Memories of a Picket Coordinator

By Pauline Pearson, Psychology

What was my experience as picket coordinator?  In a word, outstanding.  The adventure began midday on Sunday, February 27, when a call on my cell interrupted my out-of-town lunch.  I knew trouble was brewing as soon as I heard that familiar British voice asking, “Is this Pawleen?” I signaled to the waiter to bring another beer. During my flight back to Winnipeg, I read the CAUT strike manual and tried to draw up as many documents as I could based upon the advice that I found there—picket passes, attendance sheets, incident reports, proposed picket locations and shift times.  How was there ever going to be enough time to get the work done? 

By Wednesday afternoon, we had news that the strike vote had passed with huge support. Now, I was terrified, as it was rapidly becoming apparent that we may be going on strike within a week!  However, my fear was rapidly allayed by the willingness of my colleagues to volunteer. Within several hours of sending out a request, twenty people had agreed to serve as picket captains.  I didn’t even have to send out a second e-mail!  Almost 100% of those individuals I contacted consented. In rapid response to my request, James Hanley agreed to share the responsibilities of picket coordinator. He later admitted that he had misread my e-mail and didn’t realize what he had agreed to take on, but we had everyone in place and still a week to go!

Serving as picket coordinator allowed me to reconnect with members of faculty and connect with members I had not previously known. It was fantastic to see how everyone came together to work for a common purpose. Despite long hard days and sleep-deprived nights in the week and a half running up to the strike (Was it really only a week and a half?), the mood of everyone at strike headquarters and at meetings remained positive and supportive. Thanks to everyone for making it such fun and making me look so good!