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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

My manager has denounced non-strikers but I truly can’t afford it

308 replies

Strik · 19/07/2023 21:05

In the office today the topic of upcoming strikes came up (public sector). My manager is as left-wing as they come and was not shy in sharing her contempt for people who don’t choose to strike. I’m really worried because I can’t afford to go on strike and she’s (obviously) going to find out that I’m not striking. I’m worried it’s going to damage our relationship. Has anyone been in this situation before?

OP posts:
ilovesooty · 19/07/2023 22:23

I think at the very least you should leave the union. You evidently don't understand how membership and collective action work anyway.

blackpear · 19/07/2023 22:27

I think you shouldn’t vote to strike unless you intend to strike yourself.
It is a horrible and divisive thing when strikes are called. I’ve left my union as I don’t like the way they handle issues. But in future if you aren’t going to strike, either vote no or leave the union.

Sometimeswinning · 19/07/2023 22:31

drpet49 · 19/07/2023 22:10

Really? You’re a hypocrite really. Happy to reap the benefits but won’t put your money where your mouth is.

Show quote history

I'm not in a union so I've had no say over strikes. I would also reap the benefits regardless. So that argument makes zero sense.

ArcticSkewer · 19/07/2023 22:31

This reply has been deleted

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BusyLemon · 19/07/2023 22:31

I think at the very least you should leave the union. You evidently don't understand how membership and collective action work anyway.

100% this - The OP seems to want all of the perks of union membership at others’ cost.

sevenbyseven · 19/07/2023 22:35

I don't think you should vote in favour of strikes if you're not prepared to strike yourself. My brother is striking even though he voted against.

FatherJackHackettsUnderpantsHamper · 19/07/2023 22:36

OP, you are being put under social pressure irl and on here. it is the nasty side of collective action - basically bullying.

I have to say that I agree with this. Whilst OP's vote to strike was misinformed, the intention was clearly sincere.

I keep picturing that old sketch with the Two Ronnies and John Cleese, with government as Cleese and the strikers (Barker) berating the non-strikers (Corbett).

It's all very well telling somebody that they can't afford not to do something that is essentially short-term pain with a potential for longer-term gain, but however much the person saying this may be suffering themselves, they're still coming from a place of relative privilege.

We hear enough of that when it comes to things like pensions and life/critical illness insurance - and desperately poor people are told off and called stupid for 'not thinking about tomorrow' when there literally may not be a tomorrow if they don't use whatever money they may have to scrape them and their families through today.

FatherJackHackettsUnderpantsHamper · 19/07/2023 22:38

I know that it's a horrible situation that the government has put people in, but what I'm saying is don't make those at the very bottom scapegoats for what the greedy, heartless elites at the top have decided.

Hbh17 · 19/07/2023 22:40

It should be personal choice. Many years ago, I left my union because I don't believe that public sector staff should ever go on strike. So I continued to go to work quite happily, because the strikes were nothing at all to do with me.

saltinesandcoffeecups · 19/07/2023 22:43

This is purely a question for my knowledge because I think our unions have some differences.

If the OP had voted no, but the total vote was yes to strike wouldn’t they still get the benefits if the strike was successful?

In other words Does her vote really matter? (Assuming the strike action didn’t come down to one vote)

BillyNoM8s · 19/07/2023 22:46

Strik · 19/07/2023 21:38

I’m not forcing anyone. By voting yes, I’m literally giving others chance to do so if they do choose.

Show quote history

So if everyone took the same stance as you...? Then what? Confused

If you're a union member it's your duty to strike, frankly.

TGNW25 · 19/07/2023 22:47

You voted for strike action but , never intended to take strike action Yourself because of personal financial detriment?

please do the decent thing and Leave your union you are riding on the coat tails of others who cannot afford cannot to strike , but also cannot afford not too…

Bobcat246 · 19/07/2023 22:55

My colleague is in this position. Uni academic with endless strikes. She genuinely can't afford it as the union strike payments don't touch the sides with small children in nursery and a maxed out mortgage. I have no problem saying I can't afford it but my politics and views towards the union leadership are well known so people don't even try and I'm left alone. She is openly left wing so feels she has to strike out of "solidarity" but is genuinely having sleepless nights and struggling with bills because she doesn't feel able to stand up for herself. The union leaders do not have the same financial issues or students they're letting down. She is very comfortable on her usual salary and her pension is very generous so she privately feels the strike is excessive.

Unions can be as tyrannical as the people they claim to be fighting.

Unexpectedlysinglemum · 19/07/2023 23:59

Strik · 19/07/2023 21:25

She will find out though off HR won’t she?

And yes, she is loaded! We are public sector but her DH is in IT.

Trade union membership is a protected characteristic in GDPR so she shouldn't be able to find out if you're in union or not

BorderlineCool · 20/07/2023 00:51

I feel like the fact you can't afford to strike, shows you actually need to, to be honest.

daisychaindays · 20/07/2023 00:57

WeightInLine · 19/07/2023 22:12

OP, you are being put under social pressure irl and on here. it is the nasty side of collective action - basically bullying.

You are free to vote how you like and strike or not strike as you like. Do whatever you want. There is no law or obligation otherwise.

Completely agree

nokidshere · 20/07/2023 00:58

Unions can be as tyrannical as the people they claim to be fighting.

Absolutely, as evidenced by its members on this thread. If 50% of the workforce were in a union and they all went on strike and 'won' then 100% of the workforce would get the pay rise. That's how it works.

As for leaving the union if you don't agree with the strike, that's also ridiculous. Unions cover a lot more than strikes and pay rises. If you regularly work alongside people who aren't in the union (but reap the benefits) and presumably don't call them names or bully them, then it's no different to working with people who can't afford to strike.

Personally, I think everyone (union or not) should just work to rule, stick to their hours, don't do anything extra and it would have a far bigger impact. And no, I don't belong to a union.

Original poster
Strik · 20/07/2023 01:10

I hear what you say about leaving the union but it offers protections that are nothing to do with striking/pay.

I genuinely thought I was doing a good thing by voting yes to striking as the union said they needed a certain % of people to vote in favour for it to happen. I am not from a mining/factory background like previous posters. My family all work in the private sector so no I don’t have any idea about the moral code. In fact it was only fairly recently I learned that you don’t get paid on strike days. I always thought that the employers were punished by having to pay employees for not working! Bit harsh to repeatedly call me a dick. Some people just don’t know the invisible rules about all this stuff.

OP posts:
gherkeen · 20/07/2023 01:16

Most people striking can't afford it. Those who strike make things better for everyone. I understand but please realise it's the same for everyone and their actions benefit you. Could the union help you?

Hawkins0001 · 20/07/2023 01:18

What's the point in striking when bills ain't gonna get paid by pickets and chants

nokidshere · 20/07/2023 01:28

I understand but please realise it's the same for everyone and their actions benefit you.

Patronising 🙄

You think OP doesn't know that? You think the rest of the workforce who don't belong to the union even care? Everyone will benefit from a pay rise even if they aren't members.

Coyoacan · 20/07/2023 01:41

Strik · 19/07/2023 21:38

I’m not forcing anyone. By voting yes, I’m literally giving others chance to do so if they do choose.

Show quote history

You make it sound like you voted for to have a holiday. You want other people to strike so you can enjoy the benefits if they win

Nat6999 · 20/07/2023 02:28

If you aren't prepared to support the results of the ballot, you shouldn't have voted to strike & you shouldn't be in the union.

L0bstersLass · 20/07/2023 02:41

Strik · 20/07/2023 01:10

I hear what you say about leaving the union but it offers protections that are nothing to do with striking/pay.

I genuinely thought I was doing a good thing by voting yes to striking as the union said they needed a certain % of people to vote in favour for it to happen. I am not from a mining/factory background like previous posters. My family all work in the private sector so no I don’t have any idea about the moral code. In fact it was only fairly recently I learned that you don’t get paid on strike days. I always thought that the employers were punished by having to pay employees for not working! Bit harsh to repeatedly call me a dick. Some people just don’t know the invisible rules about all this stuff.

Invisible rules?
Some people take time to work out what they're voting for before they put a tick in a box.

If you want the protection of the union, and have voted for the strike, then you should strike. That's bloody obvious.

If you don't want to play by the rules then you should leave the union and not rely on its protection.

Hardertheyfall · 20/07/2023 02:43

@ArcticSkewer exactly as Arctic says, no sympathy.
You think you are the only one ? So the workers just go on and put up with crap wages then? Some people are on even lower wages than you and need a proper! We strike to stick together ! No power if we don't stick together ! What is the point if others break the strike and scab ?And for your info , I can't afford it either ,if it's the same strike .( public sector)