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

[HairsprayBabe]

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!

@TrufflySnufgl6

My H works on the railways so I know what sort of reaction they are given. Its another reason why I am suggesting a day out is not going to help with the image of not needing the money. I don't disagree that they need it, neither do I disagree with strike action, but very many people are badly affected by the cost of living and having to lose pay because someone from a different sector is striking, then seeing them spending money on fun stuff even though they are losing a days pay, when you may have to go without a days food as a result of you loosing a days pay is not going to do anything to get the public on your side.

I’m on the fence with this.
On one hand I think if not being paid, you are entitled to do as you please. On the other I think you should be doing something under the radar a bit.
On the first teacher’s strike I was on the bus behind a teacher who was really pissed and said they’d all thought, brilliant a free day to go to the pub.
I don’t generally take a day off if Ds is at home due to strikes as dh wfh but if I was losing a day’s pay, I would have been v irritated to see others thinking of it as a bit of a jolly. Money is v tight for so many and losing a day’s money could really bring about hardship for those affected.

I’ve participated in strike action before. I live quite far from my office (like OP I WFH from home a lot) and to go picket would actually cost me quite a bit in train fares when I’m not being paid! So on strike days I do my own thing, since my time is my own. I don’t have kids but I could imagine if I did, I’d choose to spend it with them. In the past I’ve gone to the gym, gone swimming, etc. As far as I see it, I’ve withdrawn my labour, I’m not providing any services for my employer, including checking emails etc. so I’ll think of my time as mine. I do try occasionally to join a picket or march. But my colleagues all understand that I am striking, and supporting the union through not working, even if I’m not on the picket on a particular day.

I am only just above the bottom of the pay scale, I'm not throwing money away on a *5 lunch, it was 'nice' in the sense it was quiet and I got a bit of 1 and 1 time with DH day out was just a mooch around town and enjoying not pushing the double buggy for a change.

Lunch out cost less than £25 pounds, swimming is free as they get a session included with the oldest ones (£20 a month) council swimming lessons. If I had to travel to a picket or a march it would cost me significantly more than £25 so how would that be seen any better, I suppose I could spend my day sending angry emails about the state of things to my MP etc.

The maths of physically going to a march/picket would be too expensive for me and my union have not given any suggestions of how to spend our strike day other than they are grateful we are supporting the union by not working.

Its all about perception though isn't it?

Singing and dancing on a picket line whilst drinking a flask of coffee and eating a cheese and pickle sandwich you have made is keeping your spirits up.
Singing and dancing whilst drinking a caramel latte and eating a brie and cranberry toastie from Costa is creeping far more in the direction of a fun time. The two won't get the same sympathy and support.

Likewise a lunch out even under £25 isn't going to receive as much sympathy as a few sandwiches in the park.

I think people forget that strike pay exists.

You might not be getting paid by your employers, but I know some unions (I work for one), will be paying a tax free payment of £70 per day per member.

I always think you should attend the picket line if you can, especially if members contributions are paying for strike pay.

I can’t believe how judgemental some people are being about the OP spending her own money.

Maybe strikes should be banned and we can all just bang saucepans once a week to show our support for teachers. I mean, all those NHS staff paid off their mortgages and are living the high life on the saucepan benign sessions they got during the pandemic. Aren’t they?

My colleagues who did strike were told that they had to be prepared to to come back into work at short notice, if the stoke was called off. Or the staffing was classed as unsafe. They were called back in both times. So couldn't go far.

In full agreement with your mum. I don't believe in striking, but for those who do strike (and affect other people's lives in the case of public sector workers) it is a total pisstake to just have an enjoyable day out like you're on annual leave.

Stop being so facetious.

No one is suggesting that strikes be banned, but instead the impression that is given from someone 'striking' going off and treating the day as a jolly.

There's a world of difference.

I think people forget that strike pay exists

The vast majority will not be receiving strike pay. Teaching unions, for example, have hardship funds but they are difficult to access and only pay if you can prove that without one day’s pay, you will be unable to pay your bills.

Neighbours seem to do the gardening on strike days-they are in the same sector as me and have been out a lot recently.
I’m not in the union but if I were I’d be doing whatever I fancied. If I’m losing pay I’d want to make the most of it.

Have a day out

So what would you like me to do then, just sit inside stonefaced and silent? I'm talking about a trip to m&s cafe and a mooch round big tesco. Not a day at the races.

Also ew. Hope you don't agree with maternity leave, equal pay, bank holidays, minimum wage and health and safety in the workplace. If you don't approve of strikes you shouldn't benefit from things they won.

I’ll do what I want on a strike day thank you very much…..I’m withdrawing labour and not getting paid so I will spend it however I like.

it is a total pisstake to just have an enjoyable day out like you're on annual leave.

People really do think they own teachers don't they?

YANBU

DS8's teacher is on strike today. She's pregnant, I hope she had a nice day whatever she chose to do tbh!

I know someone who banged saucepans for the National Health every week who thinks all strikers are disgusting, they should all be sacked and the government should make striking illegal. 🤬

What an idiot.