Marching in March

It has been a busy first half of March so I haven't been able to sit down and post very much.  However, I realize there are lots of things that need posting!

Two weeks ago when I showed up at work on Tuesday morning, as I rode up to the building's back entrance, I noticed several people holding signs and blocking the driveway to the underground garage.  I was on my bicycle and therefore surprised when one of them walked right up to me, stuck his face in mine, and asked if I was a member of the BCGEU union.  I told him I was. He then proceeded to explain to me that I shouldn't go into work in support of their union (the teacher's union) and gave me a piece of paper explaining where I could go to 'register for strike pay'.  Yikes! My brain was racing - I'm not on strike, I'm paid to go to work, AND I'm lucky to have a job. I certainly hadn't expected this.  In fact, I have never been part of a union and had absolutely no experience with union 'activities,' so I had no idea if leaving was what I was supposed to do.  At 7:30 in the morning, there just aren't a lot of other employees to ask their opinion.  However, I decided to go with the flow, find out what I could and see what happens.  As I rode around the front of the building, I could see other small groups of people with signs who had our front entrance blocked, as well as the Ministry of Health building across the street.  Besides as I only had to go a couple of blocks to where we were to register for 'strike pay,' so I rode over there to see what was going on.  I hoped I would see someone with some 'strike' experience.  I registered and took a seat at a table where 2 people were sipping coffee and talking. In short order, I was chatting politics with them and picked up some 'strike' tips.  Soon enough the hall got very busy very fast, and the 3 of us realized we might as well help with the registration process, and picked up pens and blank forms.  That definitely made the time fly by and before I knew it, it was 10:30 and the lineups had disappeared. I met a lot of people but still had not seen anyone I knew.  Weird.  The crowds were slowly grabbing signs and disappearing out the front door.

Teachers and other union brothers/sisters gathering at Centenial Square

I usually eat breakfast at 8:30 or 9 (at my desk), so you can imagine I was a little hungry.  One volunteer had kindly offered and brought me a coffee at some point, and soon the caffeine was  running full tilt through my blood.  I was literally vibrating (I don't normally drink much caffeine these days, let alone on an empty stomach)!  The union announcements were sporadic and confusing, but indicated there would be a rally at the square across the street at 11 am and 'we' would march downtown to the Legislature.  I grabbed my helmet, basket (with my breakfast in it), unlocked my bicycle and walked across the street to see what was happening. I was still hoping to find someone from my branch, or floor, or anywhere in the building, that I could tag along with.  It was a cold, sunny day and there were hundreds of people in the square.  I remembered I had my cell phone with me so called the one office number I could remember and asked if people were at work, and were there any demonstrators still outside? He assured me some people (other than management) had shown up, and, that no protestors were left outside our building.

The teachers were there large numbers and were arriving by the bus load.  Apparently the ferrys from Vancouver that morning had been completely filled up with buses from all over the province! Other unions were there in full force too.  Lots of banners and protest signs, and most people happy.  The sunshine helped. By 11 am there was a new announcement that the march was to start at 11:30.   Well, by this time I felt I'd done my bit to support the teachers, and decided I was not a 'marcher.'  So, I got back on my trusty steed and rode to work uninhibited.  After I warmed up, I ate breakfast.