Crossing a picket line?

Doc

At the moment there is a lot of talks about strikes in the public sector and it got me thinking about how people felt about crossing picket lines.

It might be that you are working for a company and part of the workforce are striking but you are not a member of the union or you could be delivering something to the company and have to pass through the picket line in order to do so.

Personally I would find it very difficult to cross a picket line and don’t think I would.

F1ngers

Doc wrote: »

At the moment there is a lot of talks about strikes in the public sector and it got me thinking about how people felt about crossing picket lines.

It might be that you are working for a company and part of the workforce are striking but you are not a member of the union or you could be delivering something to the company and have to pass through the picket line in order to do so.

Personally I would find it very difficult to cross a picket line and don’t think I would.

If there is a line, it is your right, nay, it is your duty to cross it.

peanuthead

Don't think I would either to be honest, although would have to be in the situation and it would depend what it was over too.

But hey! A day of work...

Dudess

Doc wrote: »

It might be that you are working for a company and part of the workforce are striking but you are not a member of the union

Was in this exact situation five or six years ago - didn't cross it.

netwhizkid

Cross a picket line, I would do it with glee.

orourkeda

Depends on the circumstances

Borneo Fnctn

Yez dorty fuckin SCAAAAAABS!

Coriolanus

Depends on the cause. If I'd voted no to strike action, I'd probably cross the lines. If I'd voted yes, then obviously not.

Dudess

netwhizkid wrote: »

Cross a picket line, I would do it with glee.

I was way ahead of you - could have posted it for you and all, saved you the bother.

Jesus Wept

I'd clothesline it with an even bigger lineup of peeps.

netwhizkid

Dudess wrote: »

I was way ahead of you - could have posted it for you and all, saved you the bother.

Are you stalking my posts tonight?

I have a cyber stalker :cool: Which may be a female... slightly worrying :eek:

Doc

Nevore wrote: »

Depends on the cause. If I'd voted no to strike action, I'd probably cross the lines. If I'd voted yes, then obviously not.

Then why be in the union? Isn’t the point that the union puts on a united front after the vote?

Coriolanus

netwhizkid wrote: »

Are you stalking my posts tonight?

I have a cyber stalker :cool: Which may be a female... slightly worrying :eek:

Or sexy.

SV

Yes I would.

Nothing to be afraid of.

Ilovelucy

I worked in Dunnes during the South Africa dispute in 1982 and also worked in Bank in 1992 - stayed out both times. Was young, had no responsibilities then, not sure I'd do it now.

monkeyfudge

Generally no. I would not.

Had a problem earlier this year when the social welfare staff had a picket. There's a social welfare office in the same building as my office, but they picketed the entire building. And not even all the unions involved had sanctioned the strike, so even some of their own co-workers were passing, so I passed it as well, but did explain myself to them.

I just thought picketing the entire building was a bit out of order.

Doc

SV wrote: »

Yes I would.

Nothing to be afraid of.

It wouldn’t be fear that stopped me but respect for the people striking.

SV

Doc wrote: »

It wouldn’t be fear that stopped me but respect for the people striking.

I tend to find that most people who strike really don't have much of a reason and are only doing it to go with the flow of a small group that have built momentum.

phantom_lord

considering my complete disdain for unions and for the vast majority of striking workers i would happily cross most picket lines.

The_Minister

It would depend on the circumstances, but I will add that I think Hancock and Shankland deserved to rot in jail for a lot longer than five years.

/does Matrix "come get me" hand-signal at Labourites.

grenache

Not only would i cross it, but i'd drive back out and then drive back in a second time just to spite them. Strikes is the last thing this country needs right now.

papachango

I would pass the picket without a second thought if I didn't agree with it. Unions are a waste of space. People who join unions are lazy b**tards. The legislation is there, NOBODY needs a union, just a good solicitor. Kick these union jokers into touch.

Pride Fighter

papachango wrote: »

I would pass the picket without a second thought if I didn't agree with it. Unions are a waste of space. People who join unions are lazy b**tards. The legislation is there, NOBODY needs a union, just a good solicitor. Kick these union jokers into touch.

Describing over 800,000 people as lazy bastards is extremely ignorant and offensive.

