More than 150 protesters met on the Bronson Avenue picket line on Monday for the first day of the CUPE 4600 strike.

Michael Hurley, CUPE Ontario’s vice-president, addressed the crowd, calling for solidarity among all of CUPE and claimed the national union will stand by protestors through any decisions they make.

“This is a union that is not afraid of conflict … this is a union that will sell every building it owns to back the workers it represents,” Hurley said.

He commemorated protestors for their resilience, their defiance and their commitment towards achieving “real wages.”

“We are here for you, I am so proud of you,” Hurley said.

Speakers deliver impassioned speeches at a CUPE 4600 on the first day of the union’s strike in Ottawa, on Monday, March 27, 2023. [Photo by Owen Spillios-Hunter/The Charlatan]
The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE 4600) and Carleton University were unable to reach tentative agreements, leading to the union implementing a strike in Ottawa, on Monday, March 27, 2023. [Photo by L. Manuel Baechlin/The Charlatan]
Speakers deliver impassioned speeches at a CUPE 4600 rally after negotiations with Carleton University fail to reach tentative agreements in Ottawa, on Monday, March 27, 2023. [Photo by Owen Spillios-Hunter/The Charlatan]
Many community organizations such as Horizon Ottawa also attended the rally. Sam Hersh, Horizon Ottawa board member, called on the public to support the union.

“It’s important to raise public consciousness on this so hopefully it won’t just be the union putting pressure on the university it is also the public applying pressure,” Hersh said.

He added student support is crucial for the success of the strike.

“Students coming out makes a huge difference, obviously students don’t want their term extended for good reason,” Hersh said. “It’s important they know the reason isn’t because CUPE 4600 is on strike, it’s because the university won’t give the workers a fair deal.”

OC Transpo is not running bus service to campus during the CUPE 4600 strike, and commuters are stopped on their way into the university in Ottawa, on Monday, March 27, 2023. [Photo by L. Manuel Baechlin/The Charlatan]
Protestors stopped cars at the picket line for 30 seconds to one minute, explaining to drivers the reason for delays getting onto campus.

In addition to the several supporting cheers and honks from cars, some drivers raised their middle fingers or yelled at protestors to “fuck off.”

Most were calm and supportive non-participants, Kristen Hines, a contract instructor at Carleton, said.

“While I was stopping people to talk to them about our intellectual property rights, many people didn’t know previously what I was talking about,” Hines added. “It just goes to show you that based on where you get your information, you’re only getting part of the story.”

Almost 30 per cent of classes are taught by contract instructors and won’t run during the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE 4600) strike. Many more will be affected in Ottawa, on Monday, March 27, 2023. [Photo by L. Manuel Baechlin/The Charlatan]
OC Transpo is not running bus service to campus during the CUPE 4600 strike, and commuters are stopped on their way into the university in Ottawa, on Monday, March 27, 2023. [Photo by L. Manuel Baechlin/The Charlatan]
Members of the bargaining team took a break from the table to join the crowd, according to Ewen Cameron, CUPE 4600 mobilization coordinator.

Until a deal is reached, the union will continue its strike.

“They’ll be back at the table for the rest of the week [but] we’ll be maintaining our picket line indefinitely,” said Cameron.

Featured image by Owen Spillios-Hunter.

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