30 Nov Strike

spheric

I'm wrestling with my conscience over this right now as it happens. I'm a new lecturer, who joined his university on the first day of the newly imposed pension system. I haven't joined a union, given I'm on a fixed term contract and generally have few rights to protect.

On the one hand, its clear to see that the new pension rules that cover me haven't been brought in because of people living longer: the total combined amount paid in annually by my employer and I has dropped... My employer pays far less, and I a fair bit more, which is obviously something I'm not happy about. Crossing a picket line and undermining those who are fighting for an improved deal that will benefit me more than them doesn't sit well.

On the other hand, I signed the contract knowing the new pension rules would apply, I'd feel hypocritical joining a picket line after signing up to the very terms that are being protested against. Nobody changed my terms against my will.

To add additional spice, a significant amount of the workload in my department comes from students dropping in for a hand with some work, or something they're doing in their own time. This is done ad hoc, with queries picked up by whoever is free (and whoever the student likes). If I cross the picket line and go to work, I'll inevitably be covering some of the duties of striking co-workers, which doesn't sit well at all.

I'd like to see my contract extended at the end of the run. Given the people who'll make decisions in that regard are my colleagues, many of whom will be striking, I've no idea whether its more dangerous to mark myself out as a troublemaker, or as someone who undermines a joint cause.

In short, its a mess

timmeh500

Dave_Trainer wrote: »

Thanks to everyone for their point of view:)

I don't want to get into the whys and wherefores of unions and strikes

I guess what I am really asking is can they sack me if I refuse to change my day off?

I have decided that I am going to refuse, mainly for selfish reasons, I am not in any union and have no inclination to join one and I did not have any say in this strike so don't see why I should be inconvenienced by having to change my plans (my family come first in my view)

also I would be doing duties that I do not normally do and are not in the scope of my job, (also management have been told that there is to be no cover, or else what is the point of the strike, so why am I being asked to provide cover?) it is nonsensical in my view

If there is no cover, there is no cover on that day, so to quote someone close to me "I don't get paid enough to worry about carp like that":rotfl:

Thanks to everyone for replying

It's difficult to say without seeing your contract but I'd highly doubt they'd be in any position to sack you/take any action for not changing your regular day. I guess your contract states the number of hours per week, instead of days, to keep the actual days you work flexible. However if you have been in a routine of not working Wednesdays for some time then it can be argued that this is an "implied term of your contract." If this is the case then would still be expected that your employer would give reasonable notice to change the days you are working. The question is, is 1 week reasonable? In my own situation I would say it is but this would obviously be different for people with child care arrangements etc.

By the by, at my work people can go on strike if they are in the union or not. Not allowed to ask who is in the Union so if someone is on strike it is assumed they are either in a Union or sympathise with the case.

Deal_Chaser

You must all do what you think you must only YOU can make up your own mind.... I am a union member and as such I will be out on strike as someone else has said the unions do not strike until they have exhausted all avenues first. The strike might be viewed by some as inconvient however it is about much much more, the government idea is for us all to work a lot longer, pay increased amounts to our pensions and then receive a reduced amount as per our current terms/conditions. Contrary to public beliefs & certain media thoughts lol I do not receive GOLDEN handshake pensions far from it many work for 30yrs and their pensions are far from gilt plated. They are totally changing the goal posts and are also advising that should be linked to CPI rates rather than RPI even further decrease and therefore detrimental change. Public Sector workers have had a 3yr wage freeze on pay also there have already been numerous redundancies/recruitment freezes however the work still has to done by the remaining staff ..... !!! the Govt is attacking pensions as see it is as an easy target and public vote winner lol There would only be private sector if Govt had its way do not seem to be interested in providing public services. The bankers created many of these current austerity cuts however their profits continue to soar and bonuses spiral out of control whilst also reluctant to lend to businesses. They should be made to pay back the money and this would not be an issue. All the future recommendations from the Govt are about welfare reform/universal credit etc will have a major impact on MANY in society and at this rate there will be no or very limited public services to assist and unless there is a Govt magic wand then jobs in the private sector are fast evaporating ... link this in with the Universal Credits imposition and many will be in for a very rude awakening!
Public Services need protecting not destroying/diluted and staff have the right to protect services and their pensions terms/conditions which they were promised. it might not seem like message not heard however mass demo with combined unions should at least make a point and show the level of feeling. Each individual needs to make their own decision as to how they view the strike and long term prospects and whether they feel it a just cause!!!

