Strike

[117 M34]

I will be on strike on the 27th June.
Shame they always do them midweek instead of Monday or Friday

 

[bluejon]

Thanks for the reply.

In your response, you mention that a lot of people are disaffected with the union and their course of action. However it still doesn't change the fact that more members voted to strike than opposed the strike. As such union members should abide with the majority vote. If the vote was not to strike, I would have followed the result of the democratic decision made.

If people are so disaffected with the work of the union and not willing to follow the result of the ballot, then in my opinion they should withdraw their membership. It creates antagonism within the workplace, when some people are willing to make the sacrifice and others are not.

You allude to the changing landscape of industrial relations and this is true. You emphasise that we need a collective voice, yet justify your spouse crossing a picket line. Which in it's very essence weakens the position of the union and its members.

You highlight the reduced powers that unions hold. Legislation is a factor, however the biggest factor is the lack of collectivism. The fact that some people have no qualms about crossing a picket line whilst others endure the financial hardship of following the ballot vote. Our nearest neighbours France have shown that if people stick together, change can happen.

Despite their weakness in terms of membership, French trade unions have been able to mobilise their members for mass action, and, on occasion, change government policy. The government was forced to withdraw its plans for a new employment contract for young workers in 2006, while in 2010 there were massive demonstrations between September and October protesting at the government’s pension plans. The six demonstrations, which were organised jointly by six union confederations, brought large numbers onto the streets – up to 3.5 million people in the biggest day of protest, according to figures from the CFDT, and up to 1.3 million, according to the police.

fair play, but france has a much more militant standpoint when it comes to unions, which ironically, if was the case here, my missus would not have done what she did as it might have some effect. however, what they are doing is a complete waste of time. and for the record, she is no longer part of the union. now, before anyone starts saying that she shouldn't accept any benefits that the union gets etc, well, the union have got them bugger all over the last few years, except quite a few missed pay packets. they are ineffectual and crap

I know we are not going to agree, and that's fair enough. different viewpoints. I do respect where you're coming from, and as I've said, a few years ago I would have been the first to disagree with what i'm saying. however, my opinions on these things have changed

 

[Balti]

not on strike but pulling a sicky in sympathy #:-)

 

[Blue Punter]

Thanks for the reply.

In your response, you mention that a lot of people are disaffected with the union and their course of action. However it still doesn't change the fact that more members voted to strike than opposed the strike. As such union members should abide with the majority vote. If the vote was not to strike, I would have followed the result of the democratic decision made.

If people are so disaffected with the work of the union and not willing to follow the result of the ballot, then in my opinion they should withdraw their membership. It creates antagonism within the workplace, when some people are willing to make the sacrifice and others are not.

You allude to the changing landscape of industrial relations and this is true. You emphasise that we need a collective voice, yet justify your spouse crossing a picket line. Which in it's very essence weakens the position of the union and its members.

You highlight the reduced powers that unions hold. Legislation is a factor, however the biggest factor is the lack of collectivism. The fact that some people have no qualms about crossing a picket line whilst others endure the financial hardship of following the ballot vote. Our nearest neighbours France have shown that if people stick together, change can happen.

Despite their weakness in terms of membership, French trade unions have been able to mobilise their members for mass action, and, on occasion, change government policy. The government was forced to withdraw its plans for a new employment contract for young workers in 2006, while in 2010 there were massive demonstrations between September and October protesting at the government’s pension plans. The six demonstrations, which were organised jointly by six union confederations, brought large numbers onto the streets – up to 3.5 million people in the biggest day of protest, according to figures from the CFDT, and up to 1.3 million, according to the police.

fair play, but france has a much more militant standpoint when it comes to unions, which ironically, if was the case here, my missus would not have done what she did as it might have some effect. however, what they are doing is a complete waste of time. and for the record, she is no longer part of the union. now, before anyone starts saying that she shouldn't accept any benefits that the union gets etc, well, the union have got them bugger all over the last few years, except quite a few missed pay packets. they are ineffectual and crap

I know we are not going to agree, and that's fair enough. different viewpoints. I do respect where you're coming from, and as I've said, a few years ago I would have been the first to disagree with what i'm saying. however, my opinions on these things have changed

If your wife is no longer part of the union, then the situation is different. It's not her dispute. You said earlier in the thread that she confronted someone on the picket line to express her opinion.

my missus crossed a picket line for the first time in her life yesterday, and tore the head of some stupid woman who tried that line.

.

