Picket Line FAQ
If you haven’t been before, coming alone to a picket line can be daunting! Whereas protests often have a clear beginning, middle, and end involving speakers and marches, picket lines can be less linear.
The good news is that the picket line is a fun and welcoming space. What’s more, when you come to the picket line, you are directly contributing to perhaps the most important element of a successful strike: worker morale!
It’s normal for workers on strike to go through waves of disillusionment, exhaustion, and isolation. The more workers feel isolated and defeated, the more likely they are to settle for a weaker contract. So when we show up—whether with food, supplies, or just a listening ear—we are helping workers win!
You don’t need to prepare to join the picket line, but if you want to, here are some things you can bring, expect, or do when you arrive:
What can I bring?
Bring anything you think would be useful or beneficial to people who are outside for extended periods of time!
Supplies:
Disposable Cutlery
Paper Plates
Paper Towels
Sunscreen
Hand Sanitizer
Disposable Cups
Food + Drink:
Fresh cooked meals, with an emphasis on vegetables + healthy food!
Non-perishable items (for workers to take home)
Snacks
Bottled Beverages
Where do I bring supplies?
In general, you can simply say hello to whomever you first meet on the picket line, and they’ll direct you!
More specifically, you can bring fresh-cooked food and related supplies to the Blackstone Grill, which sets itself each day in the park area of Blackstone Boulevard across from the Butler Campus entrance. If you are driving north up towards the picket line, this will be on your left. You can bring non-perishables and other supplies to the tables set up next to the entrance of the campus.
What is the picket line like?
The picket line is a small loop of people walking back and forth the crosswalks in front of Butler’s campus. Traditionally, picket lines serve as a barrier between the workplace and anyone trying to enter. In this case, picketers are not blocking anyone from entering the campus, but, depending on who is crossing, we don’t want to make it easy or enjoyable. You can expect to see workers booing vans and buses entering the campus with droves of scabs. Workers might ignore or cheer on other vehicles–these might be patients, elderly residents of the Butler campus, or sympathetic non-unionized workers.
On the picket line, sometimes people will start call and response chants. People sometimes walk single file, in pairs, or small groups to hold conversation.
Beyond the picket line, many workers are resting in the park, serving or eating food, or talking with community members in various groups around the area. There is a set of porta-potties available on the southern end of the picket. Most workers wear purple and/or yellow, which are SEIU’s colors.
What do I do when I get there?
Drop off whatever supplies/food you have, then join the fun!
If you are able, walk the picket line! In a strike, it is important to “hold the line,” as in, add additional bodies to the picket line. This is perhaps the main way strikers show their continued strength.
On the line, or anywhere around the picket, strike up conversations with workers. While there’s no sure-fire way to identify a worker, they are likely the people most decked out in yellow and purple. Tell them your name and that you came out to support the strike. To keep the conversation flowing you can ask:
What do you do at Butler?
How long have you worked there?
What are the main things you want to see in a new contract?
How are you feeling about the strike?
How are negotiations going?
What have been your highs and lows?
What kind of supplies or food would you most appreciate?
Workers are excited to talk about the strike and their union, but it’s important to understand that there is little else they have talked about for almost a month. As the conversation flows, feel free to ask workers about common interests you share, their families, where they’re from, and other subjects that might offer them a temporary reprieve.
Make sure to join in on any chants and try to remember at least a couple names—they’ll appreciate it if you remember them the next time you show up!