As we move in to the last days of 2007, I reflect over the last year I recognize what a difficult year it has been for members of CUPE 391. Major changes at VPL have affected all of us and the uncertainty of more change is all that we can count on. I like to think that no matter what is thrown at us, the members of CUPE 391 can rise to the challenge. Remember all that solidarity in the summer and fall? It’s that kind of taking care of each other that will see us through the changes to come.

Since our return to work in October, we’ve all been busy getting back to doing what we do - delivering library services to the people of Vancouver. I’m so proud of our Local and what we tried to address during our first job action ever and how hard we’ve all worked since we came back from the strike.

Your Executive has been busy trying to juggle our day jobs and the business of our Local. It has been a rocky road for us too. We’re tired but still persevering.... some of the things we’ve been doing over the last few weeks are: wrapping up the financial business of the strike (major kudos to Steven!); helping to relocate our members from the bindery; fighting for our LA1’s; investigating the use of surveillance in library work sites; preparing for the next step in our grievance over the criminal record checks; recruiting members to serve on Union committees and just generally trying to promote your interests to the Board and LMT. 

Although several members of the Executive are taking a break over the next two weeks, others will be working away if you need Union support. Leaving a message on the CUPE 391 office phone (604 322 4879) is the best way to reach us.

I hope that you all can get a bit of rest over the holidays and recharge a bit. We’ve got a lot of challenges facing us in the New Year and need participation from lots of you to succeed as a Local. Remember that CUPE 391 rocks and together we’ll be strong.

I join with the rest of the Executive in wishing you all the best for a happy holiday season and get ready to kick ass in the New Year.
In Solidarity,
Laura, CUPE 391 VP

If you haven’t had a chance to pick up your strike pay cheques, I will be in the Union office tomorrow Thursday Decemebrr 13 from 1 to 5PM. Please come by if you can.
Thanks,
Laura Safarian, CUPE 391 VP

Vacation
Winter Ball
Committees
Bursaries
Strike Paycheques
National Day of Remembrance and Action to End Violence Against Women
International Human Rights Day

Vacation
Much as I love my job, I feel the time has come to pull the pin and have a vacation.  I need to recharge the batteries so that we may collectively put our best representation forward.  I also need a fresh supply of cliches and metaphors.  I will be off from December 7, 2007 until January 8, 2008.  The Executive will be either in the office, or checking phones and emails, or all of the above.  Laura is drawing up a schedule, bless her.

Please save minor issues, if you can, until the the New Year.  If you can’t, don’t.  All issues of importance will be dealt with promptly. 

Winter Ball
The Winter Ball is in 4 days!! Saturday, December 8th, 7:30 at the WISE
Hall (1882 Adanac).  This is the social event of the season.  Get pretty, hang out with wonderful peple.

Branches - some of the Very Pretty Ladies Winter Ball organizers will be
visiting branches Tuesday and Wednesday this week to drop off
tickets to those who have pre-ordered. If you are still going to be coming
to the Winter Ball and have not already let Anne Olsen know, please do so as soon
as possible:

Central - tickets will be on sale in the L7 staff lounge on Tuesday and
Thursday from 12:30-1:30

A limited number of tickets will be available at the door on the evening of
the Winter Ball, Dec. 8th, but buy now to avoid disappointment!

Committees
Click November 15 on the President’s Blog for committees. Remember those committees we need you to fill?  Please email or cupe-e by December 7, 2008.

Bursaries
We are accepting applications for the Scholarship program.

Please refer to the CUPE 391 homepage and click on forms: http://cupe391.ca/documents/forms.shtml for information and the application form.
Due to the job interruption (strike) the following modification to the
guidelines apply:

Applicants must be accepted into a course/program beginning January 2008
or currently enrolled this fall semester(September 2007)

Deadline date for submission is December 7,2007. Send your completed
application to Joint CUPE 391-VPL Scholarship Fund Selection Committee, c/o
Human Resources (7th floor, Central Branch).

The selection/awards will take place mid December.

Strike Paycheques
If you are receiving a copy of this message then you have one or more
strike pay cheques waiting for you to come sign for at the union office.
As per CUPE rules you must pick them up in person and be prepared to show
ID.  Please come get them as soon as you can.
All strike financial documentation is shortly due for auditing at CUPE
National headquarters including those sheets you sign when picking up your
strike pay.  If you don’t pick your cheque(s) up the money doesn’t stay
with our local, it goes back to CUPE.
Just think - you have more money just waiting for your Christmas shopping
needs and all you have to do is come get it!
I am in the office most days(M-F) in December except for a few vacation
days near Christmas.  Call to be sure I will be in when you arrive as I
often have to do banking, run errands, etc during the day.  The office
phone number is 604-322-4879 and leave a message if you get no answer.

National Day of Remembrance and Action to End Violence Against Women

On December 6th we remember and mourn the 14 women who were shot down at the Ecole Polytechnique in Montreal in 1989.  We also commit ourselves to action to end violence against women.  An end to violence against women can only come with a commitment to advance women’s equality.  Women continue to experience barriers in the workplace with discrimination, unequal access to training and education, a shortage of affordable housing, waiting lists for subsidized child care, racial discrimination, harassment etc.  This year to mark December 6th, there are a number of ways you can participate to combat violence against women.  Some of them include:

1. Sisters in Spirit Campaign - 5 year campaign of the Native Women’s Association of Canada to raise public awareness of alarming rates of violence against Aboriginal Women.  There are currently 500 missing Aboriginal women in Canada.  Please visit their website at .

2. Amnesty International’s campaign “Speak Out”.  A lobby action is directed at the federal government to reinstate funding to women’s organizations.

3. OXFAM-Canada “We Can End Violence Against Women” is an international campaign with other partner organizations.  It seeks to trigger a person to person reaction of change in attitudes and behaviours.

International Human Rights Day
Okay, Folks.  Get your my Civil City has Pay Equity buttons out and wear them with pride.  Everyday is International Human Rights Day and it has been enshrined in most civilised countries: (a) Remuneration which provides all workers, as a minimum, with:

(i) Fair wages and equal remuneration for work of equal value without distinction of any kind, in particular women being guaranteed conditions of work not inferior to those enjoyed by men, with equal pay for equal work; see International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.

Have many merry holidays and safe ones too.  Love Alex