Implications of taking industrial action?

MissSarah1972

Southend1 wrote: »

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.

how is a low pay rise making you exploited?

Southend1

MissSarah1972 wrote: »

how is a low pay rise making you exploited?

Because the employers are using "the economic situation" as an excuse to cut pay when in reality the economic situation is very healthy for the universities these days.

getzls

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

Employers love people like you so they can exploit them.:cool:

MissSarah1972

getzls wrote: »

Employers love people like you so they can exploit them.:cool:

How was I exploited?

Takeaway_Addict

Southend1 wrote: »

Because the employers are using "the economic situation" as an excuse to cut pay when in reality the economic situation is very healthy for the universities these days.

Your pay isn't being cut...You signed a contract for a certain amount of money per year and now you want more so are using the union to try and bully more out of the university.

Southend1

Takeaway_Addict wrote: »

Your pay isn't being cut...You signed a contract for a certain amount of money per year and now you want more so are using the union to try and bully more out of the university.

From my employer's HR web page:

"Pay awards to recognise cost of living increases are negotiated nationally through the Universities and Colleges Employers' Association (UCEA) and national trade unions."

They have clearly failed to honour the bit about recognising cost of living increases for tha last three years!!

The pay "rises" received in the past 3 years add up to a real terms cut of around 14%.

So yes, my pay has been cut. And no it's not bullying it's just asking to be treated fairly.

ILW

Tiddlywinks wrote: »

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?

I would favour those with the highest commitment to the organisation.

Southend1

ILW wrote: »

I would favour those with the highest commitment to the organisation.

Commitment is all well and good but it works both ways in an employment relationship.

Takeaway_Addict

Southend1 wrote: »

From my employer's HR web page:

"Pay awards to recognise cost of living increases are negotiated nationally through the Universities and Colleges Employers' Association (UCEA) and national trade unions."

They have clearly failed to honour the bit about recognising cost of living increases for tha last three years!!

The pay "rises" received in the past 3 years add up to a real terms cut of around 14%.

So yes, my pay has been cut. And no it's not bullying it's just asking to be treated fairly.

Nope, sorry not been cut still and they have recognised the cost of living increases and negotiated in the past with the unions...hence your past % increases.

I don't blame you mind for trying to get more money...who wouldn't!

zagfles

ILW wrote: »

I would favour those with the highest commitment to the organisation.

Last time I went on strike there was very good support for the strike from our department (maybe 60-70% on strike), but low support in other departments (maybe 20-30%).

The company, during the strike, ended up offering our department alone a large bonus, which they claimed had "nothing to do with the strike":D The others got nothing.

Same sort of thing happened with my previous employer. Those who allow themsleves to be treated like doormats inevitably are!