AS THOUSANDS of public servants began industrial action in protest at pay cuts, most of them adopted a work-to-rule approach as recommended by the various unions involved. Yet given that many of the employees affected came of age in a time when industrial disputes were a rare occurrence, how clear is the work-to-rule edict? Has a generation of Irish workers forgotten how to strike? asks FIONA McCANN
"I don't think anyone is clear yet on what it involves," says John, who works in higher education. He says last year's day of action revealed how inexperienced most of his colleagues were when it came to industrial action.
"A lot of people were very confused about how to act. They were confused about whether they should come in or not, or whether they should pass the picket. People had no experience of industrial action - we weren't sure what the etiquette was. Do you pass a picket? Is it bad form? Will your colleagues talk to you afterwards if you do?"
The answer appears that not only will they talk to you afterwards, but they will talk to you even as you cross it.
"In one area, quite a lot of people crossed the picket line, and the people who were on the picket line were chatting to people as they passed. But apparently in terms of strike etiquette, you're supposed to make it as uncomfortable as possible for people to cross the picket line, instead of wishing them a good day."
Yet John and his colleagues are not the only ones grappling with the requirements of industrial action. A number of posts on the topic on the internet bulletin board site boards.ie revealed similar uncertainties. "I saw the work-to-rule instructions for my place of work today," writes one registered user. "A group of us looked at them and decided that until someone explained them to us we would carry on as normal. There was very little sign of any instruction in my place of work, with people just scratching their heads as to what it was all about, even for those who are union members," adds another user.
Joe, a secondary school teacher, says that while the work-to-rule made clear the requirement to move all staff meetings and parent-teacher meetings so that they take place within school hours, there are other grey areas that have not yet been clarified. "It's the first time that I've actually had to do anything like this. We need to be told exactly what we are expected to do," he says. "We are clear about the staff meetings and parent-teacher meetings, but if we start back training, or a match after school, are we going to be vilified for that?"
Yet, despite an uncertainty about the process involved, he says most are supportive of the action. "People are fearful: if [ Brian Lenihan] has imposed the pension levy, he has imposed the pay cuts, what's he going to do next? He can't keep coming back and hitting us again and again. And that's why people are behind doing whatever is possible to stop that happening."
According to one member of the Public Service Executive Union, there is a feeling among some union members that the stated aim of getting the Government to roll back the cuts is unlikely to be met.
"They don't think they will get a reversal of the pay cut, but they are trying to make a case so that they are not cut again. My feeling is they probably accept what has happened, but they want to make sure that they don't come back for another slice later." Yet while his colleagues are broadly supportive of the action, they are not all clear about what it entails. "There is that element of wondering how to work it properly, or do it properly, but people will get used to that over the coming days, and people will know where they stand and what they should or shouldn't be doing."
Brian works for a local council in Co Clare, where employees are still getting used to the implications of industrial action. "This is a bedding-in process, so it will take another week or two before it really hits and people really know what it means."
Although the specifics may still be unclear to many, they are ready for a crash course on industrial action if it means getting the Government to pay attention to their dissatisfaction.
"There are some who think we should be doing a lot more, that the work to rule should be a lot stricter, more aggressive, going farther, instead of the softly, softly approach at the moment," says Brian. "Down here in Clare, there will be calls for stronger action."