Civil Service Wide Strike - May 1st

[Guineveretoo]

PCS report a good turn out across the country, despite the civil service being ready for it this time, and trying to cover.

This website: http://www.pcs.org.uk/Templates/Internal.asp?NodeID=911031

shows some of the latest news from picket lines.

 

[glenquagmire]

"You have resigned your membership and joined a scab union"

Who?

 

[KeyboardJockey]

"You have resigned your membership and joined a scab union"

Who?

Reffering to the fact that I resigned from PCS and joined GMB.

 

[nino_savatte]

They're all scabbing at my local Jobcentre: there's no picket line and the entire office seems to be fully staffed.

 

[glenquagmire]

Reffering to the fact that I resigned from PCS and joined GMB.

I totally disagree with you working today and if I was a civil servant I would be out today, but Guineveretoo referring to my union as a scab union hasn't exactly endeared him to me either.

Our local GMB branch (not the one I'm a member of) - GMB Holborn - is fully behind the PCS strike and I noticed had even placed an advert in Labour Left Briefing the other day calling on people to support the PCS strike.

So I'd appreciate an explanation for why he's calling us a scab union.

 

[KeyboardJockey]

I totally disagree with you working today and if I was a civil servant I would be out today, but Guineveretoo referring to my union as a scab union hasn't exactly endeared him to me either..

If I could AFFORD to be out be out today and if I believed that the strike would accomplish anything then I would be out.

I'd like to know why a work to rule wasn't considered. Less hardship for members and possibly more effective.

 

[jeff_leigh]

If I could AFFORD to be out be out today and if I believed that the strike would accomplish anything then I would be out.

I'd like to know why a work to rule wasn't considered. Less hardship for members and possibly more effective.

I agree your point about a work to rule being the better and more effective option, but the piss poor excuse about not being able to lose a days pay IMHO is just a cop out we're all in the same boat and with people with an attitude like yours any wonder the strike will have so little effect?

 

[KeyboardJockey]

I agree your point about a work to rule being the better and more effective option, but the piss poor excuse about not being able to lose a days pay IMHO is just a cop out we're all in the same boat and with people with an attitude like yours any wonder the strike will have so little effect?

Losing a days pay isn't a big issue for those with savings access to credit cards etc. For others it is a big issue.

We are not all in the same boat.

There is considerable anger in my place about how we can't get strike pay becuase the union can't afford it but pcs can pay high salaries/expenses/junkets to union high ups. I thought the whole idea of a union was to support the members we have had very little support from pcs.

 

[Cobbles]

PCS report a good turn out across the country, despite the civil service being ready for it this time, and trying to cover.

This website: http://www.pcs.org.uk/Templates/Internal.asp?NodeID=911031

shows some of the latest news from picket lines.

"Eltham Palace in southeast London is expected to close"

HOLY MOTHER OF GOD THE WORLD WILL END.......

It's a bit like flies going on strike - the turds were all there yesterday and there'll be just as many there to-morrow.

 

[Timbo]

I'm a PCS member based in Nottingham - attended picket line duty - 8 pickets on one gate, three people on another. Majority of PCS members seemed to have respected the strike. Came home at half ten, spent the rest of the day idling around going thru' record collection, enjoying the sun, eating cheese and ham panini, and biscuits.Regardless of whether the strike action had any effect, I'm still in favour of it. For one thing , anything that embarrasses new labour , and tells them not all is well cant be a bad thing, and secondly going on strike is still kind of a statement which says you're not just going to be passively be bullied , and treated like human cattle to be pushed and bossed around at will allof the time. The right to withdraw your labour is one the few rights that we have left . Regardless of the politics of it, the simple act of just idling around for a day just because you choose to,can be uplifting simply because you're exercising free will.

 

[Cobbles]

.....the simple act of just idling around for a day just because you choose to,can be uplifting simply because you're exercising free will.......

Isn't that usually just called "puling a sickie", something that the public sector heads league tables in, unlike productivity and efficiency.

 

[the button]

I'm a PCS member based in Nottingham - attended picket line duty - 8 pickets on one gate, three people on another. Majority of PCS members seemed to have respected the strike. Came home at half ten, spent the rest of the day idling around going thru' record collection, enjoying the sun, eating cheese and ham panini, and biscuits.Regardless of whether the strike action had any effect, I'm still in favour of it. For one thing , anything that embarrasses new labour , and tells them not all is well cant be a bad thing, and secondly going on strike is still kind of a statement which says you're not just going to be passively be bullied , and treated like human cattle to be pushed and bossed around at will allof the time. The right to withdraw your labour is one the few rights that we have left . Regardless of the politics of it, the simple act of just idling around for a day just because you choose to,can be uplifting simply because you're exercising free will.

