What More Befitting of Labour Day than A Job Action?

What More Befitting of Labour Day than a Job Action?

Unless you’re up to your eyeballs in preparations for the first week of classes, because you’ve just received your Term contract or your expected work assignment has been changed at the last minute, you’re probably looking forward to enjoying the long weekend. However, Labour Day only exists because workers before us organized, took risks, and stood together on picket lines to demand fairness. It’s a day that reminds us that every right we enjoy today, like weekends, sick leave, pensions, and workplace safety, was won because workers refused to back down. So what could be more fitting on Labour Day than to remember the power of job action and the importance of respecting a picket line?

A Strong Strike Vote Means Workers are United

BCGEU’s strike vote was 93% in favour of going on strike, with 86% of members voting. That’s a whole lot of workers ready to fight for a fair wage and better working conditions. Employers look for cracks in membership support. A strong vote tells them: we’re together, we’re serious, and we won’t be divided. That unity is a union’s greatest strength.

However, solidarity among ALL workers is where the real power lies.

Picket Lines Are Sacred

When another union is on strike, their picket line is more than just a line on the pavement—it is a line of solidarity. Respecting it is one of the most powerful ways we can stand with fellow workers. Our CCFA Collective Agreement is clear: “All Employees covered by the Agreement have the right to refuse to cross a picket line arising out of a labour dispute.”

That right is a shield. If you refuse to cross, you cannot be disciplined. While you won’t be paid for that time, you are honouring one of the most important traditions of the labour movement: SOLIDARITY.

Why Respecting the Line Matters

• It’s How Workers Win: A picket line is the frontline of a struggle for better wages, conditions, and dignity. By refusing to cross, we help keep that line strong.
• It’s About Respect: Striking workers are often making great sacrifices. To cross a line is to undermine their courage and determination.
• It’s About All of Us: When one union wins, it sets a precedent that benefits every unionized worker. When one loses, employers across the sector take note.

What To Do if You Encounter a Line

• Don’t Cross. This is your legal right.
• Let Your Dean and the Union Know. Protect yourself and keep us in the loop.
• Show Solidarity. Join the line, bring coffee, or share their message. Small acts mean a lot.

Maybe you remember when our own CUPE 2081 went on strike in 2012 for “a fair and reasonable wage increase,” the last time the government offered workers a contract that started with a bunch of zeros (featured picture). Then, like now, the blame for the impasse can be squarely placed on the same BC Public Sector Bargaining Council practices that are responsible for this BCGEU strike and the one last round.

It’s unlikely to be an issue for us in this strike, but I recall when CUPE 2081 went on strike in 2012, faculty felt under pressure to “fill in the gaps” in services and continue working to minimize disruptions to students. We all feel a tremendous loyalty and commitment to our students, or we wouldn’t be here, and we wouldn’t be in this line of work. I get it. I also get it that there are some of us who absolutely cannot afford to lose a single day’s pay. But that’s also by design in the grand scheme.

Our good natures and shrinking resources are constantly being used against us. If nothing else, the Pandemic has taught us that our students experience greater harm from low economic resources, precarious employment, and housing unaffordability than from missing a few days of a term. I worry that our students and graduates are entering the job market with the highest-ever student debt, cost of living, and inflation. We all need to join the fight against the system that continues to keep wages stagnant in BC.

We all shared in the gains BCGEU made last time; they need our support now, more than ever!

The Spirit of Labour Day

Labour Day isn’t just a holiday—it’s a reminder that our rights exist because of the solidarity of those who came before us. Every time we respect a picket line, we carry that spirit forward.

Solidarity isn’t just about picket lines. Even if our BCGEU component isn’t the one striking, you can still help:

• Wear your CCFA T-shirt & post social media messages of support
• Share this post and other updates with friends and family
• Correct misinformation when you can
• Show up at rallies and support picket lines elsewhere on your own time
• Talk to students & allies about why they should also support striking workers

Every act of solidarity makes us stronger. This Labour Day, let’s celebrate by showing our support for striking BCGEU workers.

After all, what more befitting of Labour Day than a job action?