When I came home on Friday afternoon, my last shift for week 2 of the strike over, Gisele was waiting for me. “I hear you guys are having way too much fun on the picket line,” she said. She’d gotten this bit of information from my daughter, Nicky, who had picketed with me that morning. It was Family Day. And my 22 year old just happened to be the oldest of the children joining parents on the line for the morning shift. I was proud to have her there with me, just as the other parents were proud to have their children with them.
        Unlike Nicky, most of these children are too young to really understand in any sophisticated way the struggle their parents are engaged in. But then, it doesn’t take an adult mind to figure this out either. In fact, children, just by virtue of being small and vulnerable, are probably more attuned to our particular issues than many adults. From the signs they wore–many of which they designed themselves–they showed how they conceive of their parents’ struggle. And as they understand it, this strike is about fairness.
        After this lovely morning, I had to agree with Gisele and Nicky. Despite the stress and anxiety caused by this struggle for fairness, AUFA members are having fun together on the line. While Friday gave our children the opportunity to enjoy face-painting, craft-making, chalk-drawing, and bubble-blowing — and, really, just the opportunity to be with us and play together — many of us have been enjoying a comparable experience every day. During our daily walks together, we’ve gotten to know each other. More importantly, I think, a lot of us have gotten to like each other.
        Nevertheless, I also had some sad news to share with Gisele. While having lunch at HQ, I learned that another young faculty member and her family were leaving. I wasn’t totally surprised. I had met this woman shortly after she had arrived at Acadia and shortly before she had given birth to her last child. The meeting was grievance related, so I can’t go into details, but suffice it to say that one of the administrators gave her some grief about taking maternity leave. More grief followed when she was finally on leave. And things obviously didn’t improve much when she returned. So why would she stay given this unfair treatment? Yes, AUFA tried to look out for her through our grievance office. Yes, I’m sure that her colleagues were also supportive, though from what I know, many of them are facing similar difficulties. But that wasn’t enough to keep her and her family here.
        When the working environment is as toxic as the one I’ve just described, the danger extends beyond the workplace. Families are on the line. And leaving is a very appealing option because it’s a way of protecting one’s family from contamination. Unfortunately, I know firsthand that while this particular faculty member’s situation may be extreme for Acadia, it’s not unique. So I understand why she is leaving, and I certainly don’t begrudge her the decision. But I am saddened by the fact that I won’t get to know her and her family, as I am slowly getting to know and value my other colleagues on the line.