On April 13, 2,200 CUPE long term care workers across Nova Scotia went on strike. My union, NSGEU, shares workplaces with CUPE long term care workers – both unions are very well represented in healthcare across the province. On the Friday before the strike, I opened my email to find a message from the NSGEU leadership with the subject line, ‘What to do if a union in your workplace goes on strike’. Fair question, but the answer seemed obvious to me – you respect the picket line! I opened the email to find the union leadership advising that members should cross the CUPE picket line, and would be expected to, because NSGEU is not on strike. The email went so far as to recommend we ‘walk the line before we cross the line’ to show respect to striking workers. Pretending to be on their side before crossing the picket is shameful, and it’s pathetic our leaders think otherwise. At the same time, they flood social media with photo-ops on the picket lines with CUPE. No wonder the meetings are empty when the leaders care more about their image than standing up and leading a fight for all workers. The workers in Nova Scotia are showing they’re ready to fight, though – the CUPE strike is just the latest expression. And we deserve a leadership that is on our side, and willing to fight to win!
– Anna G., Halifax