Aminz1333

Hi everyone,

I have my own question on this topic which I have not been able to work out the answer to and I'm hoping someone can help me...

I work for the NHS as an Occupational Therapist on a 0 hour contract. As such I don't have the funds to be able to aford to be a part of a union. I fully support the strike and had I being a part of a union I would not have had to think twice about striking as I think it's an outrage what they are proposing to our pensions! However, as I am not, I was under the believe that I have no option and that I had to go into work (even though this will mean having to cross a picket line!). I was recently told that this was not the case and that even though I am not in a union, I do have the right to strike!

My question is this ... Is this right? Can I strike and not worry about any repercussions coming upon me as a result?

Thank you for any feedback on this issue.

esmy

Dave Trainer, what would you have done if you had been asked to change your working day next week and there had been no strike that day? If you wouldn't have done so because of prior arrangements then I'd suggest you take the same line for 30th.

t0rt0ise

Aminz1333 wrote: »

I was recently told that this was not the case and that even though I am not in a union, I do have the right to strike!

I don't think we have the right to strike in the UK therefore any action is always seen as union action and if you went out on your own you could simply be taken as absent and disciplined appropriately. Even those in the union could be disciplined but they won't be because it would cause even more trouble. Which group of workers was it who all got the sack for striking.. I forget.

But anyway, in your case, who is to know that you're not in a union. People pay their dues via direct debit and so on so the employer doesn't know who is in a union and who isn't.

wolfehouse

unison has published some good info
http://www.unison.org.uk/pensions/faqs.asp
and you can email any questions to them
the email they sent to my workplace said something ( better check as i'm not sure of details)
about how non union members
should fill out the form letter provided by the union if they wanted to participate
by not going in, and that would cover them (but i wasn't particularly paying attention)

TeaForOne

t0rt0ise wrote: »

I don't think we have the right to strike in the UK therefore any action is always seen as union action and if you went out on your own you could simply be taken as absent and disciplined appropriately. Even those in the union could be disciplined but they won't be because it would cause even more trouble. Which group of workers was it who all got the sack for striking.. I forget.

But anyway, in your case, who is to know that you're not in a union. People pay their dues via direct debit and so on so the employer doesn't know who is in a union and who isn't.

The directgov website (search "directgov strike") suggests that a non union employee striking with union members engaged in an official strike can claim unfair dismissal.

Yes, an employer can sack the whole workforce but I can't see that happening next week!

magenta22

A lot of companies are trying to encourage not to strike because of the impact on the general public.

OH firm have said if they have holiday pre-booked they will honour it.

If they want to WFH that day they will still lose a days pay! So it's been decided that they might as well strike!

thegirlintheattic

Dave_Trainer wrote: »

Thanks to everyone for their point of view:)

I don't want to get into the whys and wherefores of unions and strikes

I guess what I am really asking is can they sack me if I refuse to change my day off?

I have decided that I am going to refuse, mainly for selfish reasons, I am not in any union and have no inclination to join one and I did not have any say in this strike so don't see why I should be inconvenienced by having to change my plans (my family come first in my view)

also I would be doing duties that I do not normally do and are not in the scope of my job, (also management have been told that there is to be no cover, or else what is the point of the strike, so why am I being asked to provide cover?) it is nonsensical in my view

If there is no cover, there is no cover on that day, so to quote someone close to me "I don't get paid enough to worry about carp like that":rotfl:

Thanks to everyone for replying

Depends on your contract/job really whether they can fire you. If your contract only states x hours a week, and depending on the notice you've been given to change your usual day, they could discipline you for not being available for work the contracted hours but it is unlikely they will fire you. This is strengthened further by the fact that you would be doing duties not outlined in your job description - which you can legally refuse to do.

I would simply say that you have plans and cannot come in.