If it's a choice between getting money and being shunned by the Irish, I know what I'd choose.

Are you Thierry Henry?

Is there a secret way in?

Fella, it is the headquarters of the police force.

I could always get bundled into the back of a police van.

Don't expect this to blow over once the strike is done. Expect that you will always -- I mean that literally -- be known as a scab, regardless of how good you think your motivations are. Expect that decades from now, even if everyone you currently work with leaves, your reputation will follow you. Expect that old men on their deathbeds will remember your name and what you did. Fair or not, those are things that you should expect.

My one and only experience of any of this was a long time ago when i worked tech support for a college and the lecturers and some of the other unions were on strike.

I was not part of the union and had been told before that if i didnt show up then i would be docked a days pay so i turned up , it helped that it was early so there was virtually no-one there , however there one person on the gate i went in and they stopped the cars , asked if the person inside would not consider not going in and then let them go in.

There were much larger groups (larger generally equals lots more potential for trouble) later when it got closer to the start of the college day but no real problems - so my only other suggestion is that if you are going in then turn up for work early and you may find there are less people to block you.

I remember the students' union holding a strike ('how would we tell?' etc etc). I deliberately showed up to lecture hall that morning for the pleasure of crossing the OUSU picket line, but there wasn't one, and the lecturer had decided to cancel it anywhere. Oh well.

Maybe it's worth talking to her, then.

"FYI, as I'm not in your union, and can't join it, I'm rather obliged to come into work that day. That won't be an issue, will it?"

Maybe it's worth talking to her, then.

"FYI, as I'm not in your union, and can't join it, I'm rather obliged to come into work that day. That won't be an issue, will it?"

Yes, but don't forget to add "... so it won't!' at the end of that sentence, just for that endearing, disarming common touch. Sure fire winner!

.. to be sure ..

Not perhaps a major point here, but crossing a picket line is in no way a moral issue. You have clearly been brainwashed by Scargill and the dayglo shoulderpatches on his donkeyjacket.

Also, carry a pig under your arm and dress all in green, for authenticism.

I'm old skool when it comes to workers vs management.

could you not go in fancy dress as a scab, and if they start chanting it just pretend there cheering you on?

could you not go in fancy dress as a scab, and if they start chanting it just pretend there cheering you on?

Turn up in a top hat with a gold sceptre, and bludgeon one of them a bit.

They'll think I'm a rather tall leprechaun and try to steal me gold lucky charms.

There are more working days left between no and Xmas