Centennial College respects the bargaining process and the right of unionized employees to withdraw their services as a legitimate means of reaching a fair and equitable agreement. While a strike is never desirable, our top priority is to ensure the health and safety of our valued students, faculty, staff and visitors. If you plan on accessing any of our campuses during the strike, take a moment to read the following:
5 Tips for Crossing a Picket Line Safely and Respectfully
- Expect delays, especially if you are crossing the picket line with your car.
- Make your way through the line cautiously and courteously.
- Attempt whenever possible to maintain normal relations with our academic employees on the picket line (e.g., greet them as you normally would).
- Don’t take any comments or events personally. Avoid provocation or confrontation with employees on the picket line.
- If you need assistance, look for the Management Coordinator (in a coloured vest or orange arm band) and follow their instructions.
The College will post a Management Coordinator at each campus to ensure picketers and those crossing picket lines comply with both the law and the picket line protocol negotiated with our union local. There will also be a union representative, the Picket Captain, at each campus who is responsible for maintaining an orderly picket line. If necessary, the Management Coordinator will liaise with the Picket Captain to ensure everyone can cross the picket lines in a safe and timely manner.
We realize that taking public transit is not an option for everyone. If you need to drive to the College during a strike, please abide by the above guidelines and follow our:
5 Tips for Drivers
- Prepare for delays. Usually, picketers can limit one car to cross the picket line at a time.
- Avoid making left-hand turns into campus driveways and lots as this blocks traffic and causes traffic backups.
- Obey the regular traffic lights, signage and regulations and parking instructions.
- Remember that pedestrians always have the right of way.
- Your vehicle could be ticketed/towed if you park in a private off campus parking lot without paying.
Despite arrangements to ensure your safety, you may still have difficulties crossing the picket line. If this happens, do not risk your own or anyone else’s safety in attempting to cross. Please leave the scene immediately and contact security at (416) 289-5000, ext. 5240 for their instruction. Usually, they will advise you to wait 30 minutes and try again. By that time, picket lines may have dispersed.
Finally, there are rules governing lawful picketing, and the law recognizes the difference between ‘informational picketing’ and picketing aimed at blocking entrances and exits. Picketers cannot use force, threats or threatening gestures, trespass on or damage College property or conduct themselves in a way that constitutes an unlawful assembly.
Our security personnel are there to ensure your safety. Ultimately, Toronto Police Services are responsible for maintaining public safety. Our security staff and/or the picket line Management Coordinator will decide if we need to ask for additional security services.