Jack Layton will be remembered as a fighter. From his first political steps as a young man to the amazing surge of the federal NDP in this year’s spring election to his fight with cancer he always embraced the struggle.

It was this tenacity that endeared him to people all over Canada. To many he was simply known as Jack and in Vancouver on Monday night some five hundred people gathered at the Art Gallery in a vigil for him.

It was a beautiful event with NDP activists and supporters holding candles. I held a CUPE flag which drifted gently in the evening breeze. It was fitting that after the day’s heavy rains the clouds cleared. As candles glowed people talked of Jack and grieved. I chatted with an old friend - we knew each from our activism with the BC Health Coalition. Our interaction, just one of many such conversations taking place.

I got home at about 10pm and went online to Youtube where I found a video of Jack singing at the 2005 Parliamentary Press Gallery Dinner. The event typically has a satirical edge to it and that year was no exception with Jack singing his own lyrics to the tunes of three popular songs.

‘King of the Road’ became ‘Party For Sale or Rent’ with Jack making fun of himself, his party and the general state of federal politics at that time. The medley continued with ‘Nobody knows you when you’re down and out’ again with different and comical lyrics. He ended with a variant of the Barenaked Ladies ‘If I had a million dollars’ becoming ‘If I Had Another $48.6 billion dollars’.

As Jack left the stage that night - the musician accompanying him sang Hit The Road Jack. That night Jack left the stage of the press gallery dinner but yesterday he departed this life. He will be greatly missed, but what a legacy!

Jack Layton’s letter to Canadians
http://media.thestar.topscms.com/acrobat/a8/44/ffee8eaa4928bb2bc366f943f7af.pdf

obituary from The Toronto Star
http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/article/1043514--jack-layton-dead-at-61

Statement from Barry O’Neill, President CUPE BC
http://www.cupe.bc.ca/news/2241

Statement from Paul Moist, National President CUPE
http://cupe.ca/paul-moist/paul-moist-remembers-jack-layton

Gary

The Executive recently developed goals and objectives at the annual think tank with the new executive, When we reviewed previous year’s goals and objectives, the matter of the joint Staff Recognition Committee, we found that we had not completed on the Union’s request to have only Canadian, union-made items.  We had put this forward as an agenda item several times but the committee found this mandate difficult to fulfill as Canadian, union-made items are not readily accessible and can be expensive,

At the U/M meeting this morning we had a discussion with management regarding the Staff Recognition Committee.  Management would like the executive to write a cheque for $1,700 for the items that have to be ordered for the exempt and union members that are to be honoured this year (October).  Some of the items will have both the Library’s and the Union’s logo.  Some items will be union-made. Some may be made in China and not be union-made.  Our 1st vice-president, Gerard, has been valiantly scouring “union-made” catalogues lately and has had some success.  We thoroughly appreciate his efforts.

For the rest of this blog and the important survey question (it involves CUPE 391’s money), please check your CUPE 391 email at www.cupe391.ca.  If you don’t remember your password, email accounts@cupe391.ca. 

in solidarity

Alex

History of CUPE 391

On February 24, 1931 a meeting was called to organize the staff of the Vancouver Public Library into an association. Miss S. Fisher; acting as chairman called meeting to order. The following officers were elected:

President - Miss Sarah Fisher
Secretary - Miss Isabel McTavish
Treasurer - Miss Marjorie Sing

It was moved by Miss Robertson that we try to raise $50 to take out a contributing membership in the America Library Association. The same matter was to be taken up at a meeting of the Library Board the first Friday in March.
A discussion followed as to the nature of this organization whether it be purely for business or combine social. The matter was not settled. The meeting adjourned.
- the first minutes of the Vancouver Public Library Staff Association.

CUPE 391, (Vancouver, Gibsons and Sechelt Public Library Workers) have been invited by the City of Vancouver to participate in celebrating Vancouver’s 125th birthday.  The City is interested in the history of the organised library workers and also, what talents that we might be interested in bringing to the party.

The Party:

LOCATION:  Hillcrest Centre - Hillcrest Centre is located beside Nat Bailey Stadium at 4575 Clancy Loranger Way, at Ontario Street and 30th Avenue. Entry is on the west side (facing Midlothian Avenue and Queen Elizabeth Park).

WHEN:  JUNE 23, 2011 - 5.00 P.M

WHO CAN PARTICIPATE? All artists and musicians welcome!  There are places and spaces for you everywhere.  This not only or the historians (though we need you too).  CUPE 391 has many talented and brilliant people.  We would love to help you participate.  Let’s show them why the public loves the library workers.  So far - David will be running two movies in a continuous loop on my Mum’s 40 inch screen.  We will be organising a photo/dieo montage of CUPE 391 and organised VPL libraryworkers through the last eighty years. Please send your ideas and support to info@cupe.ca or executive@cupe391.ca

What is the Hall of History?
During the event the upper level gymnasium will be called the ‘Hall of History’. It will feature a variety of historic exhibits related to City staff.

