Industrial Action & Unions

[Martin]

Have you ever been on strike? In your opinion does it work?

Does anyone else find that many union "shop stewards" are bitter and twisted for having not progressed in their own career therefore get involved in union work as a two fingered gesture to higher management.

I myself have never been in a union. The organisation that I work for has been affected by strike action in recent weeks where some staff have gone on strike but I have gone into work as usual.

A union steward threatened to report me for asking a fellow colleague (not someone who I am responsible for) if they were going on strike. I was told it constitutes threatening and intimidating behavior... however it is perfectly acceptable for the said union steward to belittle and make an example of anyone who is not part of a union!

[Stuart*]

Have you ever been on strike? In your opinion does it work?

I’ve never been on strike, and before you ask, I have crossed a picket line*. I think it’s self defeating. Often it’s about pay, and the loss of income by being on strike is normally more than they would’ve gained with the proposed pay rise. If it’s about the loss of jobs, then they are proving that the contingency plans work.

*Yes, I was even the person who had to eventually report those who hadn’t crossed the line!

Does anyone else find that many union "shop stewards" are bitter and twisted for having not progressed in their own career therefore get involved in union work as a two fingered gesture to higher management.

I spent most of my career in HR dealing with both full-time TU reps and “part-time” Shop Stewards and find that view quite stereotypical of the 1980s unjustified legend.

It’s unfortunate if that attitude still exists amongst some TU officials today. All the people I dealt with actually put their careers on hold to pursue their TU goals, although I won’t deny they must’ve received some reward somewhere along the line.

Many of those I’ve had dealings with worked tirelessly to agree better terms and conditions for some employees who don’t work the standard 9-5, or had particular working requirements because of the nature of the job, or other issues which aren’t dealt with in day-to-day discussions with Line Managers.

I myself have never been in a union. The organisation that I work for has been affected by strike action in recent weeks where some staff have gone on strike but I have gone into work as usual.

I was always a member of one of the unions, I think. It can come in handy, you never know when you may need them! But, amazingly enough, they will run to the assistance of a non-member too. They’ll just make them cough up the cash for a month’s subs, even if it’s the only one you ever give before you leave!

A union steward threatened to report me for asking a fellow colleague (not someone who I am responsible for) if they were going on strike. I was told it constitutes threatening and intimidating behavior... however it is perfectly acceptable for the said union steward to belittle and make an example of anyone who is not part of a union!

Firstly, it’s your legal right to go into work. Nobody is allowed to prevent or intimidate you to do otherwise.
What you discuss with a colleague is your own business; if your colleague thought you were intimidating him/her then they had a right to complain, although that should have been a personal request for you to stop initially, then their Line Manager, and so forth.
Bullying at work, by anyone, is illegal.

The Union Shop Steward you speak of should be reported to both his Trade Union and your own Supervisor/Manager. Report him/her anonymously through their own TU website if necessary. But definitely speak to somebody.

[iSon]

I’ve never been on strike, and before you ask, I have crossed a picket line*. I think it’s self defeating. Often it’s about pay, and the loss of income by being on strike is normally more than they would’ve gained with the proposed pay rise. If it’s about the loss of jobs, then they are proving that the contingency plans work.

*Yes, I was even the person who had to eventually report those who hadn’t crossed the line!

Why does that not surprise me?

[barcode]

There a big difference between the Miner stirke which was a disgrcee! and the Strike right now in scotland were there want a decent day pay for a decent day work, and many people agree.

[Nick Harvey]

There a big difference between the Miner stirke which was a disgrcee! and the Strike right now in scotland were there want a decent day pay for a decent day work, and many people agree.

And many people don't understand a single word you're blithering on about.

[Pete]

and even those that vaguely do, still think you're talking irrelevant crap. shut up barcode.