Strike Action Sheets for Passers-By

Protests in Canada are well organized to ensure they cause minimum inconvenience to the general public. Marshals regulate the flow of the march and contain it to a specific area, let’s say the pavement. What is missing is information for passers-by.

Another strike?

Looks like it.

What is it this time?

Let’s ask somebody.

Street Fact Sheets

Groups that take to the street to protest about something, cannot assume that the world understands their grievance. The current strike by Canada’s public servants for example. Anybody with a phone knew that the government and the major union were around a table negotiating. They knew about the possibility of strike action if talks break down. Yes, but we cannot assume that.

That’s why organizers like the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) should print information like flyers or fact sheets to be distributed on site, for passers-by like the ones above. It won’t be a large print run. Limited quantity can be done on a printer. What passers-by think is important because it influences public opinion, in favour or against your cause. If you’ve stopped eating cauliflower because it’s $6.49 each, you’ll sympathize with government workers.

Street fact sheets should answer the 5 W’s: Who? What? Why? Where? When?  There’s always a How. That’s where the union can give a snap of figures. Union members want XXXX, the government is offering BBBBB.

By: Nonqaba waka Msimang.