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Another Union On Strike
The PEA strongly encourages members to respect other union picket lines.
PEA collective agreements typically contain a provision entitling members to respect picket lines, so members do not need to be concerned about disciplinary action from their employer.
Picket Pay — Members
Please see the column at the right for details about picket pay eligibility.
For individual members facing a picket line please complete both FORM A and the Direct Deposit Form and email to Jennifer Bond, Financial Officer.
Picket Pay
What is the PEA Picket Pay Policy?
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).
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 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 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?
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 jbond@pea.org. The Form A should be submitted by members impacted by job action on a weekly basis.
It is important that members provide a completed Authorization To Deposit Funds form to jbond@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 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 strike and picket pay eligibility. Members should submit any appeals to jbond@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 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. 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.
Facing a Picket Line
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?
Members who work from home when the PEA is putting up picket lines at their physical office location, are in essence, crossing a picket line virtually. The PEA strongly encourages members not to work from home if they are facing PEA or other 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 Employer will not pay workers where there is picket line at their workplace. A member who chooses to work from home would have to proactively contact the Employer and inform them that they had crossed the picket line and worked.
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.).
Essential Services
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.
