Crossing a Picket Line

[LibbyTreehugger]

Hello guys and gals. Long time lurker..

Not sure if this is the correct forum for this, but you all seem like a friendly bunch.

I apologize in advance as I'm going to be long winded, I'm sure (not enough coffee yet)

Anywho, I work as an account manager for a certain brand of products within Giant food stores (Stop & Shop for your guys further north) I've heard unless something major happens over the weekend that Stop & Shop is proceeding to strike on Monday..

Giant Landover's meeting is next week, in which they would presumably follow suit to strike.

I've never had to encounter a situation in which the accounts I work in would be on strike. I would never cross a picket line in the first place, but especially not one amongst "my friends" at the stores.

And the real kicker is in a few of my accounts I have blood relatives, including my own mother working.

I have no idea what to do. I work for a company of about 15 (non-union, no benefits 5+ years later) and my husband is currently out of a job. We have 3 little boys, and barely squeak by every month.

I know we can't afford for me to be fired for refusal to cross, but I just can't do it... Especially with my own family potentially striking.


I'm just so stressed out!



(And although my boss would understand, as she knows I have family working in the stores, I have a territory I manage within the state, not near the main office, so there would be no one to cover me during a strike, we're already down 1 of the four account managers)

[Thinkingabout]

1. First ask yourself why this picket line is in place, is there a union negotiating for

better benefits for your family, are there contracts in place under which you are currently enjoying and what is the union asking for in negotiating. You must remember many are struggling everyday to financially make it every week and it is not easy but the union is only as strong as the members, the weakest links softens the ability for the union to accomplish the greatest results of their negotiating. If you are happy not making as much money, want to have less benefits and are happy being treated with less than proper respect then you just may be working in a place where union members stand together for everyone working.

[LibbyTreehugger]

2. I am a non-union worker.

I fully support the union, and fully support my friends and family in the stores. That's the issue.

My dilemma is crossing it in the first place. I know I'm the sole bread winner right now, and we can't afford for me to be fired, but in my heart, I can't cross. I fully support them. I'm so torn

[Cirque du So-What]

8. Nice rant

but it would have benefited from reading the OP to the point of comprehension, in which the words 'account manager' and 'non-union' *should* have gently directed your response toward the reality of her situation.

[dembotoz]

3. i don't walk in your shoes-do what you gotta do

can the accounts be handled over the phone
email

what do your relatives say

good luck

sounds as though your employment alternatives are limited or you would have done something already.
don't envy you.

[LibbyTreehugger]

4. No I work in the stores

Our contract says that I have full control over inventory/orders, so there for I would personally have to be in the store to do that.. I also do the merchandising, Training/workshops with the employees ( Ugh, that would be very hard for me to do with the replacement workers..) and multiple other things
I'm in these stores 6-7 days a week.

My family, and "co-workers" at the stores empathize. They know our home financial situation, but it's against everything I believe in.

I've been on the look out for another job.. had a few interviews but nothing super promising so far.

[seveneyes]

5. Family and survival

Solidarity is good and you do what you have to for the survival and health of your family.

[JaneyVee]

6. I wouldn't, but then again, I'm a union member and am mostly protected from firing

For such a situation.

[Cirque du So-What]

7. I can't presume to tell you what to do; I can only give my opinion

Let me preface my statement with the admission that I was a union member for nearly 20 years. During that time, I experienced and participated in one strike, which lasted nearly three months, that occurred when contract negotiations broke down. It was a facility with over 1,000 hourly (union employees) in a small-town setting, so there were numerous instances where friends, siblings, parents and their children - even husbands and wives - found themselves on opposing sides of the picket line. I was in a good position to hear about occasions of familial strife - if there were any - but no such tales found their way onto the gossip circuit. It was generally accepted that people had to play the roles associated with their respective positions. Criticism came from some strikers, but pressure from union leadership was brought to bear against retribution of any sort.

Even though I have sympathy for strikers and believe 'sympathy strikes' are effective and logical in some cases - especially when other local unions join in support of one striking local - yours would be an especially futile gesture. Your refusal to cross the line would have zero effect on store operations and your position is far-removed from the work performed by union members. Far removed. I believe there may be 1 in 100 union members who resent your job, but that the rest will understand.

[LibbyTreehugger]

9. I appreciate your opinion

I know refusing to cross the line doesn't actually "do anything".. and I know I have a lot to lose, but just the thought of crossing the picket line my own mother is standing on is extremely hard.

Sigh.

[Cirque du So-What]

10. Yes, I see where it's tough for you

Perhaps you could start a conversation with your mother and any other relatives or close friends beforehand, letting them know how distressing the possibility of crossing a line would be for you. I'm confident you'll see that they understand.

[surrealAmerican]

11. If I were in your place ...

... instead of asking random strangers like us, I would ask my mother and/or other friends and relatives who would be striking. Their opinions matter more than ours.

[leftstreet]

12. You shouldn't be struggling with this. Your bosses should

Crossing a picket line helps no one

Let your bosses come to DU and discuss their angst at the prospect of an interrupted flow in profits

[roody]

13. Can you take a few days vacation time

or leave?

[LibbyTreehugger]

14. Ha

I have no sick days/vacation time.

Although I've only missed work twice in over 5 years. The initial day my oldest son broke his jaw, and the day I broke my foot. I went to work for 6 weeks on a knee scooter.

[OffWithTheirHeads]

15. Weather you cross the line or not will have no effect on the final

Outcome of the negotiations. You are not in that union or any union for that matter which is a shame because if you were a union member you would be protected for refusing to cross the line. You are not going in as a replacment worker, mearly as a vendor. Since you are currently the sole breadwinner for your family you need to do what is best for your immediate family. Your heart is obviously in the right place and you can be far more effective for the cause if you and yours are fed, clothed and sheltered. It will not help anybody if you become jobless and have to spend all your time worrying about where your next meal is going to come from. That said, I would talk to your boss and your family and tell them how you feel. I think they will understand. If you are forced to train replacment workers though, I would do a real shitty job at that. Train em to fuck things up.

I say this as a proud member of Sheet Metal Workers local 104 since 1968. Good luck to you and keep us posted.

[LibbyTreehugger]

16. Thank you

I know I have to look out for my children first, and I know my family and friends understand. I guess if they do strike and I do have to work I will use back doors. I would hate to see the workers face to face as I'm 100% on their side.

As for training replacements.. yeah I have no idea how I'm gonna handle that one. I don't wanna get in trouble with my boss for not doing my job well, but I sure as hell don't want to train their replacements.