11 March, 2021

Dear Member;

The following information is designed to clarify picket line action and behaviour for members.
 

PICKET LINE PROTOCOL
 

The purpose of any picket line is to put maximum pressure on our employer and to minimize the impact on our members.  The IBEW bargaining committee has decided to have rotational strikes on specific, targeted areas. We are only required to give the employer two hours notice to initiate this action. We understand this may be an inconvenience to you, but this is an even bigger inconvenience to Manitoba Hydro.

If you are notified via email from this office, please report to the road entrance of your workplace /work site or contact your picket captain.  For example: If working on a construction crew and working in Thompson, you will go out when your construction department has been identified and not when Thompson does. 

When your group has been identified as being on rotating strike, your rights to participate in the strike are protected under Provincial Legislation.  However, there are also rules and protocols to be adhered to as follows:: 

• There will be a person at each site we have designated as a Picket Captain.Report to this person.
• The picket Captain will ask you to sign in.This is primarily for Covid-19 tracing.
• You will receive a picket sign and you are expected to follow the instructions of your Picket Captain.
• Recognize that not all Manitoba Hydro employees are on strike.Employees that are not on strike could face the prospect of disciplinary action if they do not report to work.
• Ask these employees to express their solidarity for your picket line.If these employees are asked to perform your work, PLEASE CONTACT THE PICKET CAPTAIN IMMEDIATELY, so that they can in turn contact the union office right away.
• Manitoba Hydro has advised employees that they can only delay vehicles for 5 minutes.This is really a guideline and you need to use discretion.In high traffic areas this may have to be constrained to 2 – 3 minutes.
• Educate the public if they engage you in a polite respectful manner. Be respectful even if it hurts!
• Refer all media to the Union office at 204-944-2034
• Keep the picket lines neat and do not litter.
• MAINTAIN SOCIAL DISTANCING.Stay 2 meters apart.Try to remain separated in groups of 10 and please wear a mask! Respect Covid protocols.

 Remember:

• You have a legal right to picket and to inform the public.
• The public has the right to cross or not to cross your picket line.
• Do not worry about legitimate inconveniences that are created by your picket actions, they are your right.

UNITED WE STAND
DIVIDED WE FALL

In solidarity,

Business Manager
IBEW Local Union 2034