Unison@BSU

Pensions dispute information for Unison members at Bath Spa University

The industrial action on the 30th has changed the balance of the negotiations. You probably won't think so from reading the media - as Unions are on the receiving end of a lot of criticism there. Industrial action is similar to an election in that the party who gains the trust of the people sometimes wins. You can help:

• Know the issues. Pensions shouldn't be a 'Race to the bottom' - society should work to improve everyone's pensions, not just those for the public sector - or those for a few who happen to be at the top of their organisations.
• Get the message across to people. For instance, many people think that people on strike continue to be paid by their employer, or that they strike to cause the most disruption they can. This strike is the only option available to strengthen the hand of the people negotiating to settle this pensions dispute - something that will benefit everyone in the industries concerned.
• As a member, support your Union. This in particular is a campaign that will benefit many non-members - so help recruit, you'll strengthen support for this.

Here's our branch's presentation on the issue we face. (Powerpoint 800kb).

General advice on how this works:

Why are we striking?

A strike is one of the options left to us to strengthen the hands of the people negotiating on your behalf to protect pensions for everyone - whether a member or not. By having a firm intention to strike, you help resolve the pensions issue in our favour. The 'Point' of this isn't to go on strike, striking is expensive and disruptive. It's to resolve the dispute.

Why should I strike? I don't have a pension.

Union members help and support each other. Not all issues will affect you, but this is one that affects a great many people, members or otherwise.

Why should I strike? I voted 'No' / didn't vote.

A union stands or falls by the willingness of its members to support each other and especially to support actions which have been balloted. The ballot provided a very clear mandate that the Union should include strike action to lend weight to the negotiations to resolve this issue. You have a duty to support this action.

I can't afford to strike

If the current proposals are put in place then some members could be losing the equivalent of a day's pay every 6 weeks for the rest of their working lives. This is why we need to take action now to give a clear indication that we do not think that the proposals are fair. If you cannot afford to support the strike, come and speak with a union rep. as we'll be able to offer help, support and advice.

I'm not a member, but I wish I could sign up and join this campaign

You can - just ask us for a form and you're a member from the moment you sign it - being a member means that you can support the pensions campaign immediately - and that includes taking industrial action.

There's no public support for this

There's very wide public support for the action. Many people took part on 30th November and, locally, a march through the city was applauded by many people spectating.

There's also 'Divide and conquer' publicity against this Union campaign, but we're not interested in a purely profit driven 'Race to the bottom'.

A newspaper headline said the Unions are 'Hell bent on striking'.

No. The threat of a strike is a tool that lends power to negotiators. Union members feel strongly enough about this to strike - people who work have very few negotiating options available to them, one option is to withdraw their labour.

The accusation that public sector pensions are gold plated, is this true?

Public sector pensions are not 'Gold plated'. Private sector pensions are certainly sometimes worse, this should be tackled by improving some working conditions in the private sector, not by dragging everyone down to the same level.

On the day

Should more industrial action be called, you should follow your union's instructions - including requests to withdraw your labour for the day. If that is the case, you should not come to work:

Notice to strike

You should not give advance notice to the University that you intend to strike. A strike is intended to be disruptive, you should not be put in a position of helping plan to minimise that disruption. We hope that anyone managing you will understand this - just as your manager is entitled to ask you if you intend to strike, you're entitled to decline to answer. If pressure is put on you to work through the strike or to provide information as to whether or not you will strike, speak to us.

Duties

You should not attempt to mitigate the effects of the strike by undertaking extra work, or the work of colleagues who are on strike.

Annual leave

If you take annual leave, your employer will not regard you as having been on strike - but neither will your Union.

Sick leave

If you are unfortunate enough to be ill for the day of the strike, your Union will not regard you as having supported the strike - but will support you in the unlikely case that an employer accused you of malingering. We would not expect the University to take such a line with its staff.

Pay

By striking you withdraw your labour: it is the University's choice as to whether or not they deduct a day's pay from you but they are perfectly justified in making such a deduction - and in the past have interpreted 'Day' to deduct the maximum amount.

Picketing

The Unions will picket University sites as the law allows. We need members help with this to help with this duty, if so, get in touch - use our contact form.

Demonstrations

Should this dispute continue, there will be more demonstrations in many towns and cities, be prepared to lend your weight to one of those.

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