teacher's strike

Poppy9

Janepig wrote: »

Then the union are going to have to rethink my membership aren't they? Why would I be a member of the union, and accept the benefits that entails (should I have a griveance, be sacked, etc...) but then not play ball when some of them decide to strike. Imo, that's not how it works. And although these days there's stricter rules on how strike breakers should be treated, trust me, colleagues aren't going to you get away with it.

It's not as easy as just going against the vote and going into work, not at all. I'm told that alot of unison members working for DH's local authority will be going into work (I don't know if that's true) but with a 28% turn out then it wouldn't surprise me. What makes me mad is that if everyone had voted then either there would be no strike (as I suspect) or at least the government would be more inclined to sit up and listen.

I don't personally know any union members who are not striking, teachers or otherwise - I think most, if not all, the schools and colleges around here are shut. I don't know that there's going to be much in the way of pickets or demos either. I'm definitely not picketing, neither is DH. We're spending the day blitzing the house ready for Christmas, so at least it will be productive.

Jx

Janepig wrote: »

I can be silent no longer! The vast majority of union members will not be picketting or attending rallies, not because of childcare, but because they didn't vote, ie, were apathetic as to whether the strike went ahead or not. Unison for instance have called a strike based on a 28% turn out. My union (NAPO) have called a strike (which I voted no for) based on a 48% turn out so at least that's a bit better, but not a ringing endorsement, and the teachers unions didn't have a particularly big turnout either as I recall. Certainly the government have spotted this.

Obviously, being part of a union I have to accept that I will be on strike next Wednesday, but tbh I'm fuming about it. Me and DH both losing a day's pay for something that'll get us absolutely nowhere. The government aren't going to change their minds on this and more than anything it's just the unions kicking against the Condems. Political pawns is what we are.

DH and his department went on strike for 8 weeks afew years ago and achieved the sum total of naff all, even with manning the picket lines, marching and rallying, etc.... Used by the union for political point scoring, nothing less. Didn't realise it at the time though.


Jx

I know of some unison members who are on "annual leave" on the strike day which is pretending to strike IMO!

Aside from that I don't know anyone, union member or non union member who is coming into work next week.

I did hear that a neighbouring authority is "closed" because the Service Heads are on strike so if staff do want to work they have to go in, sign a book and leave again.

I remember some bitter strikes from 20 years ago where some staff came into work and it caused bitter splits in sections/teams that never recovered and their union membership was cancelled.

I think there was a low turnout, as there is with all elections, union or government because many people do not have the guts to put their cross where their mouth is. We live in a democracy but only a handful of the electorate exercise their right to vote.

ps. I remember your OH and those being on strike, a dreadful time and I think all union members should have been asked to do more to support them. Under the new pension proposals don't they lose their right to remain in the pension fund if TUPEd to a private sector employer as your OH was?

barbarawright

Once a strike has been announced, which will be at least 6 weeks in advance, you generally can't book annual leave. FWIW, 7 out of 8 people in my department (a public library) will be on strike and we will have a picket line (which I will be on). Don't assume apathy on everyone's part.

Janepig

Poppy9 wrote: »

I know of some unison members who are on "annual leave" on the strike day which is pretending to strike IMO!

Aside from that I don't know anyone, union member or non union member who is coming into work next week.

DH hasn't told me that, it's someone working in another department who I see regularly. She said that lots of unison members would definitely be going into work. I find it had to believe but she was sure.

Poppy9 wrote: »

I did hear that a neighbouring authority is "closed" because the Service Heads are on strike so if staff do want to work they have to go in, sign a book and leave again.

I remember some bitter strikes from 20 years ago where some staff came into work and it caused bitter splits in sections/teams that never recovered and their union membership was cancelled.

I think there was a low turnout, as there is with all elections, union or government because many people do not have the guts to put their cross where their mouth is. We live in a democracy but only a handful of the electorate exercise their right to vote.

ps. I remember your OH and those being on strike, a dreadful time and I think all union members should have been asked to do more to support them. Under the new pension proposals don't they lose their right to remain in the pension fund if TUPEd to a private sector employer as your OH was?

DH is still part of the local authority, CG didn't want his department when they took over. The LA didn't want him either but were stuck with him!!

Jx

Poppy9

barbarawright wrote: »

Once a strike has been announced, which will be at least 6 weeks in advance, you generally can't book annual leave. FWIW, 7 out of 8 people in my department (a public library) will be on strike and we will have a picket line (which I will be on). Don't assume apathy on everyone's part.

We were told on the 4th November was final day for booking leave. They didn't tell us till a few days later though but some obviously knew and booked themselves off!

ps. Will the librarians have a quiet picket line with lots of whispering

JC9297

emweaver wrote: »

As I said because Im a bad mummy lol I dont need to give a complete stranger a reason

Yes I guess it does make you a bad parent if you don't take your child to school when it is open if your child is not ill, and you have not sought authorisation for the absence.

shellsuit

Nara wrote: »

Well if you have 1 child like me then you never have to worry about these sort of problems!