K-9

SV wrote: »

I tend to find that most people who strike really don't have much of a reason and are only doing it to go with the flow of a small group that have built momentum.

That would be my general reaction, though I'd look at each case individually.

Regarding the Public Service, Union leaders are vested interests and would get as much respect as Ministers to me.

phantom_lord

Pride Fighter wrote: »

Describing over 800,000 people as lazy bastards is extremely ignorant and offensive.

well, it is a harsh. but i would not be looking towards unions or their members for solutions to our problems or economic advice.

saying eamon gilmore "is the only one to lead us out of this economic mess" is hilarious btw.

Overheal

I did this in School when the LC students went to war. So what if I was only in 1st year. I told those students I Dont Care about your problems I want to learn Algebra bitches.

Pride Fighter

phantom_lord wrote: »

well, it is a harsh. but i would not be looking towards unions or their members for solutions to our problems or economic advice.

saying eamon gilmore "is the only one to lead us out of this economic mess" is hilarious btw.

Would you prefer if everyone in a union that has lost their job to leave the country? Union leadership is inept and incompetent but speaking to people in unions who are out of a job it makes one realise the best tonic we need is a job retention/creation strategy. There are many good ordinary union people in this country. When people say unions the right wing media such as RTE (Fianna Fail propaganda), Independent News and Media (owned by a foreigner with Sir in his title), lead you to believe the only people in a union are state workers. This is utter lies. 500,000 private sector and some unemployed people are in unions. Without unions workers rights would be trod on.

As for leading us out of this economic mess Fianna Fail led us in and have no moral authority. Fine Gael are an extremely parochial, backward farmers party with an incompetent leader. So the only other alternative is the Labour party.

netwhizkid

Overheal wrote: »

I did this in School when the LC students went to war. So what if I was only in 1st year. I told those students I Dont Care about your problems I want to learn Algebra bitches.

A future CEO in the making, I respect you.

I wouldn't say everyone in unions are lazy just a slightly higher proportion than non-union workers is all.

Doc

netwhizkid wrote: »

A future CEO in the making, I respect you.

I wouldn't say everyone in unions are lazy just a slightly higher proportion than non-union workers is all.

And you base this on?

Coriolanus

Overheal wrote: »

I did this in School when the LC students went to war. So what if I was only in 1st year. I told those students I Dont Care about your problems I want to learn Algebra bitches.

I remember that. We, at least in my area, didn't picket the schools so much as leave the schools to protest the teachers striking...

It made sense at the time damnit!

netwhizkid

Doc wrote: »

And you base this on?

Wanting to learn Algebra in 1st year and not caring what the LC students were on about. The Nerdy kids grow up to the pay the wages of the popular kids who work in places like McDonalds and call the kids they used to Bully "Boss" now.

K-9

Pride Fighter wrote: »

Describing over 800,000 people as lazy bastards is extremely ignorant and offensive.

Pride Fighter wrote: »

500,000 private sector and some unemployed people are in unions.

Do you have figures to back that up. That means 62.5% are in the Private Sector.

Unions are dying and are largely a Public Sector thing now:
http://archives.tcm.ie/businesspost/2009/11/08/story45480.asp

Overheal

netwhizkid wrote: »

A future CEO in the making, I respect you.

Sir I've been called a lot of things in the last few weeks - Future CEO; future Politician; future resident of Hell

Wait, these arent mutually exclusive, are they? o_0

Coriolanus

Doc wrote: »

And you base this on?

Prof. RS Warren,8 page study published in the Journal of Labour Research wrote:

Maximum likelihood estimates of the model indicate that union membership significantly decreased average labor productivity, holding constant the quality and mix of capital and labor and controlling for cyclical effects.

Badabing.

phantom_lord

Pride Fighter wrote: »

Would you prefer if everyone in a union that has lost their job to leave the country?

?

Union leadership is inept and incompetent but speaking to people in unions who are out of a job it makes one realise the best tonic we need is a job retention/creation strategy.

And what have unions got to do with that? organising national strikes is hardly the best way to create jobs.

There are many good ordinary union people in this country. When people say unions the right wing media such as RTE (Fianna Fail propaganda), Independent News and Media (owned by a foreigner with Sir in his title), lead you to believe the only people in a union are state workers.