Good lad. (If lad you are).

Lovely day you got for it, anyway.

 

[Timbo]

Well yeah, it could be, depends whether you tend to throw sickies or not. Personally I don't. if you go on strike though you get no money, whereas throwing a sickie is a tad more deceitful and less honourable in as such that you get paid for it under false pretenses. So I wouldnt say or agree with the view that going on strike is analogous to throwing a sickie. Anyway off now for a long leisurely bath...

 

[Timbo]

Good lad. (If lad you are).

Lovely day you got for it, anyway.

cheers for that Button, and yes indeed I am a 'lad'

 

[belboid]

pickets in sheffield were more numerous than on the last strike
, as several who didnt turn out last time were replaced at the recent agm. dwp, dfes, ir and the courts were largely shut down, a skeleton staff of mainly managers keeping themtechnically open. disappointingly small demo, tho with the wether being like it si today, seems to make far more sense to go and lay in around in a park if you can.

 

[the button]

cheers for that Button, and yes indeed I am a 'lad'

No worries. I used to be involved in the old CPSA, and can remember Mark Serwotka when he was nobbut a Branch Secretary. [\memory lane]

 

[dennisr]

Losing a days pay isn't a big issue for those with savings access to credit cards etc. For others it is a big issue.

You loose a lot more than a days pay if you let the government get away with what it is presently getting away with.

You are right though - we are not all in the same boat - some of us are scabbing

ps nice one timbo - best of luck and hope you have a lovely day

 

[KeyboardJockey]

You loose a lot more than a days pay if you let the government get away with what it is presently getting away with.

And the strike will achieve what exactly? Apart from causing hardship to members that is. I gladly signed up for the 04 strike and when I saw how it achieved fuck all in terms of stoppign compulsory redundancies I thought why did I bother? Lets face it CS's have zero support from the public most people believe as Cobbles does that we are a bunch of parasites. I would have gladly gone on strike if there was strike pay.

To add. If I lose a days money it is the difference between just squeeking through the month and having to go to a loan shark to cash a cheque at 25%+ interest just to survive. Those who shout SCAB at people are probably the most comfortably off and can afford to lose money some of us can't.

You are right though - we are not all in the same boat - some of us are scabbing

Reluctantly I should say. Gave me a twinge of regret that I wasn't striking but I'm not going to put myself out if no other fucker is going to.

ps nice one timbo - best of luck and hope you have a lovely day

Glad it worked out for some people.

 

[dennisr]

And the strike will achieve what exactly?

The reply is scabbing will achieve what exactly?

During the last dispute I tried to understand your points. I was sympathetic to th reality of a possible crap union branch. I tried to argue the wider points gently and understanding your bad experiences. This time around Guin has shown a similar understanding


But this time around - fuck it - you are a scab mate. Why join another union? - why don't you simply leave the union movement rather than become another on of the useless prawns that make the present union movement so weak, divisive and pathetic and petty. 'service' my arse - that is the most pathetic excuse for scabbing i have heard.

To put it less subtly - It is thanks to people like you that we are all (including you...) in the shite we are. you are spineless coward - i don't mean that as personal spite or anger - but it is what you are. Live with it and don't come moaning to the rest of us about your pay and conditions if you are not willing to help build the one movement that can roll back all this crap. Or, get off of your knees

 

[jeff_leigh]

Lets face it CS's have zero support from the public most people believe as Cobbles does that we are a bunch of parasites. .

Suggest Cobbles stops reading trashy redtop taloids

I would have gladly gone on strike if there was strike pay. .

Well thats big of you

Those who shout SCAB at people are probably the most comfortably off and can afford to lose money some of us can't. .

No they're probably just ordinary workers pissed off to be making an effort no matter how small and then watch someone just cross the picket line with a "Fuck you mate! I'm alright Jack attitude"



Reluctantly I should say. Gave me a twinge of regret that I wasn't striking.[/QUOTE]


But not enough to lose a days pay eh?



but I'm not going to put myself out if no other fucker is going to. .[/QUOTE]

well me and timbo are

 

[dennisr]

"but I'm not going to put myself out if no other fucker is going to" - well me and timbo are

When the fella gets the results of the battle you and timbo are fighting, he won't even concider where these come from.

In the meantime whats he doing on urban? the lazy sod... ('as a taxpayer, I pays his wages loike....' )

 

[KeyboardJockey]

When the fella gets the results of the battle you and timbo are fighting, he won't even concider where these come from.

