Need some advice on strike action

samsung_laptop

Where I work they are going on strike for a few hours so the works have sent this letter out and I was wondering if I should stay home from work on the day of the strike or should I go to work.


We have received notification from the union that you may be participating in strike action. It is not acceptable for you to undertake only part of your shift for that reason the company will not accept partial performance so unless your prepared to work a full shift as normal you should not attend work on that day. If you do turn up to work it will be assumed that your not taking part in the strike and you will be required to complete your shift. Any work you may have done on that shift before taking part in strike action will have been done despite the clear instruction above. That work will therefore have been done without the consent of the company and it will be regarded as being done by you on a voluntary basis.

ohreally

Contact the unions organising team/ full time officer for this to be taken up.

NewShadow

I would suggest asking your union rep?

samsung_laptop

NewShadow wrote: »

I would suggest asking your union rep?

They don't know what day it is.

Southend1

As to whether you should you stay home or go to work.... Shouldn't you be on the picket line with your colleagues?

As to the question about partial performance, follow ohreally's advice and contact your regional organiser if the local rep can't help.

Tigsteroonie

From what I read, your choice is either to work the entire shift, or to be absent for the entire shift. They are basically saying that if you only work part of the shift (and then strike the rest of the shift) you won't be paid, they will presume that the working part is "voluntary".

First question is, are you in the union that is striking? Your employers may have sent that same letter to everyone, not knowing who is union and who is not. If you are not in the union, you can still strike (according to the gov.uk website). But it's something to consider.

Second question, do you actually want to strike? Just because your union is calling a strike, you don't have to agree (you might have voted no in the ballot) and even if you do agree, you don't have to strike. It's your choice.

Could you ask your colleagues what they think, they might be more experienced even if the union rep is not.

This wouldn't be the strike that starts at 5pm, by any chance?

Ronaldo_Mconaldo

Management wrote that? Tell them to learn the difference between "your" and "you're".

samsung_laptop

Ronaldo_Mconaldo wrote: »

Management wrote that? Tell them to learn the difference between "your" and "you're".

I think they copied it off the internet.

Aquamania

samsung_laptop wrote: »

They don't know what day it is.

Presumably you pay money to remain a member of your union?
It was your union that balloted you as to whether or not to strike, and the outcome was to go on strike.
It is your union who are now asking you to act in breach of your contract of employment, something your employer could sue you for?

Let's hope for your sake that if you decide to take strike action, your union representatives do know what day it is!

Anyway, in answer to your original query, I heard in the news of similar instances involving some fire services. The management's argument was that if fire-fighters withdrew their labour for even a minute, then the management needed to make contingency arrangements for alternative cover, and that was done on a shift by shift basis.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-essex-30812569

BoJo appears to be pushing for a similar approach in London
http://www.mayorwatch.co.uk/boris-johnson-set-to-push-through-controversial-policy-on-firefighter-strike-pay/

Bobl

Surely you either go on strike and don't get paid for the day or go to work and do a full shift if you disagree with the strike. I don't understand the dilemma!

Aquamania

Bobl wrote: »

Surely you either go on strike and don't get paid for the day or go to work and do a full shift if you disagree with the strike. I don't understand the dilemma!

The dilemma appears to be that the union have called a strike for only part of a shift, presumably in an attempt to create maximum disruption to the employer whilst minimising the cost to their members.

The management are antagonising the situation, or simply minimising their costs (dependant on your point of view), by saying the employee either works the whole shift or gets paid nowt for that shift.