for has no union you benefit from the work of trade unions.

All the benefits you now have were fought for by unions in the past. Benevolent owners did not start giving holiday pay, reducing hours and paying sick pay "just because".

Previous generations of ordinary men and women gave up pay to fight for the benefits you take for granted. You absolutely benefit from the past work of trade unions.

Unionised work places prevent the race to the bottom in relation to terms and conditions throughout the workforce. You absolutely benefit from the work of todays trade unions.

Nothing was 'given' to you. It was fought for. What are you going to do to make sure future generations have the same rights you enjoy?

SteamyBeignet's arrogant comments about "knowing your value" and just leaving and working somewhere else if you don't like what your employers offer simply betray her complete ignorance of the situation in higher education.

@picturesAndText you look to yourself first. You don't care about the welfare and well being of others. And if you can live with that Good luck, but don't tar me with your brush.

I live in an interconnected society where my actions impact on others. If other people are happy and looked after and enjoy their job that makes the whole of society better. I want to pass on a legacy of workplace security to my children.

In terms of entertainments and obligations, absolutely. If you are entitled to a pension then you are obligated to make sure it is as good as it can be for yourself and others. If you want to be entitled to the protection of the union then you are morally obligated to support the balloted decisions of its members.

And strike action impacts on op, and she is being told she should morally leave the union and their protection because of her current financial situation despite paying her subs so far.

Why is not considering the wider impact on others, ie op in this situation, not required?