Who will have exhibits in the Hall of History?
To date the participants include the Vancouver Police Museum, Park Board, Library, Fire and Rescue Services, Museum of Vancouver, Teamsters 31, CUPE 391, Fire Fighters Local 18 IAFF and CUPE 15.

What are the gymnasium dimensions?
The room is about 28 x 18 m (90’ x 60’)

How much space do exhibitors have?
The size and shape of each exhibit is different and there is room for everyone.

What is the lighting like?
A large bank of windows along the north side provides lots of natural lighting. No additional lighting is required.

Are there electrical outlets?
Yes – lots of them.

What display materials will be provided?
Tables and chairs will be provided on request. Please bring anything else you need for your display.

Can the walls be used for posters or photographs?
Yes there are locations with wall space available on a ‘first come first served’ basis. There are also basketball hoops that banners could hang from.

Does the gymnasium floor need to be protected?
The floor has a very durable finish. Street shoes can be worn with no problem. However, it would be appreciated if you could carry display materials to and from your display area rather than dragging them.

What is the load-in and set-up procedure?
Your display materials can be delivered to the gym one or two days before the event. A schedule will be distributed that includes information on where to park for loading and unloading. Materials can be picked up on June 24.

How secure are the premises?
The building is completely secure. It is not open to the public.

I was working the elections today on my day off and neglected to post the results of the CUPE 391 election. Mea culpa.

Thank you, CUPE 391!

Our annual general meeting had much to celebrate last night.  There are some sad moments, too, as the Executive says good-bye to Randy Gatley.  We wil miss you at Union Management meetings. We can still ask advice and support, but must respect that sometimes a period of renewal through other endeavours is a benefit to all.

CUPE 391 had the pleasure of having our Staff Representative, Meena Brisard, preside over our elections. \meena has already been helpful with grievances. She was gracious and efficient in her role last night, also.  Thank you, Meena.  We wish you much joy with the birth of your second child.

Here are the results of last night’s election:

Recording Secretary: Mike DePaoli

Four members-at-large:

Renee Chalut
Jane Curry
Laurin Shadforth
Mark Whittam

President: Alex Youngberg

Second Vice-President: Gary Jarvis was elected to a two year term.

The Secretary-Treasurer and two Vice-President positions are two year terms. Two VP positions are staggered.  Gerard is now First Vice-President. Steven continues in his second year as Secretary-Treasurer.

Our three trustees soldier on, keeping Steven accountable (not that he needs it):

Trustees:

Aili Muetzner was elected to a three year term as trustee.
Maureen Bubis and Todd Wong continue their terms

Our trustee positions are also 3 years each and staggered; so that currently one trustee has one year left to serve of a 3 year term, one trustee is filling two years of a position that was vacated after one year and the third trustee is beginning to fill a 3 year term.

Thank you to the talented, smart and creative people that are on our committees.  Your support keeps public service thriving as a public good. 

Please become more familiar with your CUPE 391 website.  It has been winning the best website for unions over 500 members for many years.  Thank you, Eric, for our excellent and comprehensive CUPE 391 e-email service. (see http://www.cupe391.ca, top left hand corner of web page for log in).  All members now have an address.  Union contacts should email info@cupe391.ca for instructions on how to initially log in, then share the information with their respective worksites.

The Union has elected an excellent group of members to protect the collective agreement and work for the public’s interest.  You can be proud that you showed up and voted in good numbers for representation.

in solidarity

Alex

April 28
National Day of Mourning

Remember the Dead; Fight for the Living

April 28 is the National Day of Mourning for workers killed, injured or who become ill as a result of unsafe working conditions.  In 1984 CUPE’s National Health and Safety Committee proposed the idea for a day to honour workers injured or killed at work. This year will mark the 27th National Day of Mourning and it will be recognized in more than a hundred countries around the world.  On April 28 Canadians from coast to coast to coast will hold ceremonies to recognize workers who have lost their lives in 2010.  Among the many workers who will be remembered on April 28, here in B.C. CUPE members will mourn and remember Jo-Ann Fuller and Ivan Polivka, two paramedics who died in the line of duty on October 19.

• Thursday, April 28
• 8 to 9 am
• Hastings Park
• (corner of Hastings & Renfrew)
• (parking at Gate 2)
• Vancouver

The BC Federation of Labour and Vancouver and District Labour Council invite you to pay tribute to workers who have been injured or killed on the job or died of an occupational disease.

Speakers include:

• Jim Sinclair, President, BC Federation of Labour
• Ken Georgetti, President, Canadian Labour Congress
• Geoff Meggs, Deputy Mayor of Vancouver

Featuring:  The Vancouver Fire Rescue Services Honour Guard and Piper

Bring your union banners and invite co-workers, friends, and family members to attend.