Can Union Fine Non-Strikers?

Next time there is a branch meeting, suggest work to rule instead of strike action - I've often found it hits the employer harder (loss of goodwill seems to really flumox them) than strike action and it's a far softer hit on the pocket.
 
I was in a union few years back and they kept striking over really petty thing. I (and many others) decided that we didn't agree with the strike and went to work as usual.

The union was quite upset with this and threatened to withdraw "support" from those that crossed the picket line. The consequence to this threat was that loads of members quit, so many so that the local branch almost collapsed!!

So no, unions cannot do anything about you not striking, as your support (and subscriptions!) are needed by them far more likely than they are needed by you.
 
Screw them. If you don't agree with it, or can't afford it, then don't do it.

We were almost at a strike situation a few months ago and I made it quite clear that there was no way I'd be going out the doors, I've just bought my first house and need the money. They really didn't like it, but tough. You could always leave them if they do get silly.

Unions are stupid, if they had gone on strike the company would have shut the site down...
 
dbmzk1 said:
Screw them. If you don't agree with it, or can't afford it, then don't do it.

We were almost at a strike situation a few months ago and I made it quite clear that there was no way I'd be going out the doors, I've just bought my first house and need the money. They really didn't like it, but tough. You could always leave them if they do get silly.

Unions are stupid, if they had gone on strike the company would have shut the site down...
Click to expand...

What if it gets shut down anyway?
 
dbmzk1 said:
Unions are stupid, if they had gone on strike the company would have shut the site down...
Click to expand...

Funny that's exactly the situation where I work.

As a management team we are working as hard as we can to improve the metrics that matter on the site, yet the unions insist on pushing for unrealistic things, complain about literally anything changing unless they get to pick.
eg we were getting new forktrucks, they wanted to select them based on which they preferred and couldn't understand why our primary motivation was other things such as price, vendor, spare parts and servicing costs etc
Was even more funny when we told them the new trucks had collision detection that would stop them if someone collided with something, we told them this just after we told them that they would need to logon to the trucks as they started them ;)
 
Cross it at your peril if your a member and rightly so.

The problem with unions in the UK is they are against the employer, this should not be the case. They should be working WITH the employer to improve.

Having been on both sides of the fence, increasing pay does nothing. The same people will be crying 12months later for more causing grief and animosity. What i found works better and cheaper for me, is to put on events every couple of months, trip to the dogs, go karting, its a knockout etc. Everyone talks about it for the next couple of weeks, productivity goes up because staff are happy.

All the employer needs to do is show they care about people. Its very very simple.
 
They can't fine you, but as already noted by the members and reps here, it is considered acceptable to bully and discriminate against those who don't agree with you.

Thats the caring left for you.
 
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.
Click to expand...

Good post
 
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.
Click to expand...

This.. nothing like inciting discrimination.. which is probably illegal.

I remember on comment from a friend that worked for a public company.. basically you can work your ass off, get far better performance results but then be told that the union has agreed a 2% pay increase across the board.. so the lazy gits get an increase, but you get stiffed .. hence there's no reason for anyone to work.
 
Dolph said:
They can't fine you, but as already noted by the members and reps here, it is considered acceptable to bully and discriminate against those who don't agree with you.

Thats the caring left for you.
Click to expand...

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.
Click to expand...

There we go :D

Saying "I think you're best raising that issue with HQ" to a scabbing member is not bullying, although I agree it could be classed as discrimination if we're arguing semantics, but volunteers should always be able to choose the cases they take on. For those cases the reps don't take on, that's what paid officials are there for.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
amigafan2003 said:
There we go :D

Saying "I think you're best raising that issue with HQ" to a scabbing member is not bullying, although I agree it could be classed as discrimination if we're arguing semantics, but volunteers should always be able to choose the cases they take on. For those cases the reps don't take on, that's what paid officials are there for.
Click to expand...

I would have far less problem with it if the freedom went both ways.
 
phonemonkey said:
Doesn't it? I chose to join my Union and we elect our branch rep annually.
Click to expand...

Yup - bad/innefective/disliked reps don't stay around for long and on the rare occasions that they do it's becuase none of the other members can be bothered volunteering - and in that instance, well, tough luck. Put up or shut up.
 
phonemonkey said:
Doesn't it? I chose to join my Union and we elect our branch rep annually.
Click to expand...

So unions reps can choose what level of support they offer other employees, and employers/managers can consider union activities or strike participation when making decisions?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom