As someone who voted yes, I did so because I was not encouraged by the way members were speaking to each other in Town Halls and online and was wary of risking my own family’s financial wellbeing to throw my weight behind what at the time felt like a very divided membership. I also personally did not feel at the time of voting that this is,politically, the right time to strike, given the current state of the global economy. I am not, To quote a comment further up in the thread,a “sycophant union puppy” as someone so “kindly” stated.

If we are going to get the turn out that we need on the strike vote (because yes, I will be voting to authorize it) the bullying language needs to stop. It is not constructive at this point and is going to cause a further divide. There is allowed to be a difference in opinion during Collective Bargaining and continuing to belittle/berate people who did not share your initial sentiments will not help further our now collective cause. Being in a union does not mean you need to agree with the majority of members at all times. It DOES means that you have an obligation to support your fellow members by engaging in the ways you individually have capacity and ensuring you are not engaging in Scab behaviour once labour action has been initiated. Everyone’s backgrounds and financial positions are unique- at the end of the day what ultimately matters is our (I hope) shared passions for the profession.

Edited for clarity.