Verbal and physical bullying

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Please do not in any circumstances resort to name calling or behaviour that could be deemed as bullying or harassment. Specifically, regarding the term 'scab'. It does have an historical meaning in some circles, but it can also be seen as abuse by others. Therefore members are requested to use the more acceptable term of 'Strike Breaker'

[TrueBlueTerrier]

This is a difficult one.

No one should be bullied, even someone who crosses a picket line. However feelings run high during strikes and some see it as a betrayal.

Some people have the view that Strike Breakers should be shunned and given the silent treatment, and some go that one step further. The problem comes is when does expression of your feeling of betrayal start to become bullying. If all people do is refuse to talk to the individual except when they absolutely have too, even that can be deemed as bullying especially if its aimed at a single individual.

My own personal view is that whilst I let strike breakers know how much I think they betrayed me and their colleagues, refusing to ever speak to them is unlikely to ever get them to strike again. I think you need to educate them why crossing a picket line is wrong and hopefully get them on your side. Using fear and intimidation to get them to do what you want, is exactly what we complain of managers doing to us. Is it really only right when we are doing the intimidation, and wrong when its being done to us.

For me bullying is wrong, and so is strike breaking in my honest opinion. All actions have consequences and you should accept that. However, bullying is also wrong and we should not decide its right because we disagree with the actions of the person being bullied.

To the OP. Whilst outright bullying and intimidation is wrong, you, when you crossed the picket line, must have known how your colleagues would feel and that there would be consequences. You must have accepted that you would get the silent treatment as a result. If you are getting threats or people are taking inappropriate action then it is bullying and you have to try to document what is happening and then present that to management.

Also just to clarify you said the bullying started 6 years ago, there was national action 3 years ago. Did you also break the strike then, I only ask because that could have been a good opportunity to show that you agreed with the strikes and perhaps the silent treatment would have stopped. Is that fair, no, but it may explain why its carried on for so long.

[Spongebobsquare]

You would of still got a wage slip, as it wasn't a week long strike, it was just odd days over few weeks and would clearly state on wage slip that it was a bit less than normal due to official industrial action.

[Jpostie2009]

I was not in the u.k at the time of the 2009 strikes - annual leave. When I say wage slips I mean at least a flat weeks wage showing on my wage slip for proof of earning for mortgage provider.

[fishtank]

I was not in the u.k at the time of the 2009 strikes - annual leave. When I say wage slips I mean at least a flat weeks wage showing on my wage slip for proof of earning for mortgage provider.

It's a pretty weak excuse.
I'm sure had you fully explained the situation to your potential mortgage provider an alternative arrangment from HR could have been worked out.
That said i don't condone any kind of bullying as a result of strike breaking,you can't expect people to like or respect you for it and people have long memories over these things but they should not be using it as an excuse to bully/intimidate or harass an individual.

[Lounge Lizard]

I was not in the u.k at the time of the 2009 strikes - annual leave. When I say wage slips I mean at least a flat weeks wage showing on my wage slip for proof of earning for mortgage provider.

It's a pretty weak excuse.
I'm sure had you fully explained the situation to your potential mortgage provider an alternative arrangment from HR could have been worked out.
That said i don't condone any kind of bullying as a result of strike breaking,you can't expect people to like or respect you for it and people have long memories over these things but they should not be using it as an excuse to bully/intimidate or harass an individual.

Yes, and surely you could have provided recent pay statements showing a full week worked.
I've just one wage coming in and three mouths to feed but that didn't stop me striking.

[Jpostie2009]

Same here had one wage coming in 4 mouths to feed and a wife with a terminal illness.
Not that I should have to justify my actions regarding strike action. But at that time it was very stressful.

[General Mannerheim]

Same here had one wage coming in 4 mouths to feed and a wife with a terminal illness.
Not that I should have to justify my actions regarding strike action. But at that time it was very stressful.

If your wife has a terminal illness and Royal Mail are not being seen to help you resolve the bullying and harassment,then they are firstly breaking the 1974 Health and Safety at Work Act:
Your Employer has a legal responsibility to ensure your health,safety and welfare at work are protected.
There is a right to mutual trust and confidence between employer and employee;and if bullying or harassing behaviour are allowed to go unchecked,that could mean that such trust and confidence is lost.
Employers are usually liable in LAW for the acts of their workers,and this includes bullying or harassing behaviour.

And secondly you WILL be covered under the Equality Act for Disability by Association.
Under Equality Act 2010 (s.26)
What is 'harassment'?

The Equality Act definition is fairly wide. 'Harassment' is where a person (A) engages in unwanted conduct related to a disability and the conduct has the purpose or effect of
(a) violating another person's (B's) dignity, or
(b) creating an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment for B

'Unwanted' does not mean express objection must be made. Also a serious one-off incident can amount to harassment. (Employment Code para 7.8)

Nobody should have to suffer at work,it's a job FFS.

[somerset]

Same here had one wage coming in 4 mouths to feed and a wife with a terminal illness.
Not that I should have to justify my actions regarding strike action. But at that time it was very stressful.

So stressful , you could still go abroad on holiday ? So you would still have been paid a full weeks wages during the strikes .Where is your problem with wage slips then ?

[Jpostie2009]

So stressful , you could still go abroad on holiday ? So you would still have been paid a full weeks wages during the strikes .Where is your problem with wage slips then ?

That was in 2006.( when the trouble started )
2009 was 3 years on.. When we had a family holiday and had moved etc.
Anyway thanks to all colleagues who have gave me positive comments.

[maisymoo04]

In response to a comment above , yes this started to happen because I had to go into work during a strike.

Thought i was right .As to why you are being B +H . No such word as " Had to go into work " All those who went on strike suffered aswell.

so the problem is being a strike breaker well you deserve all you get.you should get a transfer to another office (not london)
or become a manager or get another job.

oooo strong words from a london driver you sound like one of the bullys the guys on a bout says it all ye a driver in london

[martini]

In response to a comment above , yes this started to happen because I had to go into work during a strike.

Thought i was right .As to why you are being B +H . No such word as " Had to go into work " All those who went on strike suffered aswell.

so the problem is being a strike breaker well you deserve all you get.you should get a transfer to another office (not london)
or become a manager or get another job.

Thats unfair thats the sort of attitude that is not needed either way nobody should abuse those that went on strike or those that
went into work when the strikes were on. B&H is a serious matter. Strike breaking is not a reason or acceptable to make someones life hell, Its not 1970 now. I expect this will envoke a bit of stick but Royal Mail like a lot of companies talk a lot about B & H but do very little about it.

[dounome]

No one under any circumstances deserves to be bullied at their work every day, its this kind of behaviour that can cause people to do silly or extreme things.
By all means ignore this person if you think he did wrong or was a strike breaker but to bully and harass him daily makes you no better than the managers who bully us every single day and make our lives a misery.

[TrueBlueTerrier]

No one under any circumstances deserves to be bullied at their work every day, its this kind of behaviour that can cause people to do silly or extreme things.
By all means ignore this person if you think he did wrong or was a strike breaker but to bully and harass him daily makes you no better than the managers who bully us every single day and make our lives a misery.

[fishcake]

I am horrified that just because somebody decides not to go on strike they should be bullied! who is anyone to tell anyone else what they can or cant do when it comes to strike action. Shame on you bullies, I would never go on strike if it meant not feeding my family or loseing a roof over their head.