To have a "day out" on a strike day?

HairsprayBabe · 2023-05-02T09:33:33+00:00

I'm in a public sector WFH admin role - we were on strike for one day in March and the union is striking again this month and next month. On my March strike day me and my husband went out for a nice lunch, quiet day out without the DC (1 and 2) we might do a family activity on one of the other days something chill and cheap like the big park or swimming, or if my husband cant get the day off I might just have a quiet day out by myself. My mother - who was not and is not providing childcare at the time of the strikes - seems to think I should have been doing something strike related (although she couldn't say what) and not just enjoying the "extra" day. For context I WFH and I don't live near an office to go and picket at YABU - strike days are for doing something strike related and political UANBU - enjoy the spare day This is light-hearted my DM is fab just made me think what are you *supposed* to do on strike days if you are striking!

coffeeiswgatkeepsmesane · 02/05/2023 10:40

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Original poster

HairsprayBabe · 02/05/2023 10:51

coffeeiswgatkeepsmesane · 02/05/2023 10:40

See all responses in tomorrows Daily Mail 🙄

are you suggesting I'm a journo fishing or that they will come and skim from the thread?

I'm not a journo and the DM are dirt

I just don't know what the "right" behaviour was for a strike day especially when you are unable to picket

OP posts:

LittleLegsKeepGoing · 02/05/2023 11:17

My dad would share your mum's sentiments. If you're on strike, you're supporting the picket either directly or indirectly - that's the whole point of the union. You're all in it together.

When I was still a union member they would send suggestions on what you could do on strike days to support colleagues if you couldn't attend the picket line, I'm surprised yours hasn't.

Going out for a jolly whilst you're on strike isn't really the right thing to do - but I can't imagine you'll be the only ones 'striking' in this way.

TeacherHarri · 02/05/2023 11:18

If you’re not being paid, do what you want.

MaggieFS · 02/05/2023 11:21

I agree if you aren't being paid, it's your day!

DistantSkye · 02/05/2023 11:25

LittleLegsKeepGoing · 02/05/2023 11:17

My dad would share your mum's sentiments. If you're on strike, you're supporting the picket either directly or indirectly - that's the whole point of the union. You're all in it together.

When I was still a union member they would send suggestions on what you could do on strike days to support colleagues if you couldn't attend the picket line, I'm surprised yours hasn't.

Going out for a jolly whilst you're on strike isn't really the right thing to do - but I can't imagine you'll be the only ones 'striking' in this way.

Who says it's not the right thing to do and why?
I took part in the Scottish teachers strikes last year and early this year and our Union emails were really clear that we could choose to join a picket or rally, or spend the day doing something non work related of our choice!
I had my kids with me and enjoyed my mid week time off with them.

lavenderlou · 02/05/2023 11:31

I don't get paid on strike days so I'll do what like (just has to be something that won't cost much!).

ilovesooty · 02/05/2023 11:40

coffeeiswgatkeepsmesane · 02/05/2023 10:40

See all responses in tomorrows Daily Mail 🙄

There's already a frothy DM article on teachers and what they do on strike days.

sweeneytoddsrazor · 02/05/2023 11:48

Whilst there is nothing wrong with this as such, if you are losing a days pay and going out on a jolly, it doesn't help the idea that you need better pay, the COL is affecting you and therefore may be seen as weakening the union argument about your pay.

Precipice · 02/05/2023 12:01

sweeneytoddsrazor · 02/05/2023 11:48

Whilst there is nothing wrong with this as such, if you are losing a days pay and going out on a jolly, it doesn't help the idea that you need better pay, the COL is affecting you and therefore may be seen as weakening the union argument about your pay.

How would employers know what OP had done on the day? How does OP going out to a park mean she doesn't need better pay?

Since OP says she can't go to a picket, should she be demonstratively annoyed at home in nobody's sight just so she doesn't enjoy herself too much on a strike day?

sweeneytoddsrazor · 02/05/2023 12:12

Its not just her employer though is it? There is also the public. If for example you have had your operation cancelled, because the nurses are on strike, or you have lost a couple of days pay because the teachers are on strike, then you see one of them you know having a nice lunch out or a nice day out which involves some cost (so maybe not the park) are you going to be sympathetic to them?

Imagine having to say to your child sorry Bert can't take you swimming this week, I lost a days pay because Ms Jones was on strike and you couldn't go to school.
Oh but Ms Jones still took Betty swimming and she lost a days pay as well.

BigMamaFratelli · 02/05/2023 12:30

The whole point is to withhold your labour. Ideally you should at least show up to the picket line, but if you live far away I'd excuse that. Go, have a nice day 😀

Emotionalstorm · 02/05/2023 12:31

You're not paid on a day where you strike. Do what you like on that day.

sydenhamhiller · 02/05/2023 12:35

I’m a teacher, and on strike. I am looking after own primary child and 2 friends’ children and walking dog in park.

Does this count as a jolly?

