Implications of taking industrial action?

Southend1

Hi everyone. I work in higher education and our union is currently balloting for strike action because the employers have offered only 1% pay increase this year following 0.5% 0.4% and £150 in the last three years. The employers are saying that the Government is demanding a limit to pay increases in the public sector of 1%, however the universities are quick to point out they aren't technically part of the public sector when it suits them, but when it comes to this they choose to be included as part of it! I have thought long and hard about how to vote and taking into account that our pay has effectively been cut each year for three years now and the universities are continually boasting of strong surpluses, high cash balances, and having large amounts of money to invest, I am minded to vote yes. What I would like to know before I do, is whether there is any implication of striking other than losing a day's pay? The union ballot paper mentions that by taking part in strike action we may be breaching our contract of employment, but there is some protection from unfair dismissal as a result of this. I obviously don't want to get myself into trouble or lose my job over this however it is something that I feel very strongly about and would like to make a stand over.

ILW

If I was a manager, I know who I would and wouldn't recommend when it came to promotions etc.

ohreally

Follow the advice from your union closely. Action taken will likely be compliant with law which will provide you with a degree of protection against unfair dismissal.

There is a good laymans guide here...http://www.bis.gov.uk/assets/biscore/employment-matters/docs/10-922-industrial-action-employee-guide

Notmyrealname

ILW wrote: »

If I was a manager, I know who I would and wouldn't recommend when it came to promotions etc.

This. Your cards would be definitely marked.

ali-t

I would usually agree with the points the other posters have made here but at the last strike action in the local authority, my area seemed to be promoting people going out on strike as long as there was cover available. In these times of austerity the saved wage bill was huge and took some of the pressure off when savings had to be made.

Southend1

ILW wrote: »

If I was a manager, I know who I would and wouldn't recommend when it came to promotions etc.

I imagine many managers would take part in the industrial action as it affects them too! Promotions in education administration are few and far between and people tend to stay in the same job for many years so I don't realistically consider I have much chance of promotion with my current employer anyway. I'm not really concerned about annoying my manager by being absent for a day as the issue at stake is much more important than not annoying someone. What I really want to know is the legal implications of taking part in the action.

Southend1

ohreally wrote: »

Follow the advice from your union closely. Action taken will likely be compliant with law which will provide you with a degree of protection against unfair dismissal.

There is a good laymans guide here...http://www.bis.gov.uk/assets/biscore/employment-matters/docs/10-922-industrial-action-employee-guide

Thanks, that's really useful

Tiddlywinks

ILW wrote: »

If I was a manager, I know who I would and wouldn't recommend when it came to promotions etc.

Would you really feel 'just' in discriminating against someone who took part in industrial action... which is a lawful activity the last time I looked?

MissSarah1972

1% pay rise?

In 5 years with an employer in the private sector I got
0%
1%
1%
0%
0%
then made redundant.

I would count myself lucky I had a job

Southend1

ohreally wrote: »

Follow the advice from your union closely. Action taken will likely be compliant with law which will provide you with a degree of protection against unfair dismissal.

There is a good laymans guide here...http://www.bis.gov.uk/assets/biscore/employment-matters/docs/10-922-industrial-action-employee-guide

Just had a read through this. It's a bit complex but am I right in thinking that the gist of it is as long as the union has followed all the proper procedures in calling for the strike and balloting et cetera then it is a protected strike and I am protected from unfair dismissal for taking part in the strike?

Southend1

MissSarah1972 wrote: »

1% pay rise?

In 5 years with an employer in the private sector I got
0%
1%
1%
0%
0%
then made redundant.

I would count myself lucky I had a job

Thanks for posting. I'm sorry to hear about your situation but I don't really want to turn this thread into a competition about who has suffered the biggest pay cut. I do consider myself lucky to have a job, however that doesn't make it right for employees to be exploited or unfairly treated by their employers- we have (hopefully) come a long way since Charles Dickens' time! I'm just after advice on the legal and practical Implications of joining in a strike.