Srikes

[Oh no its raining]

When us London posties go on strike next week, do we still have to show up for work even though were not paid? Might sound like a daft question but my previous jobs I was with T&GW union and they always promised strikes, but at the final moments they declared a spoiled count and did a re-ballot which turned in favour of no strike.
This will be my first strike ever and although financially im not looking forward to it, morally I cant wait to show RM what we are all about

[andy2007]

No. There should only be a maximum of 6 people on the Picket Line, at any time. More people can, and do turn up. But they have to stay separate from the actual Picket Line. Legally, you can have more than 6. But if there's any trouble. The Police will be more likley to try to move you on, if there's more than 6.

Personally, I recomend turning up. Because you will get to hear any local news, as it happens. And if your Area Reps are as good as mine. You'll get regular updates from him/her, as he/she tours the Picket Lines. Plus of course, you won't be relying on the same small group, to put all the effort in. You can take it in turns, if there are a lot of you.

[Oh no its raining]

Cool, I'll be there regardless, both for the cause and the experience
Thanks for the reply

* EDIT :
That could look misleading what I entered in initaial posting, thats to turn up for the actual strike, not to turn up and work through the strike, but I think you understood me!

[Ahebban]

Serving on a picket line is an experience all of its own. Even when you are standing side by side with colleagues of long-standing the comradeship, the bonding etc feels special. Yes, picket lines can polarize viewpoints depending on which side of the line you are standing. And that polarization has seen the best of friends not speak to each other for many a long year. But nothing can beat the immense feeling of pride inside you knowing that you are on that picket line fighting for a cause you believe in along with fellow CWU members.

Good on you, London .. lead where others have feared to tread so that others may follow in your footsteps.

[andy2007]

Cool, I'll be there regardless, both for the cause and the experience
Thanks for the reply

* EDIT :
That could look misleading what I entered in initaial posting, thats to turn up for the actual strike, not to turn up and work through the strike, but I think you understood me!

Don't worry. I knew what you meant.

[Oh no its raining]

Well, I believe in everything the strike is aiming to gain for us, so there is no doubt there, but also I pay for the union to support me in my personal needs, so why not show mutual respect back and also support the unions in a time of group needs, a union doesn't work on its own, it needs us all to stand together, and that's what I will do

[baldrick]

Well, I believe in everything the strike is aiming to gain for us, so there is no doubt there, but also I pay for the union to support me in my personal needs, so why not show mutual respect back and also support the unions in a time of group needs, a union doesn't work on its own, it needs us all to stand together, and that's what I will do

Well done - too many people leave it to the Reps to do the picketting.
The more who turn up to show support the better.

[Martin Walsh]

In London we want as many members to turn up on picket lines as possible as we want to show Royal Mail the strength of feeling which exists. The Police do not unless their is trouble keep to the 6 pickets rules and normally we have BBQs and great turn outs on many pickets.

In London we may be having a demo at either Old Street or Croziers offices in Blackfriars or BERR offices in Victoria all will be revealed eary next week when we will ask members to turn up in force.

[stokes11eg]

I always thought the Golden Rule was still to turn up for work, in case the strike was called off?Could someone clarify please?

[TrueBlueTerrier]

I always thought the Golden Rule was still to turn up for work, in case the strike was called off?Could someone clarify please?

Its a good idea to just in case but there are no hard and fast rules. If the strike is cancelled at the last minute your pay will still be stopped until you start back at work and IIRC it shows on your pay slip as Official Industrial Action Pay Abated (or some such legalese wording).

I was never even in a UNion before I started at RM but after 3 months I knew that it was the best option. The 2007 strikes were my first ever and I went on every picket, even the ones on which I was on official leave. We always had more than 10 and we only had the police turn up for a mass picket when they were approximately 80 of us. The Sgt just reminded the 6 official pickets and 74 supporters ( ) of the rules but said as it was a friendly picket and we were not blocking access for the public he would not do anything. Apparently it really upset the DOM as he called them, perhaps he felt intimidated by the solidarity shown.

[darth]

i rang up the police and told him the contact name for whoever was the main picket and phone no.good relations with the police dont hurt anyone.good luck to you all in london and surrounding area hopefully royal mail will stop the diktat and sit down and negotiate.

[wakkono]

Get a bbq going we did last time!
were on a quiet estate so we even had a traffic cone as wickets and had a game of cricket
f***ing scream it was
especially when dom came out and asked us to stop.. he had a big f**k off!

[ldsposti]

Good on you london i will be there in spirit, the last strikes we had i was the only one on picket the office rep could not be bothered to turn up at least the area rep came with a flask of coffee, oh by the way members in our office are not happy with the rep they want me and i have had non members come to me and say if i will become the rep they will join the union what do you guys think.

[baldrick]

Sounds like you'd be a good Rep.

[mailman71]

striking is allways the last option,but the way royal mail are carrying on its a wonder it has'nt happened earlier.
up in scotland we have had a ban on overtime for weeks now and they have had to ship in doms from all over to keep the place going.
as regards strikes my first one was the 6 week strike in 1971and been involved in plenty since then,good luck london.