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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:
Pawpatrolsucks · 20/07/2023 02:57

I would point out she is in privileged position to strike. You agree with it you don’t have a choice.

VashtaNerada · 20/07/2023 03:10

Use the hardship fund and strike FFS. None of us can afford it, that’s the point. I find your attitude really quite shocking.

ArcticSkewer · 20/07/2023 03:16

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.

What you have done is really cruel.
You are forcing other people who can't afford it either but who believe in collective action, to go on strike.
You voted for strike action with no intention of doing it yourself, to make other people lose money so you would gain money.
Next time please either don't vote or vote no to strike action so that other people don't suffer because of your actions. I've never heard of anyone doing what you've done. I sincerely hope it isn't common. When I think of the money I have lost on stupid strikes I voted against but ended up having to do, I could cry to think there were people like you voting for it knowing they wouldn't do it themselves. It's a very selfish and cruel approach to a ballot.

TheOtterInTheHat · 20/07/2023 03:17

I sympathise but imagine if most of the union decides not to strike. Defeats the whole purpose of a union so we might as well disband it then!

MrsTerryPratchett · 20/07/2023 03:33

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.

OK so you didn't understand. Attend union meetings, read up, talk to your rep, read some books, watch Pride and North and South at the very least!

Yes the strike vote is supposed to signal the intention to the management. But that's because it's supposed to be an honest intention to strike. And it should tell management that that number of people who voted yes will be refusing to work.

You've signaled your intention to strike. You should see if it's possible to make it work.

maybebalancing · 20/07/2023 03:46

I found there was quite a lot of unpleasant bullying around striking when I worked in local government, people definitely felt pressured to strike even though they really couldn't afford it.

I didn't join a union so worked during strikes as a certain number of staff were needed in our job at all times.

I wouldn't have joined a union, voted to strike and then not done it. Why on earth someone would behave like that I really don't get.

Growlybear83 · 20/07/2023 03:53

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.

I'm really shocked by your reply. How can you have got to an age where you're old enough to have a permanent job and have joined a trade union but not have a basic understanding of the role of the unions, their members, and how industrial action works? What did you think you were signing up for when you joined your union? Having family who all work in the private sector is no excuse for such fundamental ignorance.

loopyloutoo · 20/07/2023 03:57

CorvusPurpureus · 19/07/2023 21:56

Leave the union. You aren't in tune with their values, which is fine. Just leave.

I would also rather go hungry than cross a picket or not strike alongside my union.

I understand that others see things differently, but don't have much time for fair weather friends. If you don't understand how unions work, it's not compulsary to be in one.

Tone deaf. Would you let your kids go hungry? Different story. Op needs to contact union to advise of her situation and avail of hardship fund if available or necessary.
Meanwhile, advise the manager that while she may have good intentions in promoting collective action, some people do not have the same liberty. It is not professional at all to be coercing or even discussing union membership in this way.

battleheads · 20/07/2023 04:10

I'm currently taking action short of a strike where employers are making 100% deductions for every day I don't work 'normally'.

It's incredibly financially difficult. I have been docked 27 days' pay this month. The union are not making any more hardship payments and the local branch has very little money.

That some of my union colleagues voted to go on strike and then individually didn't (and have not taken any pay cut but will collect any pay rise if and when it comes) has caused huge ruptures here. They're riding off the backs of those of us carrying the punitive pay deductions. It's shite. I say this so you're aware of the possible impact. Everyone will no doubt be nice face-to-face but it will change what people think of you.

It's really hard.

User894532765 · 20/07/2023 04:38

I would probably get a job in the private sector as this will happen time and time again

ElizaMulvil · 20/07/2023 05:19

There used to be a song started 'one is workers unity and ever more will be so.'

Crossing a picket line ? NO.

If you're going to take the benefits of a strike it's hypocritical to not take the pain but expect others to take the pain for you.

The lowest of the low.

LoudSnoringDog · 20/07/2023 05:35

None of us can “afford” to strike. I voted to strike pretty much knowing that it would mean I would be financially compromised. This is the sacrifice you make in order to demand better pay and conditions.

Natsku · 20/07/2023 05:39

If you don't understand how unions work why did you join one?

