More and more workers across Canada have been forced onto the picket lines to defend their standard of living.

Management has locked out workers from coast to coast, demanding workers accept cuts in pay, benefits and pensions. Increasing inflation is also forcing workers to take strike action to keep up with the rising cost of living. Contract after contract, the bosses refuse to raise wages above inflation despite making billions in profits. This has forced workers to choose between living in poverty or standing up and fighting back.

But when workers find themselves on a picket line, they discover that the importance of their struggle is not well understood and respected. Often the public, and even sometimes workers, cross the pickets without understanding the terrible repercussions of this action. This lengthens strikes and leads to a race to the bottom where all working class people are worse off.

Right-wing governments, the corporate media, and the courts also do everything in their power to weaken and vilify locked out and striking workers. Corporations have even resorted to flying in scabs by helicopter to weaken the lines. Without the fundamental right to strike and picket we would have no labour movement today, and therefore it is essential we fight back against the weakening of picket lines.

To help workers win against these attacks we are launching a mass education campaign to say it is never ok to cross a picket line. Nobody takes the decision to walk a line without it being a serious undertaking. We need to educate fellow workers and the general public that everyone benefits from working class solidarity.

In addition to organizing a mass education campaign, we are also encouraging individuals, organizations, and unions to take a pledge to never cross a picket line without the explicit permission of the workers on that line. We are also encouraging organizations and unions to adopt a “no crossing” policy, that generalizes the best practices from the labour movement to build solidarity and win victory.

It is time to bring an end to weak and ineffective picket lines. Too many struggles have been lost by workers across this country. This is a campaign to say loud and clear: PICKET LINES MEAN DO NOT CROSS!

Sign the petition if you agree, share it with friends and here are some ways you can get involved afterwards:

1. Join our Facebook group, Instagram page for news, lively discussions and updates! Our Linktree site has links to all of them and more: https://linktr.ee/picketscampaign 

2. Join one of our 3 committee to spread the education campaign and build worker solidarity!

A. Flying Picket Committee: Work with a team to bring the campaign to the picket lines of workers who are locked out or on strike.

B. Research Committee: Work with a team to research the best contract language and lessons from across the country into the campaign. This way workers can access the same best practises and principles.

C. Outreach Committee: Help bring the campaign to your union local or organization. Work with a team to find ways to build our numbers and spread the message.

To join a committee or if you have other questions or suggestions contact us at: PicketLinesMeanDoNotCross@gmail.com