What is the PEA Picket Pay Policy?

PEA picket pay is a salary and benefits reimbursement of up to $150 per day. This applies to members who lose earnings as a result of honouring another union's picket line.

Members receive up to $150 a day for each day that they are unable to work because of picket lines.

The PEA will ensure members' health and welfare benefits continue if PEA members face a picket line. The cost of this will be deducted from the total picket pay. 

Members cannot make more money from picket pay than they would otherwise make at work.

If a member makes $200 a day at work, they will receive the full $150 a day, minus the cost of benefits.

Are Part-time and Auxiliary/Term/Casual members eligible?

All members, regardless of whether they are full-time regular, part-time regular or auxiliary/term employees, are eligible for picket pay. It is important to note that picket pay will not exceed the amount of pay a member would otherwise have earned. In other words, if the picket pay amount approved by the PEA Executive is greater than the amount of their normal take-home pay, then the member's picket pay would be adjusted to be no more than their typical take-home pay.

Is picket pay taxable?

No. Picket pay is tax-free.

What forms do I need to fill out to get paid?

If you are unable to work because of a picket line, fill out Form A: Strike Pay Reimbursement (below) and email it to mjoly@pea.org

How long will it take to get paid after I submit Form A?

The PEA will process picket pay forms in the order they are received. The PEA will make every effort so that Members will receive payment within three weeks.

Who is eligible for picket pay?

To qualify for picket pay, a member must be in good standing. This means that the member has signed a PEA membership application form and is paying union dues to the PEA.

If members are not sure that they have signed a membership application form, they should contact the PEA office. New employees who have not completed a membership application should contact the PEA office immediately.

Can I appeal my picket pay?

Members have the right to appeal to the PEA Executive regarding their picket pay eligibility.
If there are still questions unanswered about picket pay eligibility, feel free to go to the PEA website and look up the PEA Job Action Manual or contact the PEA Office.

Which days am I eligible to receive picket pay for?

You will receive picket pay for each day you are scheduled to work. IE if you are scheduled to work on a Saturday, and a picket line is in place, you will receive picket pay.

How will I be paid?

We will pay our members via direct deposit.

What is a picket line?

A picket line is a form of job action. It is a boundary established by workers on strike, especially at the entrance to the place of work, which others are asked not to cross.

How much notice does a union have to give before a picket line is put up?

A union must give 72-hour strike notice to establish a picket line.

Can I cross a picket line?

Members cannot be compelled to cross a picket line. The PEA strongly encourages members to respect and not to cross other unions' picket lines. Crossing a picket lines impacts the potential effectiveness of job action for a union (i.e. could extend the job action) and can lead to long term relationship issues in the workplace between members of the same and other unions.

Can I work from home?

Members who work from home are, in essence, crossing a picket line virtually. The PEA encourages members not to work from home if they are facing picket lines. Working from home undermines a picket line in the same way that physically crossing does. It minimizes a union's essential tool of withholding labour and impacts the effectiveness of the striking union. It could lead to a more prolonged strike by reducing the pressure on the employer.

What do I do for the day if there is a picket line at my building?

Go home, or support the picket line (i.e. walk the picket line with striking members, provide verbal and other forms of support for them, etc.).

What are essential services?

The BC Labour Relations Code requires employers and unions to maintain certain essential services to the public when job action is undertaken in a labour dispute. Essential services are those related to the health, safety or welfare of British Columbia residents.

Will I be paid if I am deemed an essential service?

Your employer will pay you if you have been deemed an essential service, and you work during the strike.

What are picket passes?

• Those individuals designated an essential service will be issued a picket pass. This allows you to pass the picket line and prevents any confusion with strikers.

What about my benefits?

Under the Labour Relations Code, employers must continue to provide benefits as long as the union will pay employee premiums. If benefits were continued, the union would deduct the costs from strike pay.

What if I have medical concerns?

Members who are not able to picket because of medical concerns are asked to contact the PEA office, as there may be other duties that can be performed.

What if I am on parental leave?

You will continue to receive your benefits from Employment Insurance (EI) if you are on maternity leave during a strike. You may still sign up for picket duty and collect strike pay; however, be aware that this may affect your EI pay.

What if I am on WCB, EI, STD or LTD?

If a member is on a leave when the strike commences (e.g. sick leave, vacation leave, Workers’ Compensation leave, long-term disability leave, or other approved leave), the leave continues for its duration.

What if I am on probation?

If you are on probation during a strike, it may be extended for the length of the strike.

What if I am scheduled to be on vacation?

Individual situations where vacations were pre-scheduled will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis.