Strike but not in a Union?

Bobl

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.

What an arrogant bully you are - they must decide using their own principles if they withdraw their labour or not, however if they are not in the union they will be expected to attend for work and can be disciplined if not.

You may be surprised that not everyone supports this strike - in fact most people (i suspect) is dead against it. What is happening to the public sector now is only what the private sector has had to accept for many years, including no pay rises and paying more for our pensions!

About time you joined the real world.

Gothicfairy

In my last job I had this question come up and the people asking where not union members but thought they could strike and still get paid for the day off...They really didn't believe me when I said they could be sacked.

Others have said it much better then I could but I would suggest listening to them and passing that info back to your work mates as it is the best advice they will get for free.

**Juice**

Technically, unless it's salary deduction, how would your employer know whether or not you're in a union? From what I can gather you don't need to disclose this.

It's up to the individual whether or not they choose to strike and what their reasons are for doing so. I also hope someone has explained to your colleagues that they will not receive their pay for the day that they are on strike.

Voyager2002

Horizon81 wrote: »

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.

Firstly, the union response is the best answer. If they feel sufficiently strongly about the issue to go on strike about it, then it would make sense for them to join one of the unions taking action about the problem.

What is very interesting is that they do not want to join the union. I hope very much that you and the workplace shop steward will have a chance to talk with them about this, find out what it is about the union that is so bad in their opinion, and make some changes.

Anyway, the only answer is that anyone who does not turn up for work could potentially face some kind of disciplinary action. If the employers were to try this on a union member, they would face enormous problems in the future so this is unlikely. If disciplinary action were to be taken against someone who goes on strike but is not a union member, the union would then be placed in a very difficult position: should they support such a person for supporting them, even though they cannot really do anything for those who have chosen not to become members?

Itismehonest

As others have said only those balloted are entitled to strike. If the youngsters are not union members, and were not balloted, they risk breach of contract.

Horizon81

Some love and some hate for the unions on here it seems, just as I expected.

I'm not bullying anyone - the people I'm talking about support what the union is trying to achieve to protect pensions. They want to join the union members on strike. If the unions succeed in negotiating a better pensions deal then these people will benefit, so morally, do not accuse me of acting unethically.

As for picket lines, the whole point of it is as a show of strength for a cause. The only people that should cross it are those that do not agree at all with what it stands for and do not wish to show solidarity. As I say above, the colleagues I'm referring to do not want changes to their pensions therefore they should really join a union - whether they do or not is not my choice.

Googlewhacker

Horizon81 wrote: »

Some love and some hate for the unions on here it seems, just as I expected.

I'm not bullying anyone - the people I'm talking about support what the union is trying to achieve to protect pensions. They want to join the union members on strike. If the unions succeed in negotiating a better pensions deal then these people will benefit, so morally, do not accuse me of acting unethically.

As for picket lines, the whole point of it is as a show of strength for a cause. The only people that should cross it are those that do not agree at all with what it stands for and do not wish to show solidarity. As I say above, the colleagues I'm referring to do not want changes to their pensions therefore they should really join a union - whether they do or not is not my choice.

Even if they agree with you in principle, bullying them and intimidating them is disgraceful. They could just decide that the Union is not for them as is their right to choose so and they face the consequence from that.

saintjammyswine

Horizon81 wrote: »

Some love and some hate for the unions on here it seems, just as I expected.

I'm not bullying anyone - the people I'm talking about support what the union is trying to achieve to protect pensions. They want to join the union members on strike. If the unions succeed in negotiating a better pensions deal then these people will benefit, so morally, do not accuse me of acting unethically.

As for picket lines, the whole point of it is as a show of strength for a cause. The only people that should cross it are those that do not agree at all with what it stands for and do not wish to show solidarity. As I say above, the colleagues I'm referring to do not want changes to their pensions therefore they should really join a union - whether they do or not is not my choice.

Or those for whom a day's wages are of more immediate concern!

Googlewhacker

Also when only 1/4 of the unions actually voted for the strike this means that there will be a large percentage that don't agree with the strike and as such won't strike even if they are members....would you intimidate them???

Horizon81

Googlewhacker wrote: »

Even if they agree with you in principle, bullying them and intimidating them is disgraceful. They could just decide that the Union is not for them as is their right to choose so and they face the consequence from that.

Get over it! I got the word 'intimidating' from a local government policy, which stated that some workers may feel intimidated to cross the picket line. It's up to them how they feel about it, whether they agree with the strike or not and whether they cross it or not. It's a non violent show of strength and solidarity, and to put a face to the strike. Obviously some people will cross the line - whether they agree with it or not. My original question was whether, legally, they will be treated any different to union members should they go on strike.