Can Union Fine Non-Strikers?

Vern1961

Vern1961

Vern1961

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Debate on this at work yesterday. Barrack room lawyers reckon if you're in the union and they call a strike but elect to work (your own job/booked shift, not someone else's) the union can punish or even fine you for crossing the picket line. YouGov site on employment seems to indicate otherwise.

Who is right and who is wrong plus what level of "fine" could you expect for crossing a picket line to do your own job? Presumably less than a day's loss of pay/standing with your employer.
 
No.

All that happens is your brothers in arms, you know the tolerant peaceful members of a working mans collective rights organisation who are members of the tolerant and inclusive and understanding Labour Party, treat you like utter **** until you resign.
 
Vern1961 said:
Debate on this at work yesterday. Barrack room lawyers reckon if you're in the union and they call a strike but elect to work (your own job/booked shift, not someone else's) the union can punish or even fine you for crossing the picket line. YouGov site on employment seems to indicate otherwise.

Who is right and who is wrong plus what level of "fine" could you expect for crossing a picket line to do your own job? Presumably less than a day's loss of pay/standing with your employer.
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No, they can't fine you, but good luck getting your local reps to to help you in the future if you cross a picket line.

Source: Me - 15 year served TU Rep, Branch Chair, GEC vice-president and NEC advisor for PCS. If there is anything else you want to know about how unions work, just ask here - with the caveat that all unions work slightly differently. I'm well versed on the law regarding trade union activities and I know the dmeocratic processes of most unions inside out (that's my specialism in my advisory role to many unions).
 
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Thanks for clarifying. Agree it could lead to a very difficult situation if you don't want to offend your fellow workers (and end up making your own tea for the rest of your career) but at the same time if you personally feel the cause isn't righteous or a battle you can't win, going against an employer who has actually been pretty good to you personally. At this stage, just gathering the facts to make an informed decision should it come to that (and the TSSA ballot result isn't announced until next week anyway).
 
Your employer should arrange an alternative route of entry to work place, picket lines are set at a specific area only, anyone else striking or monitoring outside that area can / will be subjected to loitering or trespassing laws, if private ground.
 
Vern1961 said:
Thanks for clarifying. Agree it could lead to a very difficult situation if you don't want to offend your fellow workers (and end up making your own tea for the rest of your career) but at the same time if you personally feel the cause isn't righteous or a battle you can't win, going against an employer who has actually been pretty good to you personally. At this stage, just gathering the facts to make an informed decision should it come to that (and the TSSA ballot result isn't announced until next week anyway).
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That's the point when you consider leaving the union and joining another.
 
Scrutinize said:
Doesn't this show how backwards and anti work the unions are?
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You've got to remember that local reps are volunteers.

If I'm volunteering to help my fellow workers out when they need it but then they don't back the union when they need them, then, well........
 
atpbx said:
No.

All that happens is your brothers in arms, you know the tolerant peaceful members of a working mans collective rights organisation who are members of the tolerant and inclusive and understanding Labour Party, treat you like utter **** until you resign.
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What utter trot.
 
atpbx said:
No.

All that happens is your brothers in arms, you know the tolerant peaceful members of a working mans collective rights organisation who are members of the tolerant and inclusive and understanding Labour Party, treat you like utter **** until you resign.
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Especially when those who don't strike want the pay rise anyway ;)
 
Not helping someone is not the same as treating them like **** (in atpx's words).

I used to have members in our branch that were in it for thier own selfish needs, rather than for the collective, and everyone knew it. If they'd ask me for help I'd just refer them to HQ who wouldn't turn away a flly paid up member. But I was always super nice about it :-)

Besides, you'd be naive to believe that scabbing wont have any consequences, although those consequences will be trivial and certainly not at the level somone like Dolph would suggest.

deuse said:
Especially when those who don't strike want the pay rise anyway ;)
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Yeah and the scabbers are often the most vocal about the offer not being high enough!
 
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amigafan2003 said:
Not helping someone is not the same as treating them like **** (in atpx's words).

I used to have members in our branch that were in it for thier own selfish needs, rather than for the collective, and everyone knew it. If they'd ask me for help I'd just refer them to HQ who wouldn't turn away a flly paid up member. But I was always super nice about it :-)

Besides, you'd be naive to believe that scabbing wont have any consequences, although those consequences will be trivial and certainly not at the level somone like Dolph would suggest.



Yeah and the scabbers are often the most vocal about the offer not being high enough!
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Honestly, with that mind set and rhetoric, unions shoot themselves in the foot, no wonder the numbers who actually turn out to ballot are dwindling.
 
Unions are the scourge of modern day Britain, Thankfully Maggie destroyed all but the last few percent of them,

In all my years, I have never once seen a union or their reps doing an ounce of good,

I have sat and watched them play barrister in disciplinary meetings were an employee is bang to rights, then come out and have a laugh with me about his chances etc.

they epitomise the idea of Champagne Socialism, the 'working man' living off the back of the real working men's union contributions.

the best thing to happen in the last 5 years with unions was the death of that Bigot Bob Crowe,

and the answer to your question is no, they can do nothing about anything, all they can do is protest over petty incidents to justify their wage.

as for not representing you properly at a disciplinary, after you have crossed a picket line, says it all really, pure bias against a 'greater' cause, regardless of your individual feelings on that situation.
 
Being a member of a union brings responsibilities. If your union votes in favour of something with which you disagree, either you resign your membership or you go along with the majority.
 
I used to be a member of a Union (NGA then GPNU) but I quit, as I cant stand the commie leftwing way they work.

But if you do cross a picket line and you are a member of the union, expect trouble from members and quite rightly so. Scab!!!! :)
 
Soundood said:
Unions are the scourge of modern day Britain, Thankfully Maggie destroyed all but the last few percent of them,

In all my years, I have never once seen a union or their reps doing an ounce of good,

I have sat and watched them play barrister in disciplinary meetings were an employee is bang to rights, then come out and have a laugh with me about his chances etc.

they epitomise the idea of Champagne Socialism, the 'working man' living off the back of the real working men's union contributions.

the best thing to happen in the last 5 years with unions was the death of that Bigot Bob Crowe,

and the answer to your question is no, they can do nothing about anything, all they can do is protest over petty incidents to justify their wage.

as for not representing you properly at a disciplinary, after you have crossed a picket line, says it all really, pure bias against a 'greater' cause, regardless of your individual feelings on that situation.
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This about sums it all up.
 
Excellent hard talk debate, with no easy answer it seems.

Scab and risk alienating your colleagues (assuming the majority of them are out) plus potentially jeopardise your union legal representation if you need it. Everyone thinks it won't happen to them but like car insurance better to have it than not particularly in the face of an ascendant management style.

Go out and while covered legally for 72 days, doesn't mean to say the employer might not make life more difficult in future. Also while a couple of days sat in the sunshine might not hurt the pocket too much if the cause is just, what if it escalates and one day a fortnight turns to two a week? What if the management decide to lock out the striking staff and you're sat at home with mortgage arrears building and no money coming in (not something strike pay will cover). The 80's/90's Tories knew what they were doing when they encouraged working people into home ownership!

Rock and a hard place comes to mind really, but on balance think I'd better buy some wood and cardboard ready for the placard :( .
 
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