PICKET LINES

If you arrive at a jobsite and see a picket line, take a moment to stop and assess the situation. A picket line means that workers are standing together over an issue involving working conditions, fairness, or contract rights. As a union, we strongly believe in solidarity, and I recommend that you do not cross the picket line. As a good Union member doesn’t cross picket lines. 

Being a good union member means understanding that our strength comes from looking out for one another. It’s about respect, professionalism, and supporting the collective effort that helps protect wages, benefits, and working conditions for everyone. Honoring a picket line is one of the ways union members show their support, even when it may be inconvenient.

That said, it’s also important to be clear and honest: I cannot tell you what to do. The decision is yours. My role is to provide guidance, explain the importance of solidarity, and make sure you understand how your choices can impact your fellow members and the union as a whole.

If you do encounter a picket line, the recommended course of action is to stop work and contact your Business Agent or union representative as soon as possible. Let them know the jobsite location, the contractor involved, and what information is posted on the picket signs. Avoid confrontations, arguments, or discussions at the site—remain calm, respectful, and professional.

At the end of the day, the rights and standards we enjoy today didn’t come easy. They were earned because members before us stood together and supported one another. While the choice is always yours, respecting a picket line helps preserve that tradition and keeps our union strong now and into the future.