Most of, if not all unions cease paying union leaders for any days of action there union is involved in ...........

The action is a democratic vote and I'll be deducted a days pay for the strike. Please be assured I'm no lemming eiter.

Yes my employer pays my wage whilst carrying out approved union duties, its called an agreement. What I'll also say is that I've sorted out a lot of problems in my time and whilst not saving my employer every penny its cost them in the long run I'd see its a good deal for the employer.

I wouldn't generally criticise the "staff union rep" level of the union hierarchy. In general (there are always individiuals who are tools whatever group you look at) they tend to have their colleagues' interests at heart and be decent, honest people in my experience. It is the people higher up the food chain with grand ideas and inflated egos that have put me off unions.

There is often a conflict of interest arising in which certain union leaders appear to have more to gain from leading strike action than they have from reaching a settlement. Maybe I'm just too cynical.

If there is any change, such as an improved offer, then yes, I will gladly reap the rewards. But then any trade unionist who believes in pay equality would agree with me, wouldn't they?

And if I do end up working overtime this weekend in order to effectively cover for striking union members next Wednesday, then I'll agree with you on that one also. I am lining my own pockets. But surely that's what trade unionists and striking members are doing, fighting for a few extra quid? Don't try and tell me that people will be walking out of work due to a sense of brotherhood and altruism? No, they're wanting to keep their snouts in the trough.

People may call it a betrayal, but the only people I have to answer to are my family.

this day of action surely is not about lining pockets its about cuts to pensions,paying more for longer and getting LESS

Less relative to what though? It's still a good deal. Just not quite as good as it was.

Anyway, what are pensions about if not lining pockets? The reason I pay into my pension is to try to ensure my pockets remain lined later in life.

I'm not too chuffed about it myself, but I'm not so narrow-minded that I don't appreciate that it is still a relatively good deal.

Its your choice and like I said I would not show you any animosity for working and I am getting a moderate final salary pension ,but it would be less than moderate if it was paid at an average.

It all depends on how you define lining pockets .I would call lining of pockets by getting money by doing something shady,like the bankers did when they caused the finacial crisis.

Not read all the post, but do know that in teaching, staff are not allowed to be brought in to replace striking members of staff.
I am striking too btw.


Edit: After having read some of the thread, the issue for me is this. It is not about crossing the picket lline, it is about covering someone elses job.
Sorry but that is a big no no for me.

I support any individuals right to strike.

I support any individual's right to not strike.

I wonder what difference this strike action will actually make?

I wonder if the pension's remained at their current level, how many people will have to lose their jobs to fund them?

When there isn't enough money to sustain the current situation, then the situation must change.

What I haven't seen from the Union leaders is an alternative plan, which will protect both the current terms and conditions of the workforce and not cost the country a (currently) unsustainable amount in return. Once I do see one, I might have a bit more sympathy with the unions. I already sympathise with those who are at risk of losing their job or having their terms eroded.

every worker has their right to withdraw their labour

every worker has a right to work

the only thing that matters is what is right for you. We all have different thought,ideas,motives and reasons to do what e do and say when it comes to breaking a strike and crossing a pickett line.

things to think of

Iam a greedy barsteward for taking the kings shilling why do i need the money?
can i afford to loose money will my family be able to live and eat?
will i be in debt to anyone?
what do my colleagues think of me when its all over?
is the job safe if we loose?
will i be out of work?

My union, UCU, has put forward alternative proposals, it did several months ago. I would imagine other unions did the same. Our pension scheme is extremely well run & financially healthy. Because those in the private sector, many on much higher salaries, chose to put their wages in extremely poorly managed schemes we are expected by equally suffer. What a sad state we have slipped into.

Tigertot, is there a link to the proposals so I could take a look at them and decide for myself if I think it would work?

I'm not against Unions, they can be a very powerful tool for protecting those who are unable to protect themselves, however I do have a (possibly misguided) view that the Unions have become self serving, politically motiviated vehicles for the individuals leading them, and have lost touch with the prinicple they exist for. I suppose you could say the same about the current and last few governments that this country has had too...