Coalition of University Employees

Manual for Unfair Labor Practice Strike

CUE HOTLINE: (619) 296-4937

Strike Dates: Month ZY, 200X

Picketing locations

(Show up at any location, or at ____ and you'll be sent somewhere you are needed).

7:00 a.m. Campus Location
6:00 a.m. Med. Center Location

PICKETING

The Strike

On the days of the strike, please do not go to work. Please honor and support the picket line. We will make it clear to UC that we are ready and available to work immediately following the strike. If physical conditions make it difficult for you to stand for long periods, just let us know - we can find another way for you to help. If you will need special accommodation in order to participate, please let us know ahead of time.

Picketing: The Backbone of Our Strike

The picket line is the single most visible strike activity. Picketing creates an atmosphere of solidarity and strength and communicates that to the Employer and the public.

Our Right to Picket

The First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution and California State Law protect the right of peaceful picketing to publicize a dispute. The U.S Supreme Court has held a peaceful picketing which is designed to inform and persuade the public is within the area of free speech guaranteed by the First Amendment of the Constitution. If the police come, direct them to the picket captain.

Food, Children and Pets

Food: People are encouraged to bring their own snacks or drinks -- all garbage should be removed by the bearer. If you bring it, take it home.

We plan to have water, and some food available at all times. You are welcome to bring your own treats/food for others if you wish. We can't feed all observers however and want to keep the area clean and neat so please use trash receptacles for refuse.

Children: Children should be encouraged to picket with the parent to help them understand their parent's position. Other family and friends are also welcome.

Animals: Well-behaved animals can add to the morale and spirit of a picket line, but be aware that it can be upsetting for animals. If you do bring an animal, make sure that you clean up appropriately and bring a water dish. And be respectful of people who may be uncomfortable around dogs.

What to Wear and Where to Go
Bring a hat and wear sunscreen, in case the sun ever comes out.

Wear something comfortable, and bring layers for changes in weather. Be sure to wear shoes that you can walk with. CUE t-shirts are good, and will be available on the picket line.

Finding bathrooms

It is not considered crossing the picket line if you want to go into a campus building to use a bathroom. Other locations (churches, etc.) may be available for those who do not wish to do this.

United We Stand, Divided We Fall
A commitment for adhering to a picketing schedule is integral to success. Nothing assures a cohesive attitude like a well-staffed picket line. Management starts chipping away at the morale when there is an obvious lack of support on the picket line.

No matter how strong management feels their position is, there is only one thing that can defeat the strike itself -- and that is disinterest or lack of support of clericals for clericals. A united clerical front can withstand adversity from without. Never is the saying. "United we stand - divided we fall" so meaningful as during a strike.

Management's main instrument to weaken our resolve is to play on every employee who crosses over and amplify her/his dissatisfaction with the strike or her/his reasons for crossing the picket line.

Rumor Control

One of the ploys used by management to demoralize clericals before the strike is to circulate information on how ineffective a strike will be in furthering their goals at the bargaining table and that a strike will do nothing more than hurt the students and the university.

These rumors need to be countered by the clericals circulating leaflets to the public while on the picket line. Leaflets can be passed to anyone going through the driveway or passing by.

GUIDELINES FOR PICKETERS

1. CUE-REPRESENTED CLERICAL (whether a member or not): No need to give notice or call in your intent to strike. You can just show up on the picket line.
2. Let your Picket Captain know when you arrive and when you leave (see explanation of "Picket Captain" duties on next page). Please sign in when you arrive and sign out when you leave.
3. Concentrate around university entrances but do not block traffic or prevent people from entering or leaving. Do not block the street. Stay on public property. You may cross driveways, but you should keep moving and yield to vehicles. You don't have to stay on the sidewalk.
4. Be professional. If anyone approaches you in an antagonistic way, notify your picket captain.
5. If approached by news media for pictures, permit this if you do not object personally. If you want to talk to them, feel free to talk from your own experience. If interviewed, remember that this strike was authorized to protest the University's unfair labor practices. Remember to mention the University's illegal conduct. If they want the union's position, refer them to the Picket Captain, who will know who is the designated press person.
6. Do your part to keep up morale. We will win this strike if each clerical takes responsibility on the picket line for talking to the public, maintaining the picket line, and encouraging public support of our cause.
7. While we are asking most UC employees and delivery people to honor the picket lines, some employees (probationary and TAP) may need to work. If people cross the line, just let them cross. We will gather more sympathy by being civil than hostile.
8. Be flexible about where you are assigned to picket. You may need to be sent to different locations in order to cover as many entrances as possible.

PICKET CAPTAIN DUTIES

1. All picket lines must be up at the strike start time. This means that Picket Captains for the first shift need to be on site to set up 30 minutes early. Other picketers scheduled should arrive for the first shift 15 minutes early.
2. Picket Captains will wear name tags designating them as Picket Captains.
3. Picket Captains will make sure everyone (including community supporters) signs in.
4. Picket Captains will be given supplies of leaflets to give to the public for use by clericals on the picket line.
5. Picket Captains will encourage us to keep the site tidy, and are responsible for making sure the site is cleaned up completely after the picket line is closed down.
6. Picket Captains will distribute and collect Strike Benefits Application forms, and check the membership list to make sure that applicants are members. Non-members can join on the spot. If a member's name does not show up on the membership list, just have them fill out another membership form.
7. If a reporter comes, the Picket Captain should refer them to the designated Media Contact at that location, or to another location. Take their card or their name.
8. The Picket Captain will turn all picket line supplies in at the end of each day.
9. If any delivery workers or drivers have questions about strike sanction, they can call the San Diego Labor Council at 619-283-5411.
10. The Picket Captain will serve as police liaison if necessary. If the police ask to talk, it is recommended that a few people do it together. Or the police can be referred to: D.A. Bartolotta.

If you have any questions while on the strike line, talk to your picket captain on the line.

Supplies for Strike Tables

Pens for Signing in	Sign in sheets/stickers
Garbage Bags	Strike Benefit Applications
Colored Marking Pens	Water and Paper Cups
Duct Tape or Masking Tape	Sunscreen
Folding Chair	Membership list/membership forms
Disposable camera	Bullhorn
Folding table	Ice chest
First aid kit

Media

The need for effective public relations is heightened during a strike. CUE will take the offensive and not be put into a defensive posture by the employer's public relations campaign. We can expect a full-scale employer media campaign. Be prepared that the University will try to characterize your struggle as solely about money or solely about CUE (and not about clericals' issues). The CUE media committee is working to get the word out in a variety of ways.