Excuses for not being on a picket line?

Fluke · Post by **Fluke** » 30 Jul 2007, 07:25

Just out of interest, what excuses do you hear when you ask your colleagues why they were not on the picket line? I'm not talking about the strike breakers that go into work, I'm talking about the ones who treat it as a day off and leave others to do the fighting.
So far I have heard:

It's my day off.

I was pissed.

I was too stoned.

I am too busy.

What strike?

( usually said with the " I've just been humped by the neighbours dog" expression on their face)

It good they are not crossing a picket line, but, WTF don't they join it? I reckon we should do a top ten list of piss poor excuses.

Post by **Carnoustie** » 30 Jul 2007, 10:28

Royal Mail is the place I go to for work. That work earns me a wage, but that doesn't mean that it's my main priority in life. If I'm withdrawing my labour, in protest at a pay deal that will see my wages falling behind the general increases in living costs, the last thing I want to do is go and stand outside a Royal Mail building when I'm not even being paid ! Those that do cross the line are bloody-minded and will not be persuaded by any amount of reasoning, even if you can get a chance to try to talk to them.

There have been other threads where people are knocking those that don't join the line, but I resent the underlying implication that non-pickets are somehow morally inferior to those that go and stand outside. I am going to struggle to make my mortgage payment next month, but I still back the actions we are taking 100%. How much more commitment do you want ?

axeman · Post by **axeman** » 30 Jul 2007, 12:11

they are supporting the union by not attending on strike days but there aren't any excuses for not going on the picket line i do even if it's my day off if i can so can everybody (single parent) even if it's for a short time just would give everyone the chance to have a break as well shame on anybody that does not go on the line but leaves it for others to do

there are no excuses period !!!!!!

Post by **TrueBlueTerrier** » 30 Jul 2007, 13:15

I have been on every picket so far and intend to be on every one from here on in. However I do not think everyone has to be on the picket line its not for some and I don't think we should look down on those who don't attend, as long as they don't work they are doing the right thing.

For me the purpose of the picket line is not so much to stop the strike breakers crossing, in most cases you won't have a chance of changing the minds of the hardcore ones. However a presence on the picket line will dissuade the ones who are thinking should I shouldn't I as they don't want to be seen crossing as they know the consequences of crossing the picket.

Also some of those who don't attend the picket may well be making up their lost earnings through their 2nd job, so no I don't begrudge people not attending the picket after all as someone said RM and the union are not the be all and end all for everyone.

So Strikers score 10

Pickets score 10

Strike Breakers -1,000,000

ANYONE POSTING IN THIS THREAD PLEASE BEAR IN MIND THAT MOST ON HERE SUPPORT THE STRIKE SO PLEASE DO NOT BE TO FORTHRIGHT IN EXPRESSING YOUR OPINION WE DONT WANT TO ALIENATE EACH OTHER.

Pete c · Post by **Pete c** » 30 Jul 2007, 14:28

It was my day off on Saturday and i was on the picketline from 3am - 9am and i will continue to be on the picketline until it ends.

Fluke · Post by **Fluke** » 30 Jul 2007, 14:35

axeman

they are supporting the union by not attending on strike days but there aren't any excuses for not going on the picket line i do even if it's my day off if i can so can everybody (single parent) even if it's for a short time just would give everyone the chance to have a break as well shame on anybody that does not go on the line but leaves it for others to do

there are no excuses period !!!!!

Firstly, I apologize if my post offends anyone. It was not meant to attack anyone supporting the IA by not working. I turn up on my day off and whilst I'm on leave, I also appreciate the fact that people have commitments on there day off or are going away whilst on leave. But, If people were supposed to be in work on that day/night, then I believe there is no excuse for not turning up, even if its just for half an hour. I'm sorry but pissed stoned or just too busy are not excuses.

I also believe that, like a few on here, that no we wont change the minds of some strike breakers, but by having a lively picket line we show RM managers skulking around the building that the CWU has support, and that its members do care about whats happening and are actively involved.

In my office we have nearly 250 people, out of that lot 20 went in to work and the most we have had on the gate is eight.

support for the IA is dwindling fast, The delivery Rep has just resigned due to the apathy being shown by local CWU members. I'm inches away from resigning my position now! After 10 years as a Rep fighting for members, its a kick in the teeth when people wont show support, why should I and a few others be the only suckers on the gate. As soon as this fight is over I'm chucking it in.

Post by **TrueBlueTerrier** » 30 Jul 2007, 14:46

Fluke wrote:
axeman

they are supporting the union by not attending on strike days but there aren't any excuses for not going on the picket line i do even if it's my day off if i can so can everybody (single parent) even if it's for a short time just would give everyone the chance to have a break as well shame on anybody that does not go on the line but leaves it for others to do

there are no excuses period !!!!!

Firstly, I apologize if my post offends anyone. It was not meant to attack anyone supporting the IA by not working. I turn up on my day off and whilst I'm on leave, I also appreciate the fact that people have commitments on there day off or are going away whilst on leave. But, If people were supposed to be in work on that day/night, then I believe there is no excuse for not turning up, even if its just for half an hour. I'm sorry but pissed stoned or just too busy are not excuses.

