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

[Strik]

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?

She's talking about following the majority decision of the union and not crossing picket lines as being 'invisible rules' of being in a union. Of course they aren't invisible at all, but she is as just ignorant to them.

Given how strongly you can see people feel on the matter, I'd consider how your coworkers, not just your boss might view you.

If you've told a single person there you voted to strike, and then don't strike, I don't think you will be winning yourself any friends at work!

So you’re happy to not accept the pay rises and improved conditions the union negotiated?

When I worked in local government union members went on strike, 3 days in total and ended up with the same deal that was on the table to start with! All the strikes did was mean union members lost money and everyone else's pay rise was delayed.

Interested in people saying nobody can know whether you are a union member or not. In that same role non union members not turning up for work was classed as misconduct, how would that work if nobody was allowed to know whether you were in the union or not?

It offers those protections partly BECAUSE it can use collective action. E.g. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-66183339.

It seems like you've just joined the union without really understanding what you've got yourself into or giving it any critical thought tbh - and that's on you.

Surely HR/payroll know who is in a union? My union subs used to come direct from my wages!

Have a read of this for an explanation of why we have unions and what they can do
https://www.striking-women.org/module/rights-and-responsibilities/claiming-rights-role-trade-unions-uk

People are really funny about unions and striking OP, they turn into fucking communists I swear.

I would not say anything to anyone about your choices, you can choose to vote for people to strike if they choose to and you don't have to strike yourself - there is literally nothing to say you can't do that. You can also vote against a strike and then choose to strike. You pay to be in that Union and you are perfectly entitled to do what you need to.

People are assholes about it though, militants on their own high horses bleating on like it's still the 1970's. Unfortunately your boss sounds like one of them so don't tell her what you're doing and if she finds out after then say you couldn't afford not to work. If she starts treating you badly over it then make a complaint as she is not allowed to do that - and that is actually a rule.

What does your workplace policy say about discussing politics in the office? I would feel uncomfortable having a manager who is very open about their political views and dismissive of anyone with opposing views (even if my own political beliefs aligned with theirs'). Seems very unprofessional and like it would create a pretty hostile working environment.

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

What does that even mean? If you can take the short-term pain for longer-term gain, I see what you're saying; but some people on here simply clearly don't understand what it's like to have NO money available and essential bills to be paid and kids to feed.

Even in the realms of the underpaid, there is still a hierarchy of privilege.

Wow how nasty most people are. Again showing the further left you are the less nice! And bringing up the miners, really quite low. And mining should and did need to be stopped, unsafe anyway.
Your boss is a total hypocrite too.

@Boomboom22 do teachers and doctors also need to be stopped? God, you’re so naive. Oh, sorry, that makes me ‘less nice’. Let me just roll over.

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

But those protections have been fought for by unions on the basis that withdrawal of labour is a legitimate means of protest.

I haven’t voted for strike action but if my union call a strike I wouldn’t for the life of me cross a picket line. The whole principle of collective action is that you follow the majority vote - and getting a strike vote over the line is no easy task. I’d certainly not vote for other people to go on strike on my behalf when I had no intention of joining them, while benefitting from the fruits of their actions.

I work in payroll, I know loads of people who have done this. Also know lots of people who say they are on strike to colleagues whilst actually working from home. In the sector I have experience of this has been super common in the last couple of years. They are keen for us in payroll to know that they are not on strike but do support it.

anyone under 40 or even 50 won’t remember the miners strike . Most people over the last few decades have been encouraged to join unions for employment legal advice and dare I say it the discounts on various things membership offers. They don’t understand the tribalism and ridiculous omertà spouted on here.

I am in favour of unions but the qualities displayed on this thread display the very worst side of unions, some are frankly close to bullying and also pretty antediluvian. They also smack of privilege, the idea that landlords would give you extra credit because you are on strike or mortgages holidays for the same reason, is ridiculous. It’s not always short term either look at the railways and the universities both disputes have gone on for over a year.

I used to belong to the main academic union and I regarded striking as an obligation when it was the vote. I think it is a duty of union membership and the larger price of the advantages and protections you value,OP.

By all means enquire about a hardship fund.

OTOH it would be highly unprofessional for your manager to let any information about the strike influence her attitude to her reports. You might want to consult ACAS if this is a concern.

I'm as left wing as they come but I understand OP. I'm a lone parent and no way would I risk losing the roof over my child's head. I'm not in the public sector but I support the strikes, I also feel for people like you.

Would you vote yes to strikes then not strike?

I am also a public sector worker who has lost out on 7 days pay this year due to striking. I too cannot afford to lose the money but did for the greater good. I had colleagues who decided not to strike because they could not afford to lose the money. It’s a bitter pill to swallow when you see all over their social media that they are constantly out doing bottomless brunches in London, on fancy holidays and at expensive concerts. We will all now get the same pay rise if it is agreed by the union yet they have lost nothing for our sacrifice.

@smilesup I'm mid band 6… it’s £80. £20 a week.

Majority rejected the pay offer (RCN), it was pushed through anyway.

Majority cannot afford to strike, hence majority voting for no strike action on the referendum.

Most are, unfortunately, voting with their feet.

Again, has anybody looked into the eligibility criteria for a hardship fund?

I suspect those banging the you must do it or your a scab drum aren’t in the midst of repeated strikes!

I'm a nurse, I could have managed one day of striking. But actually, I just didn't want to strike. I didn't agree with it in the first place anyway. And someone had to look after the patients.

If you can't afford it you can't afford it, but please vote no next time you are balloted.

I get its unintentional but voting for strikes when you have no intention of going on one yourself really is a dick move. I'd keep that bit quiet at work.

If you're against strikes in general it's worth looking to see if your area of work is covered by multiple unions, some of them are more pro striking than others so there may be one that's a better fit for you.

I used to belong to the main academic union and I regarded striking as an obligation when it was the vote. I think it is a duty of union membership and the larger price of the advantages and protections you value,OP.

So are you saying that unions are for those who are relatively poor and underpaid for the job that they do, but the poorest and least privileged people of all are not welcome?

I don't know how it works, I've never worked in the public sector. I didn't know that was a big no no!

"I suspect those banging the you must do it or your a scab drum aren’t in the midst of repeated strikes"

Isn't it more likely that we are the ones in the midst of repeated strikes?

I'm only just getting back on track after losing weeks of pay. Honestly, I would be beyond pissed off if I found out that someone I worked with voted in favour of putting me on strike while they never had any intention of doing it. I voted against and am mightily pissed off to be having to strike but I decided to go with the majority vote.

The idea that some total user would deliberately vote to make other people do it on their behalf is awful! I personally would understand people voting against, or not voting, then not striking because they can't afford it. But to vote others into weeks of poverty is absolutely disgusting.

I think your manager is not behaving with integrity. Everyone has the right to choose what works for them. Not everyone thinks the same, or can afford to strike. But I also think you didn't behave with integrity, by voting to strike when you knew you weren't going to.

I think she is entitled to her opinion. Being a manager doesn't mean that you have no right to an opinion, or to say what that opinion is. I happen to agree with her and would also say what I think. I would not as a manager act differently towards any member of staff who was not striking or not in a union.

If the strikes happen, and if there are positive outcomes as a result, I assume that you will be turning them down on the basis that you did nothing to fight for them?

Thought not.