What is the PEA Strike Pay and Picket Pay Policy?

PEA strike pay is a salary and benefits reimbursement of up to $150 per day when the PEA goes on strike and members join the job action.

Picket pay is a salary and benefits reimbursement of up to $150 per day when members lose earnings as a result of honouring another union's picket line (i.e. picket pay).

In both cases, the PEA will ensure members' health and welfare benefits continue. The cost of this will be deducted from the total strike or picket pay. 

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

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 strike pay or picket pay. It is important to note that strike or picket pay will not exceed the amount of pay a member would otherwise have earned. In other words, if the strike or picket pay amount approved by the PEA Executive is greater than the amount of their normal take-home pay, then the member's strike or picket pay would be adjusted to be no more than their typical take-home pay.

Is strike pay taxable?

Strike and picket pay is tax-free.

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

If you are unable to work because of another union’s or a PEA picket line, fill out Form A: Application Picket/Strike Pay (below) and email it to mjoly@pea.org.  The Form A should be submitted by members impacted by job action on a weekly basis.

If the PEA is on strike, then PEA Picket Captains will also submit members’ hours completed on the picket line on the Form B Claim for -Strike Pay Picket Captain Report.

It is important that members provide a completed Authorization To Deposit Funds form to mjoly@pea.org and voided cheque when that is requested.

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

The PEA will process 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 strike and picket pay?

To qualify for strike and 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 strike or picket pay?

Members have the right to appeal to the PEA Executive regarding their strike and picket pay eligibility.  Members should submit any appeals to mjoly@pea.org. If there are still questions unanswered about 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 strike or picket pay for?

You will receive strike or picket pay for each day you lose wages as the result of a strike. In the case of a PEA strike members would be expected to participate in the strike i.e., picketing for four hours per day. In the event that you are unable to picket due to illness and are not receiving STIIP from the employer please email mjoly@pea.org and attach your completed Form A: Application for Picket/Strike Pay. 

How will I be paid?

We will pay our members via direct deposit. Members should ensure that they have forwarded a completed a direct deposit form (Authorization to Deposit Funds) and supplied a void cheque (or similar) in order to be paid. 

How often will I be paid?

The PEA will process strike pay when it receives the “Picket Captain’s Report” and the “Application for Picket Line/Strike pay”.  The PEA office will endeavour to send payment to members within three weeks of receiving these forms.  It is critical for members to ensure the PEA has updated membership contact information and necessary banking information for payment by direct deposit.

How can I receive my strike or picket pay in a timely fashion?

It is critical that members provide the PEA with their current address, phone numbers and any other requested information.  Members should also ensure that the  Picket Captain is aware of each completed shift of picketing. Members can review their home address and other information on file online at pea.org/user. Members should ensure that they have forwarded to mjoly@pea.org a completed a direct deposit form (Authorization to Deposit Funds) and supplied a void cheque (or similar) in order to be paid. 

Members must also submit a signed Form A – Application for Picket Line/Strike Pay on at least a weekly basis to mjoly@pea.org.

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?

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.  All PEA members are strongly encouraged to join all PEA job action and picket lines at their workplace.

Can I work from home if there is job action?

Members who work from home when there are picket lines at their physical office location are crossing a picket line. The PEA strongly encourages members not to work from home if they are facing PEA or another union’s picket lines at their physical office location. Working from home undermines a picket line in the same way that physically crossing it 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.

The default is that the Employer will not pay members when there is picket line at their physical office location. A member who chooses to work from home would have to contact the Employer and inform them that they had crossed the picket line and worked from home in order to be paid.

What happens if my workplace is going to have PEA picket lines?

You will be contacted by a PEA strike committee member in advance of the strike and given instructions on where and when you should report for picket line duty.  You must complete picket line or other strike support duties to receive strike pay.

Do I have to carry out picket line duty if I work remotely?

Members who work remotely will be required to carry out picket line duty at the assigned physical location to receive strike pay.

What if a member of the public wants access to the building that I am picketing?

Allow any member of the public to enter the building. There may be leaflets that you can provide to the public for their information.

What if the media wants to interview me?

Do not engage the media. Refer them to the PEA Communications Officer or a designated media spokesperson.

What do I do if a member of the public gets into an argument with a member?

Do not engage the member of the public. Call the Picket Captain for assistance.

If I am in an excluded (management) position on a temporary assignment, can I join the picket line?

No.  Members in excluded positions should refrain from joining in PEA job action. They have a duty to the employer based on their excluded status for the duration of the temporary assignment.

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. Section 72(2) of the Labour Relations Code defines essential services as “facilities, productions and services” that are “necessary or essential to prevent immediate and serious danger to the health, safety or welfare of the residents of British Columbia.” 

Essential services serve two goals: (1) avoiding immediate and serious danger to the health, safety or welfare of British Columbia; and (2) protecting the meaningful nature of collective bargaining and strike action.

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 members on the picket line.

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 are continued, the PEA deducts the costs from strike pay. 

Do my Pension Contributions continue if I am on strike?

No pension contributions do not continue.

What if I have medical concerns and cannot carry out picket line duty?

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

What if I am on probation?

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