30 Nov Strike

Dave_Trainer

Hi, folks,

I am looking for some advice, I have spent a while browsing forums but not found the definitive answer I need

Briefly, I work part-time and not in any union. I work x number of hours per week over x many days (forgive the scant details, do not want to be identified) I do not work on Wednesdays but have been asked by management if I am in a union and can I swap the day I work that week to cover for the strikers?

I would like to know if this is normal practice and am I within my rights to refuse as I have other commitments and to be honest I would not feel comfortable crossing picket lines, etc ?

My contract is rather generic as everyone gets the same one, mine just states I am contracted to work x number of hours per week and it was verbally agreed that I would work certain days, which I have done for the past 3 years

Thanks in advance for any replies

LittleMrsThrifty

If you can't do it because you have committments, say that. However next time you want to swap your days to fit in with your own plans you might find thgem less accommodating.

You wouldn't actually be crossing the picket line as you're not in a union.

I don't know the legalities/ethics of employers asking non union employees to cover strikes.

Dave_Trainer

thanks for reply, yeah just not sure if they can insist on this,

I have never in all the time I have been there swapped days, I just work the certain ones each week

Jarndyce

The answer is simple - join the union and support the strike.

t0rt0ise

LittleMrsThrifty wrote: »

If you can't do it because you have committments, say that. However next time you want to swap your days to fit in with your own plans you might find thgem less accommodating.

Personally that won't worry me. I won't change shifts to support management.

I'm not in a union because I'm only in a temp contract. If it ever becomes permanent then I'll join. At the moment I don't feel like it's my argument but I will support them by declining to change shifts.

I don't know the legalities/ethics of employers asking non union employees to cover strikes.

In the NHS, they aren't allowed to use agency staff to cover but can ask bank staff or normal staff to cover.

yellowmug

Legally it's fine but ethically I really think it's wrong. You're still crossing the picket line even if you aren't in the union. Continuing to work your normal job as a non-union member is one thing, but actively covering the work of a striking colleague is quite another. You're undermining the union's effort to improve conditions for all if you cover their work. It's very much a question for your own person ethics, but I think you shouldn't do it.

SarEl

yellowmug wrote: »

Legally it's fine but ethically I really think it's wrong. You're still crossing the picket line even if you aren't in the union. Continuing to work your normal job as a non-union member is one thing, but actively covering the work of a striking colleague is quite another. You're undermining the union's effort to improve conditions for all if you cover their work. It's very much a question for your own person ethics, but I think you shouldn't do it.

I agree. A picket line is a picket line, and whether you are in a union or not, if you cross, then you are crossing. I would advise sticking with "I am terribly sorry, if you'd asked me a month ago I could have done it but I now have commitments that I can't change". That way you are not refusing but you aren't agreeing either.

magenta22

Okay, know someone who's firm will have to be part of these strikes, Has been told to either work from home or take it as a day holiday!

jazzyman01

Hopefully you will listen to the advice from SarEl and not just barrel in and join a union! I have successfully dealt with a number of cases for friends and family over the years and in every case they were rejected by the relevant union and told they had no case.

SarEl

jazzyman01 wrote: »

Hopefully you will listen to the advice from SarEl and not just barrel in and join a union! I have successfully dealt with a number of cases for friends and family over the years and in every case they were rejected by the relevant union and told they had no case.

Since I absolutely believe in being a member of a trades union, I would just like to say that I neither support nor endorse this opinion! I did not say don't join a union. I said that in these circumstances being unable to change personal commitments to work a day not routinely worked may be the most politic approach. I would never cross a picket line, nor would I support anyone doing so; and I do not think that being a temporary and/or part-time employee is a good reason not to be a union member - often times these are the ones who need it most!

Bobl

It depends on how you feel about the strike and Unions, personally I don't support the strike and would never join a Union so crossing a picket line would not worry me in the least. There is another angle to consider; do you believe the public should be disadvantaged by the strike through loss of services that you could provide. A matter of personal conscience.