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Strike but not in a Union?

Firstly, let me say I am a member of a union which will be on strike next Wednesday. However, there are several younger colleagues who are not in a union and they're wondering if they have the same rights as us to strike e.g. does the employer have any more grounds to fire them than a union member if they don't attend work either??

It's pointless asking unions for an answer as they just say that it's a great opportunity to sign up new members and don't answer the question.
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Comments

  • I guess if they don't attend work and haven't booked the day off then it's viewed unauthorised absence, so not recommended. If they're not in the union then I don't believe they are entitled to strike, whether they should do so morally is another matter.
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  • Emmzi
    Emmzi Posts: 8,658 Forumite
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    it's the TU which ballots for and calls the strike and its members who are protected from disciplinary action. no membership = no protection.
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    New house. Bigger mortgage. MFWB after I have my buffer cash in place.
  • t0rt0ise
    t0rt0ise Posts: 4,509 Forumite
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    http://labourlist.org/2011/06/what-is-the-right-to-strike/

    "Here in the UK, we do not have the right to strike. The law only recognises the existence of ‘trade disputes’, which severely limits the grounds for action (and virtually excludes agency workers or outsourced employees). Where employees do take action they are deemed to have broken their contract of employment – a sackable offence."

    So it seems that union members only have protection because the employer dare not take them on.
  • Valli
    Valli Posts: 25,570 Forumite
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    edited 24 November 2011 at 12:05AM
    They are perfectly entitled, AFAIK, to withdraw their labour...and the employer can instigate discipliary procedures against them for so doing because they have no representation! So it would be, I believe, an illegal strike.

    You know, as I do, that a lot of people fought long and hard for the right to be represented in the workplace. Unions do a fantastic job of protecting workers against workplace harrassment and unfair working practices - so much so that a certain M. Thatcher made it her life mission to break the unions.

    And look at the situation for young people today, coming into the workforce, from higher education, with massive debt. 1 million youth unemployed.

    So I'm out on strike on Wednesday - not just for me but because, one day soon my kids will be, I hope, in the workforce. I'd really prefer them not to be saddled with debt and have no hope of a decent pension.

    So, OP, in summary, no. And if they are public employees they should, IMO, be in the union which is there to protect them.
    Don't put it DOWN; put it AWAY
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  • Emmzi
    Emmzi Posts: 8,658 Forumite
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    very well said Valli. and I hope some of these younger colleagues sign up.
    Debt free 4th April 2007.
    New house. Bigger mortgage. MFWB after I have my buffer cash in place.
  • Horizon81
    Horizon81 Posts: 1,594 Forumite
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    I agree it should be one for all and all for one, but some of these youngsters don't want to sign up, which is why I'd like them to still support the strike whether members or not. It's better than them going into work! I must say from reading other posts I thought they'd be treated the same by the employer, as they could say they were intimidated not to cross the picket line (as they bloomin' well should be!). In any case, I'd be very surprised if a public sector employer decided to invoke disciplinary procedures on non members for supporting a strike.
  • Valli
    Valli Posts: 25,570 Forumite
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    Since (been to a union meeting tonight, actually) I have just been told that striking is illegal then, were I NOT in a union I would be very wary of 'just' not turning in. Who is going to fight their corner? The only legal way they can support the strike is to NOT cover for anyone else - and even then they're on dodgy ground, as they are employed to do what they're directed to do, as long as it's reasonable and legal (basically, anyway).

    But tell 'em not to bother joining the union and you and your cronies won't bother arguing when they're the ones lined up for redundancy when cost cutting becomes essential because they're not in a union so no ones going to fight for them.
    Don't put it DOWN; put it AWAY
    "I would like more sisters, that the taking out of one, might not leave such stillness" Emily Dickinson
    :heart:Janice 1964-2016:heart:

    Thank you Honey Bear
  • Torry_Quine
    Torry_Quine Posts: 18,884 Forumite
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    Horizon81 wrote: »
    I agree it should be one for all and all for one, but some of these youngsters don't want to sign up, which is why I'd like them to still support the strike whether members or not. It's better than them going into work! I must say from reading other posts I thought they'd be treated the same by the employer, as they could say they were intimidated not to cross the picket line (as they bloomin' well should be!). In any case, I'd be very surprised if a public sector employer decided to invoke disciplinary procedures on non members for supporting a strike.

    I am very disappointed in your atttitude. Joining a union and going on strike are for the individual to decide and if someone doesn't want to it's up to them.

    No-one should be intimidated not to cross a picket line as again it's individual choice.
    Lost my soulmate so life is empty.

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  • Mara69
    Mara69 Posts: 1,409 Forumite
    I work for my local Government and won't be be striking on Wednesday. We have received an e-mail outlining the basics of the strike and it clearly says that if an employee chooses not to cross a picket line (not that they think there will be any) then they will enjoy the same protection as those that are in the Union.
  • withabix
    withabix Posts: 9,508 Forumite
    edited 24 November 2011 at 8:19AM
    Horizon81 wrote: »
    they could say they were intimidated not to cross the picket line (as they bloomin' well should be!).

    Typical trade union intimidation, bullying and threats.

    Remind me to spit on the next idiot I see trying to stop someone exercising their right to cross a picket line.
    British Ex-pat in British Columbia!
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