Strike Action Options

[Berkshirelad]

I note in NWN that the proposed public sector strike may, among other things, cause bins not to be emptied.

Why? Waste collection is contracted out to a private company, who regardless of striking workers are contracted to to undertake bin emptying. If this means Veolia management out on the lorries, then so be it.

[Guest_xjay1337_*]

I note in NWN that the proposed public sector strike may, among other things, cause bins not to be emptied.

Why? Waste collection is contracted out to a private company, who regardless of striking workers are contracted to to undertake bin emptying. If this means Veolia management out on the lorries, then so be it.

That is a true point; they are a private company paid for by the public sector so they are not allowed to strike. People strike first and actually consider the ramifications later. Shame really..

[TallDarkAndHands...]

Quite simply Private Sector workers should not serve Public Sector workers if they strike.
If Private sector workers 'strike' they'll be out of a job.
See how Public Sector workers get on without going to the bank, supermarket and pub.

[user23]

Quite simply Private Sector workers should not serve Public Sector workers if they strike.
If Private sector workers 'strike' they'll be out of a job.
See how Public Sector workers get on without going to the bank, supermarket and pub.

This is untrue.

BA cabin crew went on strike for 22 days.

Half of BT workers were going to go on strike until they got a 9% pay rise.

You can't be sacked for going on strike in the private or public sector (bar the exceptions someone else has already pointed out), if it's done legally.

[Simon Kirby]

You can't be sacked for going on strike in the private or public sector (bar the exceptions someone else has already pointed out), if it's done legally.

Yes, I'm afraid you can be sacked. In the situation you describe it'll be an automatic unfair dismissal and you can claim compensation from an Industrial Tribunal, though you might be surprised how little you end up with. It's not unknown for employers to sack their striking employees and then offer most of them their jobs back, as the cost of compensation is offset by the harsh terms the employeer dictates and a broken, compliant workforce, not to mention the inevitable de-unionisation that follows on a failed dispute.

[user23]

Yes, I'm afraid you can be sacked. In the situation you describe it'll be an automatic unfair dismissal and you can claim compensation from an Industrial Tribunal, though you might be surprised how little you end up with. It's not unknown for employers to sack their striking employees and then offer most of them their jobs back, as the cost of compensation is offset by the harsh terms the employeer dictates and a broken, compliant workforce, not to mention the inevitable de-unionisation that follows on a failed dispute.

As I understand it, if one's employers try to sack you in these circumstances, with automatic unfair dismissal you can request re-instatement which means you'll be back in your old job.

[Simon Kirby]

As I understand it, if one's employers try to sack you in these circumstances, with automatic unfair dismissal you can request re-instatement which means you'll be back in your old job.

Yes, it's technically possible for the tribunal to make an order, but in practice it's quite unusual. I think the tribunal tends to feel that the fundamental relationship has broken down and re-instatement isn't an option - essentially if the employer was in any way prepared to take the employee back they'd have done that already without taking things as far as an ET.