Crossing a picket line?

Doc · 11-11-2009 01:34AM #1

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 · 11-11-2009 01:37AM

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 · 11-11-2009 01:38AM

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 · 11-11-2009 01:39AM

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 · 11-11-2009 01:40AM

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

orourkeda · 11-11-2009 01:40AM

Depends on the circumstances

Borneo Fnctn · 11-11-2009 01:40AM

Yez dorty fuckin SCAAAAAABS!

Coriolanus · 11-11-2009 01:42AM

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 · 11-11-2009 01:42AM

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 · 11-11-2009 01:45AM

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

netwhizkid · 11-11-2009 01:45AM

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 · 11-11-2009 01:47AM

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 · 11-11-2009 01:47AM

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 · 11-11-2009 01:47AM

Yes I would.

Nothing to be afraid of.

Ilovelucy · 11-11-2009 01:47AM

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 · 11-11-2009 01:51AM

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 · 11-11-2009 01:52AM

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 · 11-11-2009 01:53AM

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 · 11-11-2009 02:08AM

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

The_Minister · 11-11-2009 02:32AM

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 · 11-11-2009 02:39AM

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 · 11-11-2009 02:47AM

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 · 11-11-2009 02:54AM

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 · 11-11-2009 02:58AM

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 · 11-11-2009 03:02AM

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 · 11-11-2009 03:03AM

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 · 11-11-2009 03:10AM

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 · 11-11-2009 03:12AM

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 · 11-11-2009 03:14AM

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 · 11-11-2009 03:17AM

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 · 11-11-2009 03:18AM

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.

Crossing a picket line?

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