(I am not getting paid - which I am not sure the general public - not MN obvs - always realises.)

MagpiePi · 02/05/2023 12:37

You are showing your support for the action by withdrawing your labour and losing a day’s pay. You don’t have to go on the picket line or sit around at home being miserable.

MagpiePi · 02/05/2023 12:39

…and you are allowed to spend your own money on yourself if you want to!!

nofusspot · 02/05/2023 12:49

Is it a strike over pay?

If it is a strike over pay then I think:

Yeah you should join the picket or march if one is near and you have childcare if required.
Do you lose a day's pay striking? If so then that's a hit on your income already (which you are asking to be increased)..so then
If I'm honest I would then judge if I knew you were going to Alton Towers or a fancy meal out and spending money when you are trying to claim you aren't paid enough.

But if it were like a spoons or something that would be fine.

TrufflySnufgl6 · 02/05/2023 12:50

sweeneytoddsrazor · 02/05/2023 12:12

Its not just her employer though is it? There is also the public. If for example you have had your operation cancelled, because the nurses are on strike, or you have lost a couple of days pay because the teachers are on strike, then you see one of them you know having a nice lunch out or a nice day out which involves some cost (so maybe not the park) are you going to be sympathetic to them?

Imagine having to say to your child sorry Bert can't take you swimming this week, I lost a days pay because Ms Jones was on strike and you couldn't go to school.
Oh but Ms Jones still took Betty swimming and she lost a days pay as well.

But if you join a picket line there'll be hundreds of posts on Twitter and similar saying the strikers singing, chanting, drinking coffee from Costa (!) and maybe going to the pub after, proves that they're having a lovely day out and clearly don't need better pay as otherwise, they wouldn't be able to afford it.

For further info - look at the Twitter pages of the BMA and RCN and all the posts about the fun the strikers are having on the picket line while people are dying due to their selfishness....

nofusspot · 02/05/2023 12:51

sweeneytoddsrazor · 02/05/2023 11:48

Whilst there is nothing wrong with this as such, if you are losing a days pay and going out on a jolly, it doesn't help the idea that you need better pay, the COL is affecting you and therefore may be seen as weakening the union argument about your pay.

Yes this said it better. I think a small expenditure for the day is fine but if it starts to look like you have money to burn that's where the point of the strike is lost

LittleLegsKeepGoing · 02/05/2023 12:52

DistantSkye · 02/05/2023 11:25

Who says it's not the right thing to do and why?
I took part in the Scottish teachers strikes last year and early this year and our Union emails were really clear that we could choose to join a picket or rally, or spend the day doing something non work related of our choice!
I had my kids with me and enjoyed my mid week time off with them.

Show quote history

Personally I think it weakens the argument for strike action if people are just treating it as an unpaid day off - especially given the COL reasons for the current strikes. I won't be the only one.

I'm an 80s child from the valleys - believe me when I say I know what the inside of strike action looks like which is why people like my dad and really everyone where I grew up sees striking as a united effort. Everyone plays their part. Sometimes this is directly on the picket line, other times it's indirectly by helping with child care, food parcels, campaigning in other ways etc. That's the true strength in a union - if you dilute that you have no teeth.

Having a lovely day out is not playing your part in a strike even if your union condones such activities. It just further weakens the fundamentals of being in a union to be honest.

CheersForThatEh · 02/05/2023 12:54

You aent being paid so do what you want

LlynTegid · 02/05/2023 12:54

Your choice.

Please do not call the DM 'dirt'- excrement perhaps, or just remember it supported the Nazi loving Blackshirts.

TrufflySnufgl6 · 02/05/2023 12:56

LittleLegsKeepGoing · 02/05/2023 12:52

Personally I think it weakens the argument for strike action if people are just treating it as an unpaid day off - especially given the COL reasons for the current strikes. I won't be the only one.

I'm an 80s child from the valleys - believe me when I say I know what the inside of strike action looks like which is why people like my dad and really everyone where I grew up sees striking as a united effort. Everyone plays their part. Sometimes this is directly on the picket line, other times it's indirectly by helping with child care, food parcels, campaigning in other ways etc. That's the true strength in a union - if you dilute that you have no teeth.

Having a lovely day out is not playing your part in a strike even if your union condones such activities. It just further weakens the fundamentals of being in a union to be honest.

Show quote history

But some of the public still think you're having a lovely day out with your mates if you're on the picket line so there's no way to do anything that will please everyone.

CheersForThatEh · 02/05/2023 12:57

I wouldn't judge. You earn your salary and should be able to afford days out even if you are worth more.

I expect most doctors or other workers can afford a day out with their family - that doesnt mean that they arent worth more pay.

CheersForThatEh · 02/05/2023 12:59

And striking isnt just about you and your pay, it's about the value of the sector. For example, a newly qualified teacher at the start of a career might be able to "afford" to strike and go out for lunch whereas a middle aged teacher with dependents might not. Strike action is about numbers to generate change, not individuals and their personal circumstances.