Vancouver Public Library’s organization and its CUPE Local 391 members publicly and personally support the International Day Against Homophobia through our policies, Collective Agreement and Pride activism.

My grandfather’s cousin, Charlotte Whitton, was mayor of Ottawa in the 1950’s and 60’s.  She live openly with her life partner, a rather retiring woman, until her death.  My family’s take on Charlotte “at least she’s not a mormon, like Aggie”.  Agnes McPhail was my grandmother’s cousin.  She was the first woman Member of Parliament.  My family has never been too hung up on what your sex was; the really important thing was - are you a Scottish Presbyterian?

Over the years and many gay and lesbian, Lutherans, Roman Catholics, Romanian Orthodox relatives later, my family is finally becoming educated about Human Rights and dignity beyond the confines of the Ottawa Valley.

This year the theme for the International Day against Homophobia is education.  Please have a look at the website for the campaign today. http://www.homophobiaday.org/default.aspx?scheme=3335

Also, see the Declaration of Montreal - the LBGT Bill of human rights developed at the first World Outgames.  http://www.homophobiaday.org/default.aspx?scheme=3293

Visit the Social Sciences section in your branch

Join a parade.  Check Ross Bliss’s emails for further information about the Pride parade on BC Day.  CUPE 391’s theme celebrates diversity - the Village People

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Please read about the current state of Canadian public libraries at http://cupe.ca/www/news/read_it_and_weep

You will find the situations and stories very familiar.

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The Atlanta mayor will speak at the Board of Trade breakfast at the Pan Pacific Vancouver Chrystal Pavillion (999 Canada Place)

The election results on April 29th for CUPE 391 are as follows:

President: Alex Youngberg

Vice President: Ed Dickson (2nd year)

Vice President: Laura Safarian (1st year)

Secretary-Treasurer: Steven Turner

Recording Secretary: Mike DePaoli

Members at Large:

Peter DeGroot
Aili Meutzner

Aliza Nevarie

Inder Pannu

Trustees Peggy Watkins

Gerard Batty

1 three year postision as a trustee to be filled at next General Meeting

None of the positions were contested this year.  I am not quite sure what that means but we will continue to ask for your support and input at every opportunity.  The Executive appreciates the talent, creativity and hard work that was expended by various members last term.  We will be asking for your support very soon.

May 30, 2007 at 5.30 pm is the new date for the Board meeting.  The result of this meeting will affect the very core of what it means to be a union member.  Support your brothers and sisters in the Bindery on this date.  The loss of their jobs will completely change how the library develops and maintain the collection.  This will be a blow to public service and to the membeship.

Today was May Day.  No, this does not mean we dress up as Morris dancers and clog around a pole.  May Day is referred to as International Workers Day.  Unions all over the world remember those who fought for the eight hour day and lost their lives in the Haymarket tragedy in 1886.  Today, people are fighting for and affirming the rights of workers to have decent jobs and food on the table.  Remember the Bindery workers, your members, May 30.  Come and support them; support public service.

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