In her position, I would have merely stated that I'm not a member of the PCS, so effectively was not in a position to strike. Any non PCS member refusing to work would potentially face conduct and discipline charges for their actions.

As with other professions such as teaching (NUT & NAS/UWT), HMRC has other unions (ARC) aside from PCS. As with non union members, nobody from PCS would berate ARC members for crossing a PCS picket line.

I'm not sure why your wife has such strong feelings on a matter that should be of no concern to her. If she's not in the union, she has no entitlement to comment on the course of action that paid up union members democratically voted to take.

I've been informed that moves are afoot to measure employee performance in the civil service. The upshot is that there will be a 10% quota of people who's work will be deemed unsatisfactory. There's been threads on here about other organisations where similar situations have arisen and it's usually the non union members who've been shown the door. After all, it's far easier to get rid of someone who has no one to fight their corner.

If you was (rightly or wrongly) identified as part of the 10% underachievers, surely you'd prefer to have the opportunity of union representation than not?

 

[johnmc]

She has no entitlement to comment? Think she has every right to comment.

 

[bluejon]

Thanks for the reply.

In your response, you mention that a lot of people are disaffected with the union and their course of action. However it still doesn't change the fact that more members voted to strike than opposed the strike. As such union members should abide with the majority vote. If the vote was not to strike, I would have followed the result of the democratic decision made.

If people are so disaffected with the work of the union and not willing to follow the result of the ballot, then in my opinion they should withdraw their membership. It creates antagonism within the workplace, when some people are willing to make the sacrifice and others are not.

You allude to the changing landscape of industrial relations and this is true. You emphasise that we need a collective voice, yet justify your spouse crossing a picket line. Which in it's very essence weakens the position of the union and its members.

You highlight the reduced powers that unions hold. Legislation is a factor, however the biggest factor is the lack of collectivism. The fact that some people have no qualms about crossing a picket line whilst others endure the financial hardship of following the ballot vote. Our nearest neighbours France have shown that if people stick together, change can happen.

fair play, but france has a much more militant standpoint when it comes to unions, which ironically, if was the case here, my missus would not have done what she did as it might have some effect. however, what they are doing is a complete waste of time. and for the record, she is no longer part of the union. now, before anyone starts saying that she shouldn't accept any benefits that the union gets etc, well, the union have got them bugger all over the last few years, except quite a few missed pay packets. they are ineffectual and crap

I know we are not going to agree, and that's fair enough. different viewpoints. I do respect where you're coming from, and as I've said, a few years ago I would have been the first to disagree with what i'm saying. however, my opinions on these things have changed

If your wife is no longer part of the union, then the situation is different. It's not her dispute. You said earlier in the thread that she confronted someone on the picket line to express her opinion.

my missus crossed a picket line for the first time in her life yesterday, and tore the head of some stupid woman who tried that line.

.

In her position, I would have merely stated that I'm not a member of the PCS, so effectively was not in a position to strike. Any non PCS member refusing to work would potentially face conduct and discipline charges for their actions.

As with other professions such as teaching (NUT & NAS/UWT), HMRC has other unions (ARC) aside from PCS. As with non union members, nobody from PCS would berate ARC members for crossing a PCS picket line.

I'm not sure why your wife has such strong feelings on a matter that should be of no concern to her. If she's not in the union, she has no entitlement to comment on the course of action that paid up union members democratically voted to take.

I've been informed that moves are afoot to measure employee performance in the civil service. The upshot is that there will be a 10% quota of people who's work will be deemed unsatisfactory. There's been threads on here about other organisations where similar situations have arisen and it's usually the non union members who've been shown the door. After all, it's far easier to get rid of someone who has no one to fight their corner.

If you was (rightly or wrongly) identified as part of the 10% underachievers, surely you'd prefer to have the opportunity of union representation than not?

lad, I had to fight an old employer a few years ago, with no union help at all (union affiliation got you sacked, end of. didn't like? tough, fuck off etc), and we were able to fight our corner just fine. and this is kind of her point. the unions aren't making jack shit difference to anything or helping anyone, they haven't forced anything of any use through whatsoever. they keep calling these strikes, nothing changes. have a good think about what to do next? here's a good idea, more strikes. they don't give a shit. if they did, they'd be coming up with useful methods to use the power of the workforce, but they don't care. the strikes keeps them in papers, whilst taking their sizeable wages. bollox to the lot of em

my missus used to be a union rep. admittedly not for long as it wasn't for her, but gives you an idea, she used to strongly believe in the principles. and she was a member up until last week, when she cancelled her membership in disgust. this is actually the second time she's cancelled, the first time they kept taking her wages for six months even though she'd informed them and HR. apparently there was a special form she hadn't filled out, that they never told her about. she only stayed on when she found out in the hope that with the tories getting into power around then, the union might become useful. still waiting......

