Martha Edwards
@maredwards.bsky.social
Service Design and user research things 🇨🇦 🇬🇧
Tweets are my own and don't reflect who I might work for or with
Tweets are my own and don't reflect who I might work for or with
Thank you and happy early birthday to you! I'm sorry you're going through this, hoping there is some relief and peace and joy coming your way soon ❤️
October 28, 2025 at 7:09 PM
Thank you and happy early birthday to you! I'm sorry you're going through this, hoping there is some relief and peace and joy coming your way soon ❤️
Anyway, point is .... I see lots of opportunities to improve and modernize the strike experience, and the union experience overall....but nobody asked me 🫠
So I guess I will just continue walking in circles for an unknown amount of time.
So I guess I will just continue walking in circles for an unknown amount of time.
October 28, 2025 at 5:22 PM
Anyway, point is .... I see lots of opportunities to improve and modernize the strike experience, and the union experience overall....but nobody asked me 🫠
So I guess I will just continue walking in circles for an unknown amount of time.
So I guess I will just continue walking in circles for an unknown amount of time.
For example: if you have a cold, your only choice is to show up (and risk spreading illness), or forfeit strike pay.
There’s a whole virtual picketing program people *could* join to contain germs while contributing and earning strike pay, but it's heavily restricted to certain people
There’s a whole virtual picketing program people *could* join to contain germs while contributing and earning strike pay, but it's heavily restricted to certain people
October 28, 2025 at 5:22 PM
For example: if you have a cold, your only choice is to show up (and risk spreading illness), or forfeit strike pay.
There’s a whole virtual picketing program people *could* join to contain germs while contributing and earning strike pay, but it's heavily restricted to certain people
There’s a whole virtual picketing program people *could* join to contain germs while contributing and earning strike pay, but it's heavily restricted to certain people
Naturally as someone in UX, I find myself thinking about the picket experience (PX?) - what’s working and how it could be improved.
It’s an incredible feat to organize 20,000+ workers in a few weeks
It's also noticeable that the conditions we fight for aren’t available to us as picketers
It’s an incredible feat to organize 20,000+ workers in a few weeks
It's also noticeable that the conditions we fight for aren’t available to us as picketers
October 28, 2025 at 5:22 PM
Naturally as someone in UX, I find myself thinking about the picket experience (PX?) - what’s working and how it could be improved.
It’s an incredible feat to organize 20,000+ workers in a few weeks
It's also noticeable that the conditions we fight for aren’t available to us as picketers
It’s an incredible feat to organize 20,000+ workers in a few weeks
It's also noticeable that the conditions we fight for aren’t available to us as picketers
As a reflection activity, I created a chart of my mood over the weeks 🤓
Side note: We forfeit employer mental health benefits on strike, and afaik there’s nothing offered by the union in its place. Even some sort of loosely organized peer support network could be helpful....
Side note: We forfeit employer mental health benefits on strike, and afaik there’s nothing offered by the union in its place. Even some sort of loosely organized peer support network could be helpful....
October 28, 2025 at 5:22 PM
As a reflection activity, I created a chart of my mood over the weeks 🤓
Side note: We forfeit employer mental health benefits on strike, and afaik there’s nothing offered by the union in its place. Even some sort of loosely organized peer support network could be helpful....
Side note: We forfeit employer mental health benefits on strike, and afaik there’s nothing offered by the union in its place. Even some sort of loosely organized peer support network could be helpful....
Less positive:
I’ve noticed an increase in mental and physical signs of anxiety and depression.
Loss of appetite, check.
Feeling hopeless, check.
Loss of interest, check.
(A sad irony that I’ve more time in the day to spend with my children but less interest or energy for their activities.)
I’ve noticed an increase in mental and physical signs of anxiety and depression.
Loss of appetite, check.
Feeling hopeless, check.
Loss of interest, check.
(A sad irony that I’ve more time in the day to spend with my children but less interest or energy for their activities.)
October 28, 2025 at 5:22 PM
Less positive:
I’ve noticed an increase in mental and physical signs of anxiety and depression.
Loss of appetite, check.
Feeling hopeless, check.
Loss of interest, check.
(A sad irony that I’ve more time in the day to spend with my children but less interest or energy for their activities.)
I’ve noticed an increase in mental and physical signs of anxiety and depression.
Loss of appetite, check.
Feeling hopeless, check.
Loss of interest, check.
(A sad irony that I’ve more time in the day to spend with my children but less interest or energy for their activities.)
Other positive things:
The union has been sending mediation updates every morning. They're always very vague but I'm reassured that they come at all.
The picket site had a “love bomber” walking around yelling positive phrases over a megaphone. Super cheesy but it helped to hear something good.
The union has been sending mediation updates every morning. They're always very vague but I'm reassured that they come at all.
