I agree.whitemoor66 wrote:Short term loss should not be a consideration within the bigger picture (in my opinion.) I've been there and dealt with it. If you lose money through industrial action, you have to prioritise who you have to pay. It will help if you are up front with the people you owe money to, rather than not opening letters or picking up the phone. Obviously rent/mortgage has to be a priority. Mortgage Companys will be more helpful than landords, especially private ones. Utilities will accept revised budgets as will council tax people. They will all piss and moan but if you offer a token payment and work out and agree a revised budget, they will accept in in the end. As for credit agreements, they can accept a reduced payment for one month. If you credit is poor anyway, it won't change anything. If your wage doesn't cover your outgoings anyway, you are in the wrong job.andy2007 wrote:No, I don't think they get any sympathy at all, once they've crossed the lines. At least not in my experience. But they DO get more protection.
The problem as I see it, is twofold. Before the Strike. Anyone who says that they're considering crossing the lines, is usually subjected to considerable intimidation. Instead of people calmly explaining that they're wrong to even consider doing so.
There are a lot of people, who're scared of the short term financial difficulties that they will face if they Strike. But what we should be explaining to them, is that if they DON'T Strike, they'll face far worse, long term financial problems, deterioration of their working conditions, and less job security. Looking at the situation from the very short sighted perspective, of worrying about paying next week/months bills, is incredibly counterproductive. And it's exactly the attitude that Managers love, as it deters people for voting for Strikes, and sometimes convinces people to cross the lines.
After the Strike. If someone has crossed the Picket Lines, they're usually Bullied. Which alienates them, and makes them more likley to cross the lines in the future, just to spite those who Bullied them. And could potentially result in suspensions, or even sackings for B&H!
Obviously there are a minority of people, who just don't care, and will cross the lines, no matter what we do. But is it REALLY worth missing the opportunity to convince the short sighted, and often frightened, Strike Breakers. That they were wrong to do so, and should support us in the future?
I've seen people start off Strike Breaking, and later, join us on the Picket Lines. It's not just a pipe dream. It's a FACT!
Yes everybody can afford to loose a few days pay for Industrial Action.
I was taking industrial action for 3 weeks against BT in early 1987 with the P.O.E.U. and got married in May that year. You will and can find a way.
I hope you find my post helpful and I promise you I don't wan't it to sound patronising, but look at the bigger picture.
If you are in the club, as far as I'm concerned, you have to obey the club rules.
Difficult one this--In our office, one or two folks strike break only because they are 'sooks' and have always crawled round the Management.On the face of it, they seem to be treated preferentially--but only for a short time. On balance,you usually find once folks are back,there is no real difference in treatment,usually much to the chargin of the 'line crosser'--
). And there was no talking to him. But I believe that people like that are quite rare. Sometimes you can talk some sense into them, if you can bring yourself to spend the time with them.
you've hit the nail on the head with the talk of hoped for promotion. I can understand and accept folks crossing 