Planning Gear for a Strike, Rally, or Informational Picket When a local moves toward a strike, informational picket, or rally, merchandise usually isn’t the first thing on anyone’s mind — and it shouldn’t be. But visible, consistent gear does real work on a picket line: it signals unity to drivers and press, it’s warm or dry when the weather isn’t cooperating, and it’s one less thing members have to improvise on their own. Here’s how to think about ordering it under time pressure. What actually matters on a picket line Visibility and weather protection come before branding polish. A high-contrast vest or shirt that reads clearly from a passing car does more for the action than a subtle design does. If the action runs into cold, wet, or early-morning hours, a basic hooded layer outperforms a nicer but thinner shirt every time — members will actually wear what keeps them warm, regardless of how it was designed. Keep the message short and legible at a distance Signage and apparel both need to read in under two seconds, whether that’s a driver at a stoplight or a photo in tomorrow’s paper. The local’s name, the issue in a few words, and a union label or bug if space allows — that’s usually enough. Long paragraphs of demands belong on a handout, not a t-shirt. Order for turnover, not just headcount Picket and rally participation often rotates in shifts rather than staying constant, so the practical number to order is usually higher than the number of dues-paying members who’ll show up on day one. A smaller core set of durable, reusable items (vests, signs on stakes) that get handed off shift to shift stretches further than a large one-time run of shirts sized for a single day. Timelines get compressed — plan for it Unlike a convention with months of notice, strike authorization votes and rally dates can move fast. That usually means choosing simpler decoration methods (screen printing over embroidery, standard sign sizes over custom-cut shapes) to keep production time realistic, and being upfront with your supplier about the actual date so they can tell you honestly what’s achievable rather than promising something that slips. If it matters to your local that the gear is union or USA-made Say so when you place the order, especially under a compressed timeline — it’s a real constraint on which vendors and methods are available on short notice, not just a preference to note after the fact. We’ll tell you plainly what’s realistic for your date once we know it matters. If your local is heading toward a vote or an action and needs to move quickly, call or email with the date and a rough number — we can tell you same-day what’s realistically achievable before you commit to anything.
