Would you cross a union picket line?

[Oakie]

Let me say at the start that I used to be a union member when I started work (because it was compulsary probably). I have been a branch president and then a Secretary for a short time before leaving that employer. Since then I have not been a union member although was part of a 'Staff Committee' for a while as we negotiated some stuff in an employer (in a cooperative and productive manner it must be said).

About that time (20 years ago) I became annoyed with unions because of blatant lying I saw over 2 negotiation cycles. First time around they refused to negotiate with the employer alongside our staff committee. Their right I guess so we negotiated separately and our little employee group achieved a lot more than the Union. Next time around at a pre negotiation meeting the union invited us to, their negotiator speechified about how management had refused to negotiate with both parties together last time and that we must "go forward together". Utter bullshit of course. So we sat in the same room and did our thing but the stuff that union reported back to their members would have made you think they were in a different meeting.

Fast forward to about 2004 and a union was picketing my new employer. Basically our 500 odd staff were on $16 to $19 and hour with 3 'special' staff on about $10.50 for some reason. Signs carried by picketers said that we pay all our staff $10.50 and the dishonesty of that really made me angry.

So I'll get to the point. Bunnings workers picketing. They did it here at my local in Christchurch and made their point without impeding anyone so I tolerated it when I went to get some stuff. They did it in Auckland and made some human barricade and stopped people going into do their shopping and my blood boiled at that. I'm a mild mannered guy but if anyone put their hands on me to stop me going about my legal business in that manner I really think I'd use the small amount of Aikido we were taught at work and probably break or dislocate whatever body part they touch me with.

So what say you good KBers. Do you respect someone else's picket line regardless or would you try to cross to go about your business ... and what do you do if you are impeded?

[J.A.W.]

Let me say at the start that I used to be a union member when I started work (because it was compulsary probably). I have been a branch president and then a Secretary for a short time before leaving that employer. Since then I have not been a union member although was part of a 'Staff Committee' for a while as we negotiated some stuff in an employer (in a cooperative and productive manner it must be said).

About that time (20 years ago) I became annoyed with unions because of blatant lying I saw over 2 negotiation cycles. First time around they refused to negotiate with the employer alongside our staff committee. Their right I guess so we negotiated separately and our little employee group achieved a lot more than the Union. Next time around at a pre negotiation meeting the union invited us to, their negotiator speechified about how management had refused to negotiate with both parties together last time and that we must "go forward together". Utter bullshit of course. So we sat in the same room and did our thing but the stuff that union reported back to their members would have made you think they were in a different meeting.

Fast forward to about 2004 and a union was picketing my new employer. Basically our 500 odd staff were on $16 to $19 and hour with 3 'special' staff on about $10.50 for some reason. Signs carried by picketers said that we pay all our staff $10.50 and the dishonesty of that really made me angry.

So I'll get to the point. Bunnings workers picketing. They did it here at my local in Christchurchand and made their point without impeding anyone so I tolerated it when I went to get some stuff. They did it in Auckland and made some human barricade and stopped people going into do their shopping and my blood boiled at that. I'm a mild mannered guy but if anyone put their hands on me to stop me going about my legal business in that manner I really think I'd use the small amount of Aikido we were taught at work and probably break or dislocate whatever body part they touch me with.

So what say you good KBers. Do you respect someone else's picket line regardless or would you try to cross to go about yout business ... and what do you do if you are impeded?

Aikido exponent eh? Ohh.. AFAIR, from doing that MA back in the day - as a form of Rugby skills training - you aint s'posed to play fast & loose with them skills..

Tell ya what though, if it was me in the picket line you tried it on with, I'd make sure it was up on youtube, before we called the ambos for ya.. L.O.L....

[Oakie]

Aikido exponent eh? .

Exponent? No. Just know a few basic moves to divert someone who comes at me.

[bogan]

It would depend entirely on if I thought their cause was justified...

In this case, it's not so much.

[Mike.Gayner]

Tell ya what though, if it was me in the picket line you tried it on with, I'd make sure it was up on youtube, before we called the ambos for ya.. L.O.L....

LOL everyone look at this guy. Just look.

[J.A.W.]

LOL everyone look at this guy. Just look.

I s'pose that'll be what you - shriek out non-stop during the gay parade, is it then, eh.. Mikey-boy?

[bogan]

Tell ya what though, if it was me in the picket line you tried it on with, I'd make sure it was up on youtube, before we called the ambos for ya.. L.O.L....

I don't think a picket point has quite the same ring to it, or effect, though.

[J.A.W.]

I don't think a picket point has quite the same ring to it, or effect, though.

Well ol' Clunk-O-Bot might clear a path.. but I doubt if its built to a sufficient quality to generate a ring to it - when it topples into a ruck..

[willytheekid]

...dont mind me

[Woodman]

Depends if I supported their cause or not, and fuck off jaw.

[Akzle]

fucken scab

[caspernz]

No I won't cross a picket line. Have worked in both unionised and non-unionised firms on three continents. Now I won't ever claim that unions are perfect, but having been exposed to the sneaky tactics employed by big corporates to de-unionise a workplace...I'll keep my union card thanks. Especially when working in a sizeable outfit where the boss doesn't know my name

[J.A.W.]

Depends if I supported their cause or not, and fuck off jaw.

Classic fantasy BS from Woodduck..

Somehow, I think I'd quite enjoy the opportunity to help him - to make his decision, (& try & make me F-O).. L.O.L...

[Motu]

If I saw a picket line at Bunnings I'd go to Mitre 10, they are always withing range of each other in location and price.

[Madness]

What they showed of the Auckland protest on the box it looked more like rent-a-crowd than actual affected workers. Passing a picket line to buy some weedkiller or polyfilla is a bit different to passing a picket line to take the job of the people taking action. Fuck 'em.