Questions about possible strike at my job

[motely36]

I work as a programmer for my current company. I have been here almost a year. The manufacturing shop downstairs is union. I am not.

Apparently, the union voted down their newest contract offer. If the union strikes, what would be my proper course of action? Does the strike affect me? Should I not cross the picket line?

I have never worked in a union environment before and I don't know what to do. Hopefully, a strike will not occur, but you never know.

Thanks,

[ogneopasno]

1. It's up to you whether to cross the line or not.

[motely36]

I realize that

I was looking for insight as to the effects of the decision.

[ogneopasno]

9. Well, it depends on how you look at it.

You'll piss off a lot of people you could have solidarity with if you cross the line. Or not. They might offer a side door entrance so you don't have to actually physically cross the line -- I see it as a cop out for both sides, but YMMV.

You'll piss off your boss if you honor the line, or not, depending on the management at your company.

Your company might use the strike as an excuse to lay you off or take away hours or require a furlough. They might not.

It's really hard to tell without more information. I see pickets as a moral issue and I will not cross one.

[ogneopasno]

10. Also,

voting down a contract is just the beginning of a long process to calling a strike. It will probably be weeks before it gets to that point, unless they've already filed an intent to strike, which I don't think they can do when they're still voting on a contract. One thing to remember is that no one WANTS a strike.

[motely36]

12. Thanks for the information

[ogneopasno]

14. Good luck to you.

I apologize if I sounded snotty or flippant upthread. This kind of issue is very important to me and my family -- we take it as seriously as other people take their morals or religion, and I can react in a fundie manner when other people have questions about it. It's something I need to work on.

[tekisui]

2. I don't know.

But, I don't think you will be as protected if you strike as the union workers are. You could put yourself at an unnecessary risk. If you can afford to strike and are supportive of the unions positions, you could consider it. But, you would make yourself vulnerable. I wish you luck with whatever decision you make, and I am sure someone who knows much more than I will offer some good advice.

[motely36]

5. I hope a strike does not occur

[NightWatcher]

3. here's hoping you make the right decision. No pressure

[motely36]

6. Thanks,

it's the decision I want to make, I just am not sure of the ramifications.

[NightWatcher]

11. could you call in sick for a couple of days without it hurtung you?

I understand your position. Call the union and ask them how you can show support without costing you your job. Maybe they'll have some ideas.

Do what you gotta do, but I understand.

[motely36]

13. Thanks for the advice

I don't know if it will come to a strike, as i said, I've never worked in a union shop. At the moment, i may be overreacting.

[Lint Head]

4. Not crossing the line only indicates support. You may be verbally

hassled but it is your choice. Union members have support with contracted regulations related to strikes depending on the union affilation. You have to think of your own pocket book.
:dem:

[motely36]

8. Can I show support and still have a job?

[rug]

7. Contact the Local.

[JANdad]

15. You are not in the Union

Therefore you have no "Line" to cross.

The union folks know this and will more than likley leave you alone. You can support them by donating to their strike fund...

[OutNow]

16. I was in the exact same situation once

I was a IT programmer and worked in the office building at a manufacturing plant in New Jersey. I was not in a union. The plant was a United Steelworkers union plant. The union went on strike. I come from a union family.

I talked on the phone with the union and explained my situation. I have never crossed a picket line and never will. He suggested that I drive to work and stop at the picket line that was set up at the entrance to the parking lot. I then should drive home and call my boss and tell him I tried to drive in but it was too dangerous to cross the line. I did that for 6 days until the strike was settled.
My boss was (mysteriously?) completely silent about my missing work. I got paid for the days I missed.

After returning to work I found out that many of the office workers had family members in the plant that were on strike. Most of them did not cross the line, and in order to avoid a major confrontation, the company decided to ignore the issue.

BTW - to the poster who stated there is no line to cross if you are not in the union - bullshit. I was scheduled to speak at a computer conference in San Francisco and when I arrived I saw that the hotel workers were on strike and and had a picket line. I told the conference organizers that I was not able to get to the room to give my talk. They rescheduled the talk for the next day in a different hotel. The concept is called SOLIDARITY.

[motely36]

17. Thanks so much for this

[ogneopasno]

19. Great answer.

And good move by the company!

[AndyA]

18. Sounds like you've been given some good advice in this thread.

Just wanted to say I hope it's a decision you'll never have to face. (Sending good thoughts your way...) ;)

[NNN0LHI]

20. You are a salary employee so you go to work as usual

Though don't be surprised if you find yourself with a new temporary job assignment like getting the last orders shipped out downstairs or something.

It will break the monotony.

Don

[lunatica]

21. They expect other union members not to cross the line (if possible)

That includes any union companies who deliver or do building maintenance, or who are janitors, etc. as well as customers.

They don't expect non-union people to honor the picket line because usually their union protects their jobs better than the non-union jobs. In other words it's easier for you to be outright fired for not crossing the line. But if you sympathize with them let them know anyway, they'll appreciate it.

Your work classification isn't unionized and unions know this, though someday it might be. Show them some support and they won't forget it.

[OutNow]

23. A Picket Line Is Serious Stuff

I know that the union movement is very weak these days compared to fifty years ago, and therefore some picket lines are, as you suggested, a symbolic line that other union members honor and that's about it.

OTOH, picket lines are the primary means to stop scabs and other strike breakers from entering the work site and taking the jobs of the union members. It is meant as a real barrier not just a symbolic one. My dad was in the painter's union for 40 years and I remember the 2 or 3 occasions when a construction company tried to bring in a non-union company to do any work. All the construction trades unions immediately left the job site and set up a picket line that was meant to stop anyone from entering the site. My uncle (an electrician) suffered a beat down by rent-a-cops during one of these strikes.

Just sayin.

[lunatica]

24. You're right, but the OP is a non-union worker and not a scab

Historically the violence has been very bad and I'm not surprised your uncle got beaten up with scab cops. I hope it doesn't come to that kind of confrontation in the future, but I believe it's quite possible that it will, especially with times getting so tough.

[guitar man]

22. Do your job

If you're on the non-union side of the company, you're not scabbing by going in and doing your job. However, if they tell you to go downstairs and do a union member's job then you're crossing their line.

I ran into this years ago, I was on the non-union side of the company at the time when the union went on strike. I went in to do my job and my boss told me to "go get on a machine." I told him to go piss up a rope. They fired me not too long after that, I knew it was coming, but I was ok with it. It was just a damn job and I could get another one, but one day I'll have to see my grandfather and father in the afterlife and I don't know how I would ever have explained pissing on their graves by scabbing.

Ultimately, it's all up to you. These are tough times and jobs are hard to come by. Best of luck.