In the meantime whats he doing on urban? the lazy sod... ('as a taxpayer, I pays his wages loike....' )

My version of work to rule

 

[dennisr]

My version of work to rule

fairy nuff - but you get my point - i could be petty and defeated as well... i try not to be...

real 'working to rule' works as a united tactic - when workers stand together - on your own you will be just that - 'on your own'. Even if your own workplace is shite - it does not give you the excuse you are looking for cos there isn't one

 

[KeyboardJockey]

Suggest Cobbles stops reading trashy redtop taloids

The problem is it is not just Cobbles who reads and believes trashy redtops.

Well thats big of you

No just realistic.

No they're probably just ordinary workers pissed off to be making an effort no matter how small and then watch someone just cross the picket line with a "Fuck you mate! I'm alright Jack attitude"

If you knew me IRL you would know that I don't have an I'm alright Jack attitude. I know for a fact that those very few people in my place who are off do have access to savings and credit cards which I dont have. BTW none of the pickets called me a scab today even they understand what the situation is.

Reluctantly I should say. Gave me a twinge of regret that I wasn't striking


But not enough to lose a days pay eh?

I can't AFFORD to lose a days pay. I'm already having to think about getting a second job just to pay off the debts I incurred through not having an I'm Alright Jack attitude and caring for a mentalist abusive ex for too many years.

but I'm not going to put myself out if no other fucker is going to. .

well me and timbo are [/QUOTE]

And good luck to you. You obviously don't work in my place.

 

[dennisr]

No just realistic.

Thats a key problem KJ - your 'realism' is a cover for your own opportunism. (its 'that more in common with galloway than you think' time again)

the realism of the bosses mate - can't you feel them - walking all over you, they are...

 

[KeyboardJockey]

Thats a key problem KJ - your 'realism' is a cover for your own opportunism. (its 'that more in common with galloway than you think' time again)

Not opportunism just seeing things how they are. I would have loved to have supported the action today but I just fucking couldn't. I didn't want to have to go begging for handouts because I supported a strike that wouldn't achieve anything.

the realism of the bosses mate - can't you feel them - walking all over you, they are...

Very true. And what hurts most is the is fuck all that can be done to stop them walking over us. I wish that wasn't the case but it is. Stand up and speak out and you will be replaced by some cipher / yes man / cheap eastern european.

 

[dennisr]

I'm already having to think about getting a second job just to pay off the debts I incurred through not having an I'm Alright Jack attitude and caring for a mentalist abusive ex for too many years.

I do genuinely sympathise with this sort of individual stuff, if thats part of your reasoning. I don't know your personal circumstances. But you are far from the only person who has all the same everyday problems.

At least this is honest - you are demoralised and beaten, you have lost confidence in others - but its like a vicious circle isn't it - you pass on that to the next group of people who would otherwise have taken a stand and the 'defeated' perpetuate themselves - and then look for excuses to project that onto others (the union is useless, it does nothing etc etc).

When I get pissed off with life in general my reaction is to stick my heals in further - you seem to do the opposite?

 

[glenquagmire]

I agree with what dennis has been saying.

But...I still want to know why the GMB is being called a scab union. Digging my own heels in here.

 

[KeyboardJockey]

I do genuinely sympathise with this sort of individual stuff, if thats part of your reasoning. I don't know your personal circumstances. But you are far from the only person who has all the same everyday problems.

I agree there.

At least this is honest - you are demoralised and beaten, you have lost confidence in others - but its like a vicious circle isn't it - you pass on that to the next group of people who would otherwise have taken a stand and the 'defeated' perpetuate themselves - and then look for excuses to project that onto others (the union is useless, it does nothing etc etc).

I am demoralised and beaten. It seems that there is no such thing as solidarity just individual consumers. Life is brain damage enough without making it even harder.

When I get pissed off with life in general my reaction is to stick my heals in further - you seem to do the opposite?

I've done my fair share of digging my heels in but I've just got tired of being defeated.

 

[dennisr]

Very true. And what hurts most is the is fuck all that can be done to stop them walking over us. I wish that wasn't the case but it is. Stand up and speak out and you will be replaced by some cipher / yes man / cheap eastern european.

If you don't build a fightback in the civil service - then you are all being replaced by the same (i'll be out there unionising the cheap labour myself - having seen what has already happened in my trade)

It all comes back to the same thing doesn't - stand up now or roll over now

And lets get away from this as yet unchallenged idea of yours that what the PCS is doing is 'achieving nothing'. This is rubbish. Finally, you have a union leadership with a long term strategy (just as the government have a strategy to destry your jobs and conditions) - rebuilding the union, particularly among young members, building a tradition of resistance in a previously unconfident and conservative membership, and even winning concessions (unlike most of the trade union movement). And at that moment you walk away...