I also believe that, like a few on here, that no we wont change the minds of some strike breakers, but by having a lively picket line we show RM managers skulking around the building that the CWU has support, and that its members do care about whats happening and are actively involved.

In my office we have nearly 250 people, out of that lot 20 went in to work and the most we have had on the gate is eight. support for the IA is dwindling fast, The delivery Rep has just resigned due to the apathy being shown by local CWU members. I'm inches away from resigning my position now! After 10 years as a Rep fighting for members, its a kick in the teeth when people wont show support, why should I and a few others be the only suckers on the gate. As soon as this fight is over I'm chucking it in.

That's a pity. My own DO has 300 posties and so far none have gone in. Our smallest picket line has been about 10 posties with 4 SWP members showing support but then the DOM had upset people already before the ballot so I suppose we will be a solid office for quite a bit of time (I hope).

J · Post by J » 30 Jul 2007, 15:07

I belong to the hardcore of pickets in our office.

I do my 15 hour stints, but thats choice and if people don't want to come down then that is entirely up to them. I don't bear them no grudge and the fact they don't come to work is good enough for me. And the pickets I stand with all have their family commitments and knowing that people are not coming into work as a show of protest is the best thing ever!!!

At our last day of IA at my office we had as many as 40 on the picket line at one point, people bringing their kids down etc which clearly infruriated the management as they were driving in coz they were cursing us. LOL. That to me was overwhelming. It was fantastic. And tomorrow morning when I finish at 5am I will be there and most of the nightshift colleagues will be driving home. Thats their choice and again, the fact they won't attend for work on the nightshift the following night, will suffice!!

Of course, if we get the support through the day and the night, the more the merrier. And if the weathers nice it's time to break out the bbq. LOL!!

See RM management, carnival atmosphere with us lot.........

I dare not say anymore!!!

scooby · Post by **scooby** » 30 Jul 2007, 15:52

we have about 120 postiesand about 5 was on the line most take it as a day of i think.

Spartacus · Post by **Spartacus** » 30 Jul 2007, 16:04

Don't mind some of the lads not turning up for picket duty,some people have got other things to do, but what gets me is when the mouthy ones in the unit (every one has them) can't be arsed getting out of bed to spend a few hours putting themselves on the line.

krooserman1802 · Post by **krooserman1802** » 30 Jul 2007, 16:34

we have a few, but then for those that turn up we have a laugh. And we have a couple of megaphones so we sound like a lot more...lol. If you can turn up its good, but some of us are based on industrial estates and no one see's us anyway except the TNT and DHL lorries. As long as people aint crossing the line I dont care where they go. We always have the same faces and we always have a laugh.

Spedley · Post by **Spedley** » 30 Jul 2007, 16:41

What are the rules about being on the picket line on your day off? Do Royal Mail dock your pay because you were actively striking? They count sick days, even if it is your day off, why not picket days?

IWW Fellow Worker · Post by **IWW Fellow Worker** » 30 Jul 2007, 16:45

Spartacus wrote:Don't mind some of the lads not turning up for picket duty,some people have got other things to do, but what gets me is when the mouthy ones in the unit (every one has them) can't be arsed getting out of bed to spend a few hours putting themselves on the line.

I think we all have those people in our workplaces. When we used to have union meetings at night, those who couldn't be bothered turning up would be the biggest moaners if some decision was voted on which they disagreed with. Anyway, a couple of hours on the picket line is great for getting to know people better, discussing a range of topics and just having a laugh.

bigsharkboy · Post by **bigsharkboy** » 30 Jul 2007, 18:11

J wrote:I belong to the hardcore of pickets in our office.

I do my 15 hour stints, but thats choice and if people don't want to come down then that is entirely up to them. I don't bear them no grudge and the fact they don't come to work is good enough for me. And the pickets I stand with all have their family commitments and knowing that people are not coming into work as a show of protest is the best thing ever!!!

At our last day of IA at my office we had as many as 40 on the picket line at one point, people bringing their kids down etc which clearly infruriated the management as they were driving in coz they were cursing us. LOL. That to me was overwhelming. It was fantastic. And tomorrow morning when I finish at 5am I will be there and most of the nightshift colleagues will be driving home. Thats their choice and again, the fact they won't attend for work on the nightshift the following night, will suffice!!

Of course, if we get the support through the day and the night, the more the merrier. And if the weathers nice it's time to break out the bbq. LOL!!

See RM management, carnival atmosphere with us lot.........

I dare not say anymore!!!

totally agree with the above post saturday i was there from 4.30am til midday thats my choice we have had a very good turn out on the picket line i actually managed to talk one guy from going into work on saturday which gave us all a fantastic morale boost
the main thing is that they dont cross but trying gentle encouragement today and hopefully gonna see some new faces on thursday picket line

as we only spend a couple of hours together 1st thing in the morning its really good to chat amongst ourselves and try to put the world to right on strike days

please lets not make it a them and us situation as that will play straight into RM plans lets take our fury out on the strike breakers who cross not the guys who stay away for whatever reason please

:cfo :lfo

i love mail sort · Post by **i love mail sort** » 30 Jul 2007, 18:27

i been on most of them but the first it was raining hard and didnt think anyone would be mad enough to go, i was wrong. i am going this week on my day off 4-10