Why I will be crossing the picket line.

[Ogg]

I'm sure this a rather contentious post but it's not my intention to anger anybody. I'm sure my rather unique position will irk many but like my recent actions in the workplace I find honesty the best policy and have no qualms about stating my intent.
For primarily financial reasons I will be crossing the picket line this time around. I am reluctant to do so but with the usual dependants and christmas fast approaching I really have no choice. It's a little more difficult for me to decide upon this course of action being that I used to be our local union rep (two spells actually) for four years of my twelve year service and know a little more about it than most. Despite resigning from the thankless position and trying hard to distance myself from the role I still act as unofficial office spokesman solely due to no one else wanting to take on the position but I obviously have had to cease any such actions.
During the strike of 2007 I organised the picket line rotas and hopefully asissted with the majority of our office support with a bare minimum crossing the line. Of course we all remember the backlog and the lack of overtime to deal with situation and this is another factor to consider. I have spent much time contributing to various comments via bbc and sky forums and am somewhat saddened by the lack of support for the common postie, another contributing factor I guess. I look back on the previous strike action and cannot find one poitive reason to influence my decision otherwise. It's obvious that our working life has not improved since our last stance and I for one am not convinced that this current strike will better us in any way. Oh I could elaborate but what is the point?
So with a heavy heart and a guilty conscience I will be crossing the line so as not to lose a single days pay. I support the theory in part and wish I could contribute. No doubt my 'ex-rep' status may provide a target for some but all I'm doing is being open and honest.
I for one will not be sneaking into the office through a side door (like some did last time) but never has the journey to work offered the potential for such animosity.

[jim1911]

We all have our problems, some greater than others, financially and otherwise. It is better to lose a little pay now than lose it all at a later date. So the rest of us will suffer while you join the Management Lackies, BUT good luck to you.

[DaveF14]

We all have our problems, some greater than others, financially and otherwise. It is better to lose a little pay now than lose it all at a later date. So the rest of us will suffer while you join the Management Lackies, BUT good luck to you.

Bit harsh. Some of us do have large mortgages to pay for and cant afford to lose a days pay.

[Johnno]

QUISLING

[Broxi51]

All I ask of anybody who is in the union and goes into work on strike days is to resign from the union. I will respect your decision even though I disagree with it but if you are in the cwu then you should be following the decision of the majority .

[Sci_Dog]

You do what you have to do mate. However whenever your wages are cut, whenever Royal Mail are making your working day even more unbearable and when managers are bullying and intimidating you into working to an impossible set of targets and figures generated by a computer........Who will you blame?

You cross that picket line though mate if you feel it's the right thing to do.

THE PRESENT IS-Lose a few quid now in your pay and fight for your working conditions

THE FUTURE IS-Lose a lot of quids in your pay for the rest of your working life and gain totally impossible working conditions set by Royal Mail.

Your choice.

[General Mannerheim]

I just hope that when your `working` in your office and being bummed off management for helping to break a strike(an ex rep shame on you)and your new management `friends` come to you again in 3 months time with another 3 or 4 duties to go for savings(and to make up their bonus of course )that you can look the guy who`s lost his job or been reduced to part-time in the eye.....still at least your kids will have the latest pair of trainers or video game for Christmas.

[Johnno]

I just hope that when your `working` in your office and being bummed off management for helping to break a strike(an ex rep shame on you)and your new management `friends` come to you again in 3 months time with another 3 or 4 duties to go for savings(and to make up their bonus of course )that you can look the guy who`s lost his job or been reduced to part-time in the eye.....still at least your kids will have the latest pair of trainers or video game for Christmas.

[Jack Mehoff]

If you are going to cross the picket line then at least have the decency to give up your Union card and resign from the CWU.

[kwf166]

If you are going to cross the picket line then at least have the decency to give up your Union card and resign from the CWU.

Well said buddy

[hairyjack]

Not the first, won't be the last. My heart bleeds.

[nelson]

May I just ask if you voted for the strike?

[baldrick]

We all have our problems, some greater than others, financially and otherwise. It is better to lose a little pay now than lose it all at a later date. So the rest of us will suffer while you join the Management Lackies, BUT good luck to you.

Bit harsh. Some of us do have large mortgages to pay for and cant afford to lose a days pay.

A lot of people in Scotland, London and elsewhere have large mortgages and can't afford to lose (more than
one days) pay, but have done so because they recognise the consequences of not doing so will be even worse.

[DirtyHarry]

Anybody who cannot make a small sacrifice, and God knows, a single days pay a week is as small as it gets, is completely at the mercy of gits like Crozier. I would never in a million years want to swap places with you, never.

On the other hand, if the majority of your colleagues are made of much more sterner stuff, and we win this dispute, you will be able to partake of the gains made by our collective sacrifice, and all it would have cost you is what little pride you have left. Yep, I definitely would not want to swap places with you, and I have already sacrificed at least 12 days pay to date on the principle that we should be treated fairly, treated like human beings, and not looked upon as some sort of new breed of mules to be worked until we drop. Yeah, you go and stick two fingers up at us, along with your new-found friends, Crozier & Mandelson, and anybody else just itching to see us cave in.

[kwf166]

The guys that are crossing the picket lines, go on about their finances,morgages to pay, don't you think all us guys like me that are striking, are in the same boat, I lose a day pay, but I am prepare to take that risk, to get better working conditions what worries me that this seems to be a disturbing trend going on right around the country