Early April Fools joke had me in stitches.

[EternalOptimist]

I was contracting in the HSC place in Leeds and half the site was on strike. They tried to turn the other half away at the picket line. One Union guy went further than persuasion though and physically blocked me from entering, so I shoved the turd out of the way.

[doodab]

edit: I guess everyone will say it's obvious you carry on; but what if the client would rather you didn't, for one reason or another?

Then give them what they want and bill them for it.

[Xenophon]

If the client would rather I'm not at their premises, then I won't be. Whatever they wish, they're paying for my time.

But contractors voting to strike like they belong to some kind of contractors union or something (as per that news story). I'm horrified.

Xenophon, can you call the nurse again...

Nurse...!!!

[beercohol]

edit: I guess everyone will say it's obvious you carry on; but what if the client would rather you didn't, for one reason or another?

If the client would rather I'm not at their premises, then I won't be. Whatever they wish, they're paying for my time.

But contractors voting to strike like they belong to some kind of contractors union or something (as per that news story). I'm horrified.

Xenophon, can you call the nurse again...

[adestor]

When I was contracting at Companies House they had a few strikes over pensions. I just walked through the picket line as it's not my battle. And time is money.

[Bunk]

For Pete's sake, I'm not _that_ stupid!

I meant what if you are contracting at a client site and all the permies walk out. Do you black-leg it and carry on, or (reluctantly) not turn up yourself?

And what happens if your work becomes impossible due to the lazy flippers walking out? Would you carry on billing for doing nothing or just kick the tulip out of them for costing you money?

[OwlHoot]

Surely a strike is when you have an issue with your employer. I've never had an issue with mine as I'm great to me. ...

For Pete's sake, I'm not _that_ stupid!

I meant what if you are contracting at a client site and all the permies walk out. Do you black-leg it and carry on, or (reluctantly) not turn up yourself?

edit: I guess everyone will say it's obvious you carry on; but what if the client would rather you didn't, for one reason or another?

[Bunk]

Surely a strike is when you have an issue with your employer. I've never had an issue with mine as I'm great to me.

I'm not. I pay myself peanuts

[cojak]

Surely a strike is when you have an issue with your employer. I've never had an issue with mine as I'm great to me.

Just go in an bill as normal

WHS

Contractor's value is confirmed in this kind of a situation (on both sides )

Just make sure you don't wear your best suit on those occasions...

[BoredBloke]

Good grief, he's right too.

Siemens and Red Bee Media between them run much of the BBC's IT.

When contracting at the Beeb I sometimes wondered how one should deal with a strike, i.e. whether to turn up or not. Anyone been in this situation as a contractor?

Surely a strike is when you have an issue with your employer. I've never had an issue with mine as I'm great to me.

Just go in an bill as normal

[OwlHoot]

Good grief, he's right too.

Siemens and Red Bee Media between them run much of the BBC's IT.

When contracting at the Beeb I sometimes wondered how one should deal with a strike, i.e. whether to turn up or not. Anyone been in this situation as a contractor?

[Xenophon]

Nurse...

[beercohol]

BBC’s IT contractors urged to strike - see CUK news today.

Of course, it was written like it was serious, but I was onto it before the end of the first paragraph. Can you imagine? NO, OF COURSE NOT!

Then laugh! I SAID LAUGH. It can ONLY be a joke.

Or am I the only contractor left? You've all been..... taken?