Are you OK all the way up there?

picnmix

I'm really stuck on this one, I am a member of a striking union - NHS, have 1 DD at school - the school will be closing, but I really cannot afford a day off work, if I don't go in on Wednesday it will hit us really hard, I work strange hours and the day will cost me a third of my weeks wage. I have childcare already sorted as have a preschooler. My manager has asked for anyone working to cover others away - this is something that I am not willing to do, if I do go to work I will do my own job, but not cover anyone who is striking. My DH has said to do what I think is right, in my heart I think supporting my colleagues who are striking is the right thing to do, but my head is screaming at me - what the hell will you do come the end of the month when you don't have enough money to last. One of my colleagues gave me a bit a of a lecture about why I should be striking, which I fully understand, but as Weds is her day off I'm not sure she has made the decision to march will the same feelings that I am still struggling with. Sorry for the waffel - but really really struggling to come to a decision and am now getting nervous about the repercussions of not striking. I know this is not what this thread is about and know that no-one else can make up my mind for me - just got it off my chest I suppose - please don't shoot me down in flames.

msb5262

picnmix wrote: »

I'm really stuck on this one, I am a member of a striking union - NHS, have 1 DD at school - the school will be closing, but I really cannot afford a day off work, if I don't go in on Wednesday it will hit us really hard, I work strange hours and the day will cost me a third of my weeks wage. I have childcare already sorted as have a preschooler. My manager has asked for anyone working to cover others away - this is something that I am not willing to do, if I do go to work I will do my own job, but not cover anyone who is striking. My DH has said to do what I think is right, in my heart I think supporting my colleagues who are striking is the right thing to do, but my head is screaming at me - what the hell will you do come the end of the month when you don't have enough money to last. One of my colleagues gave me a bit a of a lecture about why I should be striking, which I fully understand, but as Weds is her day off I'm not sure she has made the decision to march will the same feelings that I am still struggling with. Sorry for the waffel - but really really struggling to come to a decision and am now getting nervous about the repercussions of not striking. I know this is not what this thread is about and know that no-one else can make up my mind for me - just got it off my chest I suppose - please don't shoot me down in flames.

Poor you - what a hideous situation. I feel really sorry that you want to strike but basically can't afford to do so.
Your manager is NOT ALLOWED to ask anyone to cover for workers on strike and EVERYONE is entitled to refuse to do so, whether or not they belong to a union.
At my school, I'm striking; we have teachers in a non-striking union who will of course be attending work - but they have stated that of course they will not be covering any of the work of striking teachers. This is the correct and legal course of action...if you do go to work, please don't let your boss railroad you into covering for others who are striking.
If you want to strike, can you cancel Wednesday's childcare and get some of that money back? Can you ask for extra hours this week or next? Presumably there will be things which will still need doing as a result of the strike action - you might be able to take short lunch hours/start early/stay late??? Just picking my brain as to how you can do what you think is right AND avoid real money problems.
I'm not shooting you down in flames and wouldn't do so - some of my colleagues who are in my union will be working on Wednesday and although I feel very sad as they'll be breaking our strike, I'm not angry with them.
Hope you manage to find a solution.
All the best
MsB

picnmix

msb5262 wrote: »

Poor you - what a hideous situation. I feel really sorry that you want to strike but basically can't afford to do so.
Your manager is NOT ALLOWED to ask anyone to cover for workers on strike and EVERYONE is entitled to refuse to do so, whether or not they belong to a union.
At my school, I'm striking; we have teachers in a non-striking union who will of course be attending work - but they have stated that of course they will not be covering any of the work of striking teachers. This is the correct and legal course of action...if you do go to work, please don't let your boss railroad you into covering for others who are striking.
If you want to strike, can you cancel Wednesday's childcare and get some of that money back? Can you ask for extra hours this week or next? Presumably there will be things which will still need doing as a result of the strike action - you might be able to take short lunch hours/start early/stay late??? Just picking my brain as to how you can do what you think is right AND avoid real money problems.
I'm not shooting you down in flames and wouldn't do so - some of my colleagues who are in my union will be working on Wednesday and although I feel very sad as they'll be breaking our strike, I'm not angry with them.
Hope you manage to find a solution.
All the best
MsB

Hi thanks for the reply, childcare is provided by grandparents so not an issue, I don't get paid for extra hours in my current job, time in leiu if work extra, which is practically a daily occurence! Sadly I'm just going to have to make a decision and stick with it as keep going round in circles in my head. Many thanks for your kind reply.

Poppy9

picnmix wrote: »

I'm really stuck on this one, I am a member of a striking union - NHS, have 1 DD at school - the school will be closing, but I really cannot afford a day off work, if I don't go in on Wednesday it will hit us really hard, I work strange hours and the day will cost me a third of my weeks wage. I have childcare already sorted as have a preschooler. My manager has asked for anyone working to cover others away - this is something that I am not willing to do, if I do go to work I will do my own job, but not cover anyone who is striking. My DH has said to do what I think is right, in my heart I think supporting my colleagues who are striking is the right thing to do, but my head is screaming at me - what the hell will you do come the end of the month when you don't have enough money to last. One of my colleagues gave me a bit a of a lecture about why I should be striking, which I fully understand, but as Weds is her day off I'm not sure she has made the decision to march will the same feelings that I am still struggling with. Sorry for the waffel - but really really struggling to come to a decision and am now getting nervous about the repercussions of not striking. I know this is not what this thread is about and know that no-one else can make up my mind for me - just got it off my chest I suppose - please don't shoot me down in flames.

I was a part time for 16 years and like you everytime I went on strike I lost 1/3 not 1/5th of my pay. Unison does have a welfare fund for members in hardship through striking.

Re covering work. Your employer can ask you to cover strikers work as all public sector workers have in their job description something like "and other duties commensurate with their grade" . It's no different from being asked to cover when a colleague is off sick.

People who are on strike can refuse to do the backlog of work caused by their strike as they withheld their labour for a day and didn't get paid for that days work. Easier said than done though as no one else will do my blooming work!!

I work full time now as my OH is no longer working due to ill health so being the only wage earner in the family is going to hit me hard too but I can cover it as I've always had my rainy day monies.