Bulletin
ICBC – What to do if you encounter a picket line at your work location
September 26, 2025
To: MoveUP members at ICBC
MoveUP has heard that the members of the British Columbia General Employees’ Union (BCGEU) and the Professional Employees Association (PEA) may soon potentially set up a picket line affecting access to your workplace as part of their ongoing public sector strike.
The members of BCGEU and PEA are fighting for a fair collective agreement that includes wage improvements that fairly reflects the value of what public sector workers bring to our communities. Their fight will have a very real impact on our bargaining with ICBC as their deal will impact what happens for your next collective agreement.
That is why it is imperative for our members, especially those at ICBC, support the BCGEU and PEA members in their job action. We will respect the picket line if they have it set up at our common worksites.
Should you encounter a picket line, please follow this guide:
- DO NOT CROSS THE PICKET LINE. If you cannot find a MoveUP representative or job steward on your picket line, send an email to Senior Union Representative Trevor Hansen at thansen@moveuptogether.ca and await further instructions. You may join the workers on the picket line as a show of solidarity but do not, under any circumstances, enter the building even if you find there is an unimpeded access spot.
- If you have been directed by your manager to work remotely or from an alternative site, follow those directions but make sure you let us know by email thansen@moveuptogether.ca.
More important questions
How will we get information updates from MoveUP?
Our two main communication methods will be through email and through text messages.
It is important that we have your preferred name, active cell phone number, and personal email address accurate.
Please log in to your Member Portal account to check that we have your updated information on file.
We have also set up a Public Sector Job Action webpage which will provide up to date information for MoveUP members at ICBC. You can visit this webpage for updates: www.moveuptogether.ca/psjafaq_icbc
Will I be disciplined by my employer if I exercise my right to not cross a legal picket line?
No. Your collective agreement offers you protection in the event a legal picket line prevents you from getting to work. If your employer threatens any form of discipline if you do not continue working despite an active picket line in place, contact us immediately.
We will inform you of when you may return to your work.
Will I be paid if I am unable to work due to a third-party picket?
If there is a third-party picket at your worksite that prevents you from going to work, it is as if you are on strike. MoveUP, as well as our national union COPE, has picket pay to support members who are on strike or locked out. More information will be shared about this when necessary.
What is the BCGEU trying to achieve in their bargaining?
The issues that the BCGEU seeks to address for their members are consistent with the issues that we have identified as critical for our members. This is why it is important for us to support them.
Among those core issues include dealing with recruitment and retention issues, providing competitive wages to support public sector workers facing affordability concerns, and providing fair access to work-from-home provisions.
You can learn more about their bargaining position here.
Direct Deposit Authorization Form
To expedite picket payment to you in the event of a third-party picket, we have set up a Direct Deposit Authorization Form where you can register your banking information with us. This will allow our team to process your information quicker and avoid any delay in issuing picket pay in the event of job action.
Standing in solidarity with the BCGEU and PEA members will go a long way towards helping us reach a fair contract for our members at ICBC when we are at the bargaining table. When union members stand together, history has shown we can affect great change and score great victories for working people everywhere.
Thank you for your support and understanding of this challenging situation.
In solidarity,
Annette Toth, President
Dimitri Ossinsky, Vice-President
Trevor Hansen, Senior Union Representative