I don't think anyone is under that impression.

Pride Fighter wrote: »

Without unions workers rights would be trod on.

don't be ridiculous. it's not 1913. unions have out lived their usefulness and now just stifle progress.

netwhizkid

Overheal wrote: »

Sir I've been called a lot of things in the last few weeks - Future CEO; future Politician; future resident of Hell

Wait, these arent mutually exclusive, are they? o_0

Come over to the Dark side Luke, feel the force!

Overheal

Nevore wrote: »

I remember that. We, at least in my area, didn't picket the schools so much as leave the schools to protest the teachers striking...

It made sense at the time damnit!

I remember they went on strike again when i got to 5th year. But I guess attitudes had changed, we were not striking like our predecessors. Which again, was fine by me, as most of us did see it not as a political agenda but an excuse for fresh air.

Agent Smith

What we need is some good old fashioned Strike breakers, Like the ones in the 30's...

I'd Arrest any striking worker who intimidated or tried to stop someone going to work.

congo_90

fook the cry babies. If i'm not part of a union or im delivering goods then the latter is outside working dispute. Thats like saying bord gais should shut down gas supply to a company due to strike. fook that. Some of us still have work and regardless of strike will do so. If I work for the company as a noob and not on the union then above rules apply. I'm not part of it and unless it affects me then tough shi* Let the lickarses/ scabs through... guess who will have a job in 6months in comparision to those who are in a union.. yes you stand outside not earning a cent. If you were really that concerned then resort to somthing other than a glorified day off.

I'd never subscribe to a sign post day off. Paid or not. If i'm not happy wiht my work I negotiate some sort of deal or move to a better company. At least threaten moving my skills.

The sooner people realise they are not tied to said job the better. What has ever come of protesting? Look at taxis. They prostested and god nothing but negative feedback.

minidazzler

Does anyone know what Security Company will be doing Strike Breaking when this comes about.....I wanna get me in on that action!!!

Esel

monkeyfudge wrote: »

I just thought picketing the entire building was a bit out of order.

I'm slightly confused. How do you picket part of a building?

Bandit12

Not in a million years. I would'nt be able to look myself in the mirrior if i did.

Ste.phen

Wow, there's a lot of hysterics here on both sides, madness.

My own answer has been seen a few times: Depends on why they're picketing.
I've seen stupid union strikes making things worse for everyone, and i've also seen employers treat staff terribly and given just cause for strikes.

nice1franko

Any answer other than "depends on why they're picketing" is thick.

Each case has to be judged on its own merit.

Sleepy

In Ireland, I'd almost certainly happily moonwalk past a picket line. In a country without our strong workers rights I might not be so quick to cross - depends on what the workers were striking over.

stovelid

I can't think of many situations where I would cross a picket line. Certainly never if it was my colleagues.

D

Currently unemployed, if I got a job even for a little bit of cash you're damn right I'm crossing.

papachango

papachango wrote: »

The legislation is there, NOBODY needs a union, just a good solicitor.

Would you agree that the reason the legislation is there is in no small part attributable to the hard work put in over the years by the Unions?

esel wrote: »

I'm slightly confused. How do you picket part of a building?

Boots had a notice in yesterdays papers about strikes happening. There's a Boots in the Jervis Centre in town (Dublin), so, in theory, they could just picket outside that shop, rather than the entire shopping centre.

RustyNut

congo_90 wrote: »

What has ever come of protesting?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahatma_Gandhi

Mad_Max

Yep, If I wanted to, I'd do it without so much as a moments thought.

I'm as free to cross as they are to strike.

MementoMori

Interesting to read this as I didn't cross a picket line last week but that was due to the fact that my mother was with me and she wouldn't.

[It was to do with the jarveys striking outside Killarney National Park because they don't want to have their horses wear diaper/nappies and the National Park are excluding them from the National Park until they do so]

Surprised and kinda disappointed that the vast majority people didn't vote for "depends on the circumstance"

Surely a huge amount depends on the circumstances of the strike in some cases you have evil companies who are just screwing people over while in other cases you have people striking over extremely trivial reasons {see above}

Probably indicative of the current status unions have in the country.