The picket site had a “love bomber” walking around yelling positive phrases over a megaphone. Super cheesy but it helped to hear something good.
October 28, 2025 at 5:22 PM
Other positive things:
The union has been sending mediation updates every morning. They're always very vague but I'm reassured that they come at all.
The picket site had a “love bomber” walking around yelling positive phrases over a megaphone. Super cheesy but it helped to hear something good.
The union has been sending mediation updates every morning. They're always very vague but I'm reassured that they come at all.
The picket site had a “love bomber” walking around yelling positive phrases over a megaphone. Super cheesy but it helped to hear something good.
It was my birthday this week. I spent the day in the pouring rain. I got a parking ticket for being 10 minutes late to the car.
But - it was a pro-d day at my kids school so the little one joined me on the picket line. We had a really nice day together, despite the weather. A good memory
But - it was a pro-d day at my kids school so the little one joined me on the picket line. We had a really nice day together, despite the weather. A good memory
October 28, 2025 at 5:22 PM
It was my birthday this week. I spent the day in the pouring rain. I got a parking ticket for being 10 minutes late to the car.
But - it was a pro-d day at my kids school so the little one joined me on the picket line. We had a really nice day together, despite the weather. A good memory
But - it was a pro-d day at my kids school so the little one joined me on the picket line. We had a really nice day together, despite the weather. A good memory
I wrote these last week (20-24 October) before the deal... I kept them as-is so they sound present tense but they are not
Week five, $4000 in lost income now. Perhaps I should consider this my "donation" to publicly-funded services as it’s likely I won’t be able to earn that back
Week five, $4000 in lost income now. Perhaps I should consider this my "donation" to publicly-funded services as it’s likely I won’t be able to earn that back
October 28, 2025 at 5:22 PM
I wrote these last week (20-24 October) before the deal... I kept them as-is so they sound present tense but they are not
Week five, $4000 in lost income now. Perhaps I should consider this my "donation" to publicly-funded services as it’s likely I won’t be able to earn that back
Week five, $4000 in lost income now. Perhaps I should consider this my "donation" to publicly-funded services as it’s likely I won’t be able to earn that back
Thank you! Checking them out
October 23, 2025 at 10:47 PM
Thank you! Checking them out
And some positive (I hope?) news: our strike is now going into mediation, so we may get a resolution soon. Keeping all the fingers crossed 🤞🏻
October 18, 2025 at 12:28 AM
And some positive (I hope?) news: our strike is now going into mediation, so we may get a resolution soon. Keeping all the fingers crossed 🤞🏻
A highlight of the week was taking a small “picket tour” of some of the other lines in downtown Victoria to see what others had going on (like yoga classes! And bike tune ups!) and I stopped to talk with some of my former teammates at other sites.
Also enjoyed lots of baked goods at my site today
Also enjoyed lots of baked goods at my site today
October 18, 2025 at 12:28 AM
A highlight of the week was taking a small “picket tour” of some of the other lines in downtown Victoria to see what others had going on (like yoga classes! And bike tune ups!) and I stopped to talk with some of my former teammates at other sites.
Also enjoyed lots of baked goods at my site today
Also enjoyed lots of baked goods at my site today
Then again, maybe that’s just my experience; This has also led me to reflect that I’m someone who has lots of connections but no close “circle” at work. Plus I am quite awkward 🤣
Side note: I’m very grateful for those who have gone out of their way to say hello to me, those moments have made my day
Side note: I’m very grateful for those who have gone out of their way to say hello to me, those moments have made my day
October 18, 2025 at 12:28 AM
Then again, maybe that’s just my experience; This has also led me to reflect that I’m someone who has lots of connections but no close “circle” at work. Plus I am quite awkward 🤣
Side note: I’m very grateful for those who have gone out of their way to say hello to me, those moments have made my day
Side note: I’m very grateful for those who have gone out of their way to say hello to me, those moments have made my day
…. Or maybe I am just grumpy / lonely / some combo of the two.
But I always think: if I feel that way, others probably do too, and I hate the idea of lots of lonely people being on their own in a group setting that should be more social. So I wonder what would help?
But I always think: if I feel that way, others probably do too, and I hate the idea of lots of lonely people being on their own in a group setting that should be more social. So I wonder what would help?
October 18, 2025 at 12:28 AM
…. Or maybe I am just grumpy / lonely / some combo of the two.
But I always think: if I feel that way, others probably do too, and I hate the idea of lots of lonely people being on their own in a group setting that should be more social. So I wonder what would help?
But I always think: if I feel that way, others probably do too, and I hate the idea of lots of lonely people being on their own in a group setting that should be more social. So I wonder what would help?
