UnionOps

Strike & Crisis Comms Guide

High-level guidance for local unions during strikes, bargaining, and workplace crises

Central unions often provide sector-level bargaining support, but locals run their own member communications - especially on social media. This guide helps volunteer comms leads stay coordinated, lawful, and member-centred when stakes are high. Always defer to your local executive, union servicing rep, and any active strike or bargaining protocols.

Strike action

  • Confirm all public messaging with your local president and union servicing rep before posting
  • Designate one or two spokespersons - members and media should hear one consistent local voice
  • Post daily picket schedules, gate locations, and safety reminders using branded graphics from this toolbox
  • Share solidarity and member stories with consent - never post photos without permission
  • Use your Brand Kit colours; follow division or sector campaign materials when coordinating beyond the local
  • Do not share negotiation details, member home addresses, or internal strategy on public channels
  • Direct questions about pay, duties, and return-to-work to the local strike committee - not comment threads

Bargaining and countdown

  • Build momentum with factual updates - job security, workload, wages, and member priorities
  • Use consistent hashtags and graphics so members recognize official local posts
  • Encourage members to wear union colours and attend information meetings - post times and locations early
  • Share only what the bargaining team has approved for public release
  • Remind members to avoid debating management claims in public comment sections
  • Link to official union bargaining pages when available rather than paraphrasing from memory

Layoffs and restructuring

  • Acknowledge member anxiety - be empathetic, factual, and calm
  • Direct affected members to stewards, union servicing reps, and EAP resources
  • Do not speculate about outcomes - share only confirmed local and employer statements
  • Use quote cards from elected leaders to show a unified local voice
  • Document management communications offline for grievance and consultation records
  • Avoid naming individuals at risk unless they have asked to be identified publicly

Management pushback and misinformation

  • Respond with facts and collective agreement language - never personal attacks
  • If management posts misinformation, publish one brief correction and pin it if needed
  • Escalate harassment, threats, or surveillance concerns to your union servicing rep immediately
  • Do not engage in prolonged public arguments with management accounts
  • Keep sensitive member issues in steward channels, not public posts
  • Screenshot problematic employer posts for the local executive and servicing rep

When to escalate

  • Media inquiries - route to your designated spokesperson or union communications
  • Legal threats, injunctions, or employer letters about conduct - executive and servicing rep immediately
  • Member safety incidents on the line or in the workplace - follow local emergency protocols first
  • Leaked confidential documents or suspected bad-faith bargaining - do not post; alert leadership
  • Viral misinformation about your local - coordinate a single correction rather than multiple replies

Toolbox resources for crisis comms

Use these on-device tools to keep visuals consistent when your local is under pressure:

  • Brand Kit - local number, colours, and logo ready for fast graphics
  • Board Notice Maker - workplace bulletin updates during strikes
  • Flyer Maker and Quote Card - leadership statements and picket updates
  • Graphic Maker - member spotlights with consent flow
  • Website Template - one stable link for members and media
  • Captions library - pre-written solidarity and bargaining posts

Sources & references

External resources cited in this guide. Always defer to your local executive and union servicing rep for official direction.