 

[bluejon]

fair play, but france has a much more militant standpoint when it comes to unions, which ironically, if was the case here, my missus would not have done what she did as it might have some effect. however, what they are doing is a complete waste of time. and for the record, she is no longer part of the union. now, before anyone starts saying that she shouldn't accept any benefits that the union gets etc, well, the union have got them bugger all over the last few years, except quite a few missed pay packets. they are ineffectual and crap

I know we are not going to agree, and that's fair enough. different viewpoints. I do respect where you're coming from, and as I've said, a few years ago I would have been the first to disagree with what i'm saying. however, my opinions on these things have changed

If your wife is no longer part of the union, then the situation is different. It's not her dispute. You said earlier in the thread that she confronted someone on the picket line to express her opinion.

my missus crossed a picket line for the first time in her life yesterday, and tore the head of some stupid woman who tried that line.

.

In her position, I would have merely stated that I'm not a member of the PCS, so effectively was not in a position to strike. Any non PCS member refusing to work would potentially face conduct and discipline charges for their actions.

As with other professions such as teaching (NUT & NAS/UWT), HMRC has other unions (ARC) aside from PCS. As with non union members, nobody from PCS would berate ARC members for crossing a PCS picket line.

I'm not sure why your wife has such strong feelings on a matter that should be of no concern to her. If she's not in the union, she has no entitlement to comment on the course of action that paid up union members democratically voted to take.

I've been informed that moves are afoot to measure employee performance in the civil service. The upshot is that there will be a 10% quota of people who's work will be deemed unsatisfactory. There's been threads on here about other organisations where similar situations have arisen and it's usually the non union members who've been shown the door. After all, it's far easier to get rid of someone who has no one to fight their corner.

If you was (rightly or wrongly) identified as part of the 10% underachievers, surely you'd prefer to have the opportunity of union representation than not?

lad, I had to fight an old employer a few years ago, with no union help at all (union affiliation got you sacked, end of. didn't like? tough, fuck off etc), and we were able to fight our corner just fine. and this is kind of her point. the unions aren't making jack shit difference to anything or helping anyone, they haven't forced anything of any use through whatsoever. they keep calling these strikes, nothing changes. have a good think about what to do next? here's a good idea, more strikes. they don't give a shit. if they did, they'd be coming up with useful methods to use the power of the workforce, but they don't care. the strikes keeps them in papers, whilst taking their sizeable wages. bollox to the lot of em

my missus used to be a union rep. admittedly not for long as it wasn't for her, but gives you an idea, she used to strongly believe in the principles. and she was a member up until last week, when she cancelled her membership in disgust. this is actually the second time she's cancelled, the first time they kept taking her wages for six months even though she'd informed them and HR. apparently there was a special form she hadn't filled out, that they never told her about. she only stayed on when she found out in the hope that with the tories getting into power around then, the union might become useful. still waiting......

I should also mention though, she is an evertonian (was season ticket till she moved over here. loyal fans my arse), so to be fair, if you want to call her a scab, or pretty much anything else, i'd probably let it slide

 

[Blue Punter]

She has no entitlement to comment? Think she has every right to comment.

What right does she have to comment on PCS activities when she's no longer in the PCS union?

 

[johnmc]

She has no entitlement to comment? Think she has every right to comment.

What right does she have to comment on PCS activities when she's no longer in the PCS union?

So, say I vote labour, but the conservatives got in, I am not allowed to comment on any conservative policies that do affect me because I have no connection with them?

Also people have a right to comment on whatever they want whether it affects them or not.

 

[Matty]

She has no entitlement to comment? Think she has every right to comment.

What right does she have to comment on PCS activities when she's no longer in the PCS union?

If PCS activities have a direct impact on her job, it's terms and conditions, it's pay etc then she has every right to have an opinion on this and to voice that opinion. Maybe she's happy to accept the changes, just wants this matter all done with? Maybe she accepts the reasoning behind the changes as being sound? However she is not able to accept the new terms and conditions, she can't "just move on" because a union she is not a member of is preventing her from doing this. In that situation I'd have A LOT to say.