To strike with NHS staff

[Nhsvolunteer]

I'm a volunteer have received an email about the strikes. Telling me if I don't want to go in that day it's optional and no pressure. So should I strike in their support or go in. Very conflicted.

Surely you must have a gut feeling a preference? You’re a volunteer not employed so no consequence of you dont go in
If you go,in on a strike day it may be frenetic with staff being absent
essentially up to you

Do what you want, or just ask the staff there for advice?

Surely every day is optional anyway?

Moral and ethical reasons are separate. And know I wouldn't ask staff as they are are not responsible for my actions. And their decision is also private for them.

Can’t see why it’s so hard tbh? What do you feel is the dilemma
whats likely to happen if a volunteer doesn’t attend?

If I had a choice about it, I wouldn't cross a picket line.

This

I think you have to decide whether you support the strike or oppose the strike and act accordingly.

Personally I would not cross a picket.

No one else can make the choice for you OP, but I personally wouldn't cross a picket line

You’re not striking as you’re not staff. You simply wouldn’t be present
Not sure it’s appropriate to be on a picket line with striking staff, bit mawkish

What do you actually do? If my presence as a volunteer helped keep things safer and allowed nursing staff to strike with less of an ethical conflict then I’d be in and working.

It's up to you if you go in or not. But if you don't you won't be striking and it won't help the staff that are. What is your role and what would the impact be of you not being there, bearing in mind things will be very challenging anyway that day?

This is a nurse strike so only nurses who are members of the RCN are eligible to strike, many hospital staff will still be working. Those posters talking about not wanting to cross a picket line, it doesn't really work that way for a strike like this as so many professionals aren't eligible to strike.

If you really want to support striking staff consider things that will actually make a difference such as a donation to the RCN strike fund.

I support nurses not in a position to donate financially

My role is frontline

The patient's I see think otherwise

Yes it would make a difference to the painters if I didn't got in. Al lot of the NHS support services are held up by volunteers.

It will probably make a (positive) difference to the patients if you go in.

It will have absolutely no impact on government decision making if you don’t attend.

So on that basis, I’d go in and do your usual volunteering. Regardless of your opinion on the nursing strike.

Mumsnet isn't responsible either?

i can’t see why on earth you wouldn’t go in. you not going in will make no difference to the strike aim but I will make a difference to the patients. no nurse wants to leave patients without care but they have to in order to get fair work conditions. I imagine they’d be somewhat relieved to know volunteers were picking up a bit of the slack while they strike

No of course Mumsnet isn't responsible don't be silly. Just looking at outside opinions rather than an echo chamber.