Felt a bit frustrated at how cliquey picket sites can be. Small groups huddled together, people sticking to those they know
As a team of 1, I can easily go a whole shift without a single conversation
So, it feel like we’re wasting an incredible opportunity to build new connections & communities…
As a team of 1, I can easily go a whole shift without a single conversation
So, it feel like we’re wasting an incredible opportunity to build new connections & communities…
October 18, 2025 at 12:28 AM
Felt a bit frustrated at how cliquey picket sites can be. Small groups huddled together, people sticking to those they know
As a team of 1, I can easily go a whole shift without a single conversation
So, it feel like we’re wasting an incredible opportunity to build new connections & communities…
As a team of 1, I can easily go a whole shift without a single conversation
So, it feel like we’re wasting an incredible opportunity to build new connections & communities…
Maybe it’s due to not feeling 100% physically but I started to feel really low and defeated this week. Adding up how much income I’ve lost (over $3k at this point) didn’t help.
Reflected on how disempowering it all feels- like we’re a bunch of low value pawns in a politics or numbers game.
Reflected on how disempowering it all feels- like we’re a bunch of low value pawns in a politics or numbers game.
October 18, 2025 at 12:28 AM
Maybe it’s due to not feeling 100% physically but I started to feel really low and defeated this week. Adding up how much income I’ve lost (over $3k at this point) didn’t help.
Reflected on how disempowering it all feels- like we’re a bunch of low value pawns in a politics or numbers game.
Reflected on how disempowering it all feels- like we’re a bunch of low value pawns in a politics or numbers game.
This week I was battling a cold, perhaps due to the shift in weather and being outside most of the day.
But, unlike at work I get no strike pay for illness so I powered through with some decongestants
But, unlike at work I get no strike pay for illness so I powered through with some decongestants
October 18, 2025 at 12:28 AM
This week I was battling a cold, perhaps due to the shift in weather and being outside most of the day.
But, unlike at work I get no strike pay for illness so I powered through with some decongestants
But, unlike at work I get no strike pay for illness so I powered through with some decongestants
Apparently this is the longest public sector strike in BC’s history, so I’m trying to remember that this hardship will hopefully pay off for years.
And that those before me had to go through something similar to earn the benefits I now take for granted
But…I would quite like to get back to work
And that those before me had to go through something similar to earn the benefits I now take for granted
But…I would quite like to get back to work
October 10, 2025 at 8:08 PM
Apparently this is the longest public sector strike in BC’s history, so I’m trying to remember that this hardship will hopefully pay off for years.
And that those before me had to go through something similar to earn the benefits I now take for granted
But…I would quite like to get back to work
And that those before me had to go through something similar to earn the benefits I now take for granted
But…I would quite like to get back to work
On social media, I’ve seen comments saying people won’t be able to make rent this week.
Others saying the government is trying to starve us out.
I’ve tried to see both sides but it’s getting more difficult to believe that the employer cares about resolving this. Still no negotiation scheduled
Others saying the government is trying to starve us out.
I’ve tried to see both sides but it’s getting more difficult to believe that the employer cares about resolving this. Still no negotiation scheduled
October 10, 2025 at 8:08 PM
On social media, I’ve seen comments saying people won’t be able to make rent this week.
Others saying the government is trying to starve us out.
I’ve tried to see both sides but it’s getting more difficult to believe that the employer cares about resolving this. Still no negotiation scheduled
Others saying the government is trying to starve us out.
I’ve tried to see both sides but it’s getting more difficult to believe that the employer cares about resolving this. Still no negotiation scheduled
A plus of this week is that I know more people at this site, so I’ve had lots of convos and catchups. Their picket captains do huddles and themes for each day which helps keep energy up.
But most people at this site are on week six and the vibes are low. Plus it’s very cold and rainy today.
But most people at this site are on week six and the vibes are low. Plus it’s very cold and rainy today.
October 10, 2025 at 8:08 PM
A plus of this week is that I know more people at this site, so I’ve had lots of convos and catchups. Their picket captains do huddles and themes for each day which helps keep energy up.
But most people at this site are on week six and the vibes are low. Plus it’s very cold and rainy today.
But most people at this site are on week six and the vibes are low. Plus it’s very cold and rainy today.
This week I had childcare challenges so I switched to a slightly more convenient picket site because I cannot get to and from my site and picket for 4 hours in the course of a school day due to the long commute.
Not sure if the union officially supports switching but I haven’t had any issues
Not sure if the union officially supports switching but I haven’t had any issues
October 10, 2025 at 8:08 PM
This week I had childcare challenges so I switched to a slightly more convenient picket site because I cannot get to and from my site and picket for 4 hours in the course of a school day due to the long commute.
Not sure if the union officially supports switching but I haven’t had any issues
Not sure if the union officially supports switching but I haven’t had any issues