Hell No! We won’t Go!!!

Industrial actions, strikes, sit ins, blockades, pickets… all part of our legal right and freedom of speech...

Unions and people regularly stage industrial action and strike when negotiations break down to create maximum disturbance, disruption, inconvenience, noise and cost to make a show of their stubbornness, and unwillingness to be pushed around, taken for granted and taken for a ride, and most of all to show their steadfastness towards their cause.

Industrial action is staged for any number of causes, ranging from abortion to refugee detention, pay rises to unfair dismissals, company restructures to worker’s entitlements and conditions, and the list goes on and on…

On the most part, most actions of industrial action are staged for the greater good of the people involved, though occasionally they may be for selfish gain. At other times, when the issue at stake is an ethical one, it is very hard to draw a line in the sand as to which side to support.

What is a Christian’s response to industrial action? How are we to approach it?

Why am I blogging about this subject????

I’m trying work through this issue, and am using this post as a medium for working through my thoughts to hopefully come to a conclusion… so please bear with me while I ramble around a bit…

My work is facing the threat of potential industrial action in Victoria tomorrow. We were warned about this yesterday, and more details were communicated to us this afternoon. The reason for the potential action is regarding their Enterprise Bargaining Agreements and Workplace Arrangements. Nothing sinister, selfish, ethically or morally wrong. Indeed in fact it is a cause that I do support, as it will have future ramifications for my workplace here in NSW.

However, the issue becomes complicated because the workload from Victoria will have to be forwarded to us here to ensure minimal loss of product. This is understandable being the nature of the work and industry that I’m in. However, because we here in NSW do support the cause that the Victorian’s are fighting for, people here are considering boycotting Victoria’s workload in a stand of support and solidarity for our counterparts. For if we were to comply and take on their workload for the day, it would not be sending a message to the powers that be of strength, solidarity, and support for their cause and a desire to ensure that the same does not happen to us. And the Victorians will not achieve their desire to cause the most disruption and chaos to make their point clear.

My dilemma is that I know that if we don’t take on Victoria’s workload, that we will lose a substantial amount of product that may potentially save many lives. However, I also know that if I do volunteer to continue working, that in the future it may viewed as me being impartial to the EBA issues, potentially making myself an easy target to be shafted. And finally my Christian mindset is telling me that I should respect the authorities placed over me.

“Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you. For he is God's servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God's servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience. This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God's servants, who give their full time to governing. Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.” – Romans 13:1-7

I don’t know what to do. I want to show support for my counterparts in Victoria, but to do that is to boycott their workload and go against managerial directives, which is itself a direct rebellion to the above passage. Lastly, I know that to boycott the workload is to place potentially hundreds of lives at risk.

“Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.” – Philippians 1:27

“Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.” – 1 Peter 2:12

Then the other question is in either decision how do I conduct myself in a manner worthy of the Gospel?

If I support my Victorian counterparts and boycott the workload, it will be viewed as a direct rebellion against my managers. Not a good Christian witness. If I am the only one to volunteer to do the work, it will be viewed as selfish, heartless and uncaring for my counterparts. Again, not necessarily a good Christian witness either.

Tough choices… It’s hard because it’s such a grey issue. If it were a situation where I worked for a financial institution, or construction company or something where the lives of patients and customers weren’t at risk, I’d probably have an easier decision to make whether or not to support the industrial action. But as it is, I don’t, and so I’m thinking that I will submit to my superiors.

My job is to test the work that I am given. I’m not paid to worry about EBA in other states. My first priority is to ensure that my company is able to produce sufficient products each day to provide the service to the patients and community that we are obligated to provide. And so because of this, I am going to continue my work, to ensure that lives are not put at risk.

But I’m still not sure how best to approach the situation. Not sure how to best conduct myself in a manner worthy of the Gospel. This will require much godly guidance and wisdom. If you are reading this today, please pray for me and this situation. That whatever happens, that I may conduct myself in a godly manner, and not bring the name of God into disrepute, but that rather somehow, His name may be glorified and exalted.

I’m praying and hoping that this strike will be averted. Will make my life sooo much easier and help me avoid making a tough decision!!!

“Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.” – 1 Peter 2:12

Oh it’s tough to live as a Christian!!!

But this verse I will meditate on all day today…

“And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 4:7

Detur Gloria Soli Deo
(Glory be to God alone)