Newsletter: Strike Talk.

By: Cass & Kass

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Welcome to our new Newsletter: Strike Talk.

This is the place where we will provide weekly updates, resources, news, and highlights from the lines. 

Week Two – Back to the Lines

Last week, you showed up and stood up for Our Colleges! Thank you for coming out to Conestoga’s Kitchener Doon campus last Thursday and Friday to show the college, as well as the community, that we’re not going to back down from the good fight.

Fast forward to week two. 

We’re finding a new normal for right now, which will be picketing at college campuses closer to your home base. We appreciate every physical step you take on the line and those helping behind the scenes – you all matter!

 Be sure to tag us on social media if you post about your time on the line. You can tag us at @opseulocal238 – you can also use some of these trending hashtags for the strike:

•  #OPSEU

• #SaveOurColleges

• #MyStudentsNeedMe

•  #Solidarity

•  #WhenWeFightWeWin

Tips for ‘Walking the Strike Line’

A lot of us are new to picketing; here is some information to help:

 Keep moving between two set points! Moving can look like walking across the driveway of your assigned spot in a single file, keeping only a few feet from the next person in line. Be sure to loop back and forth for maximum coverage.

Patrol the Assigned Area: Keep an eye out for your colleagues, watch who is in the space, and above all - stay safe!

Ensure the picket line is clean: Strike captains will be provided with trash bags.

Actions You can do:

• Stop vehicles for short periods of time (up to 5 minutes)

• Chant, use whistles, cheer, and carry signs

• Talk to your coworkers and those crossing the line

• Hand out pamphlets

• Draw messages with chalk on the sidewalks

• Take care of yourself! Stretch, drink water, laugh, dance - we need to keep our morale up! 

When Holding Up a Car:

We are only holding cars coming IN to campus. No need to stop them if they are leaving. Please follow the direction of your captain and refer any safety concerns their way.

Meet the People Making Things Happen!

The incredible turnout on the lines, communications, accommodations, scheduling, and financial logistics wouldn’t be possible without our incredible team of volunteers! 

All of these members work full-time jobs and have volunteered their free time (some outside of the required 20 hours of strike duties) and efforts to support Our Fight. 

We are stronger together!

A shout out to:

Strike Committee: Local President - Vikki Poirier, Strike Committee Chair - Scott Jones, Finance Chair- Elizabeth Record, Accommodations Chairs - Julie Gibson + Jen Riehl, Communications Chair- Kassandra Caporiccio

Strike Captains: Shan,  Tabitha,  Nisha, Will,  Alisha, Liz, Rebecca, Lauren, Lee, Katie, Rowan,  Andrew, Jenna, Melissa, Michelle, Mike, Laurie, Alicia, Johanna,  Kristen, Saurabh, Amanda, Harmony, Bryan, Jason, Pam, Tracy [And more who are still in training!]. 

Scheduling Team: Kyla, Amal, Catherine, Sandra

Accommodations Team:  Kaitlyn, Emily, Keira, Amanda, Katie, Andrea, Jennifer, Liz, and Cheri!

Finance Team: Sandra, Lisa, Tracey, Jen, Niki

Communications Team: Cass, Barb, Steve, Wesley, Raven, Katlynd

Our amazing drivers: Debbie, Shermin, Amal, and more!

What Next? Learn More Online

If you’re looking to read about what is happening in bargaining meetings, visit our website to learn more. Our site has access to:

• Bargaining Updates

• Strike FAQs

• Member Portal: Direct Deposit Guide

The OPSEU Local 238 website also has all you need to know about what to bring with you and where to go for the picket line closest to you. At the bottom of the page, you can find documents to download that include strike chants and guidelines on how to make your own picket sign!

 Important Date: September 24 – Have Your Say

Keep up to date on the upcoming vote regarding our Strike Contingency Fund. The date of the meeting is Wednesday, September 24, 2025, at 7:00 PM EST. 

More information for the meeting will be released this Wednesday, September 17, 2025 – one week away from the meeting.

If you have yet to register for the meeting, please do so here.