If you can't afford to strike, and can't get help from a hardship fund, then leave the union rather than weaken it from within, otherwise you might never benefit from the pay rises the strikers might get you.

CaptainJackSparrow85 · 20/07/2023 05:56

I have some sympathy in the sense that there aren’t many things more irritating that ‘principled’ people who have their ‘principles’ funded by a wealthy spouse in a corporate job

WeightInLine · 20/07/2023 05:59

ElizaMulvil · 20/07/2023 05:19

There used to be a song started 'one is workers unity and ever more will be so.'

Crossing a picket line ? NO.

If you're going to take the benefits of a strike it's hypocritical to not take the pain but expect others to take the pain for you.

The lowest of the low.

OP, just ignore this stuff. It is bullying.

You make your own decisions for your own circumstances and leave this level of social control back in the 70’s where it belongs.

Fortunately, we live in a free society and there’s nothing to be gained by this sort of coercion.

LadyWithLapdog · 20/07/2023 06:08

Hawkins0001 · 20/07/2023 01:18

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

Are you 12?

TerfTalking · 20/07/2023 06:14

DD a HCP asked for my opinion on whether she should strike if she voted yes to striking.

My answer was, if you knew that only those that had gone out on strike got the pay rise, would that impact your decision?

tttigress · 20/07/2023 06:19

Seems a bit odd to vote to go on strike, if you had no intentions of going on strike.

Nevertheless, if your manager starts causing trouble, I would go to HR.

Pippa12 · 20/07/2023 07:01

Strike tho you can’t afford it 😂😂 we’ll just tell NatWest that on the 1st we are short on the mortgage that’s gone up £100’s of pounds 😂😂 and before you start harping on that ‘you shouldn’t have a mortgage you can’t afford!’ We can… but not taking REPEATED days off work every 6 weeks!!!!

Those quoting ‘hardship funds’ have you looked into the criteria to be eligible?

I understand you cocked up voting strike. Don’t feel pressured into it, if you can’t afford it you can’t afford it!

Nurses went on strike, they voted no to the pay deal. It got pushed through anyway!!! All that for less that £80 a month after tax!

Mumof2teens79 · 20/07/2023 07:04

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.

I am beginning to wonder.
I have suspected for several months that many people voting to strike, or critiquing strikes, don't know you don't get paid.

DarkWingDuck · 20/07/2023 07:07

You don’t have to strike but I assume you will be not be accepting any pay rise as a result of the strikes.

Mumof2teens79 · 20/07/2023 07:11

OP have you realised if you don't strike you will have to physically cross a picket line....walk passed your striking collea6to get into work?
I have done this but luckily in an organisation with multiple unions where only one was out on strike so lots of us were doing the same.
Picket lines can't impede you but it can be very uncomfortable and can cause rifts in the workplace. I don't agree with this but you need to know that it does happen. That is why there is a vote.

Maybe because I lived through miners strikes being on the news it seems more real to me. Miners were out of work for months/years....often the sole earner not getting paid, families starving and huge rifts in communities as some individuals went back

UndercoverCop · 20/07/2023 07:15

I'm a long standing union member and am appalled by some of the responses here.
OP if you want to strike all about hardship fund via your rep, if that's not available and you can't afford to that's also fine.
Often younger people are put off joining unions because of some of the snarky attitudes seen on this thread.
FWIW I voted not to strike in the last couple of ballots because in my industry everyone just rearranges their work to non strike days and the general public are not affected by this anyway, so it's utterly pointless.

SweetSakura · 20/07/2023 07:22

Agree @UndercoverCop the militant attitudes and lack of compassion for people who can't afford to lose income is what has deterred me from joining a union at work.

KimberleyClark · 20/07/2023 07:27

PinkDaffodil2 · 19/07/2023 22:03

Is it possible to take annual leave that day? Or at least say you will be striking, or might be striking so they have to plan for your absence, they then have to pay you when you come in but the intended disruption has still occurred - they’ve had to plan for your absence etc (depends a lot on the job I appreciate!).

You’d only be able to take annual leave if you booked it before it was known there would be a strike that day.

I too think it is pretty low to vote for strike action but not be prepared to carry it through and still expect to reap the benefits if the strike results in pay rise/improved conditions.