www.iva.co.uk

Well my union are striking monday and tuesday... I feel sick with worry!! How can I strike?? It goes against everything I believe in going against it (I live in an old pit colliery).. People I know struggled in the 80s and our whole town pulled together.. How do I cross that line..

Ang, life is testing you at the moment isn't it? I don't know what to say to the above as I've no experience of striking and feel it's not up to me to comment, however, I want you to know I'm thinking of you xx

Hi Ang,

Sorry to hear about the strike, it's the last thing you need at the moment.

I have crossed a picket line a few times, didn't enjoy it but couldn't afford to lose the money.

Not an easy choice to make.

Hi Ang.....I understand what you mean about crossing the picket line. Is it possible for you to take any holidays or have they already ruled that out?

xx

no can't put holidays in... Urghhh life stinks!!

Sick time!!!

Going sick is an option, but I would make sure you have a doctors paper. A self cert would probably be investigated in this circumstance.

Is there any chance of the strike being called off?

I am in the same union, and I'm going into work!

All the other unions have agreed to the revised terms, so the PCS are onto a loser with this strike.

Also morally with the current economic climate, I don't feel I'm justified in moaning about the loss of money when I still have a job, and even after the amendments, any redundancy payment would still be a heck of a lot more than most people would get.

There are people losing their jobs up and down the country, some of whom will have difficulty getting another job, for me to go on strike would be against everything I believe in.

I voted no to strike action, and I stand by my beliefs.

Its a very personal decision....me, I would never cross the line and would never succumb to blackmail over the current climate.

I daresay nothing will be gained from the strike, but I totally understand and respect you Angela for your stance.

I'm in the same position and union and will be going in to work...as others have said it won't get them anywhere as the other unions have agreed .....striking hasn't even been an option for me as I couldn't afford the loss of two days wages even if I agreed with striking...and I don't think we would get any sympathy with our IVA companies when we called to say we couldn't pay our IVA payment next month.
Managers will need to be on hand on Mon and Tues to help staff cross the picket lines so don't panic about that.....good luck !

I totally respect anyone who feels strongly enough that they should strike, however I wouldn't be able to afford the drop in pay. We only just get by as it is.

Have to say that when my union went on strike a few years ago there were no managers on hand to assist us, but then again there was no nastiness we were just allowed to go through.

Angela and others in same position i really feel for you. My father was a miner so I know how much strike action can effect us....it was a torrid time and although strikes are never seen these days on the same scale, for those of us on so tight a budget even a couple of days without pay can be crippling. Do what you feel is right.

Unfortunately work is not so easy to come by these days and some employers know they can get away with paying as little as possible in this current financial climate. I heard last week that for the second time running (2 years) we will not be getting any pay rise.....none of us are happy with the situation but realise that industrial action would do more harm then good so will have to live with it.

Good luck.

Unfortunately I can see no rise on the cards for this year - it looks like our pay will be frozen whilst the MP's take home an extra £1000 a year - where is the equality in that ! I see it as at least I can pay my bills each month and look at that as a bonus - every little helps but you can't rely on your performance award this year or pay rise - I don't think either will happen !

We have a three year deal, this year is the last year, so we should get one.

After that, I think it will be frozen.

morning angela18, i am in the same union as you are and i am going on strike for the two days.let me say from the outset i can fully understand given the present political and financial climate why staff will cross the picket line.but let me correct a couple of comments that have been made..the other civil service unions only represent 10% the pcs represent the other 90%, of the workforce.the government are making the changes to the civil service scheme so they CAN make job cuts.Otherwise why change it?? this action has to be taken...but like i said, i am not one of those people who don't understand why some staff have to go into work.i do understand...
all the best