CUPE 391 will be presenting a report on the placement of members names on the VPL website and in other areas, to the Library Board Trustees on May 28th at 5.30 p.m. in the Board Room at Central Library.  Several members have brought very legitimate concerns to the Union and to Management.

• Uttered threats from public


• Stalking


• Violence


• Identity theft (unusual names)

We need your help.  Is it possible that you can speak directly to the Board and tell them your story?  We believe this would have a far greater impact than members of the Executive bringing your issues to the Board.  If you feel that you cannot not be part of a delegation, could you please send us your history/objections/reasons so that we might add them to our paper?

Because of members concerns and the changes to established policy, the Union filed a grievance. Management recognised that we needed to discuss this matter.  We have put the grievance in abeyance while we pending discussion.  The Grievance Chair and First Vice president and I met with members of the Directors Group at different times to discuss aspects of this.  We explained how the lack of communication and absence of a communications plan was very disruptive to the membership and reflected the results of the employee survey. The full implementation of the publication of members has been delayed consequently. 

An exemption policy has been introduced .  The exemption process still seems to have punitive elements.  Some staff could care less; others are outraged that names on ID tags have been reintroduced as policy.  We are hoping that the Board will agree that members should be able to volunteer to allow their names on the VPL website or name tag, rather than go through an exemption procedure.  The policy may fail through the grievance process or the Board may feel that your reasons should prevail.  Please think about giving your reasons in person as part of a delegation to the Board on May 28th.  It’s about choice.

If you decide to participate, please phone 604-331-4003 or 604-331-4094 and give notice of your intentions.  Chairs need to be set up in advance.

In solidarity
Alex

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When CUPE Local 391 called off job action, we vowed to take our fight to achieve pay equity and end gender discrimination for library workers to other venues.  Well, other venues are beckoning.

2008 Municipal Elections Saturday, November 15, 2008, 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

CUPE Local 391 had three political visitors to our AGM: Councillor Raymond Louie, MLA Gregor Robertson and former Councillor Ellen Wordsworth.  Raymond Louie (see bio) and Gregor Robertson (see bio) are both seeking the Vision nomination for mayor.  These people would like our support.

On Sunday, June 15, Vision members will get to decide who will be Vision’s candidate for Mayor. To be eligible to vote at the meeting, you must be a Vision member by May 15th.  Ideally, Vision would like to receive your membership by May 7th so we have time to process it. 

The June 15th nomination meeting will be held at the Croatian Cultural Centre, located at 3250 Commercial Drive.

COPE - The Coalition of Progressive Electors will have their Annual meeting and election of candidates in September.  We will keep you informed of events and nominations for COPE candidates.

Do you to hear what the candidates for Mayor think about the issues? On Wednesday, May 21st, The Tyee and 24hrs will host a Vision all-candidates debate. Click here for more details. The Great Debate

Are you on the List of Electors?

Do I qualify to vote?

You may vote in a BC local election as a resident elector if you:

• are a Canadian citizen;
• are 18 years of age or more on general voting day;


• have lived in BC for at least 6 months before you register to vote;

and

• have lived in the for 30 days or more before you register to vote.

I own property in the City of Vancouver but do not live in the City of Vancouver; can I vote?

As a non-resident property owner

Vancouver Sun Friday May 2. 2008:A1, H4

British Columbia has the lowest median wages in the country. For the two million women in this province, it is difficult to look at these figures with any sense of pride, since the lack of provincially legislated pay equity language supports

Today is May Day. Do not dress up as Morris dancers and clog around a pole. May Day is also 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. 

This year, CUPE Local 391, Vancouver Public Library Workers and Local 410, the Greater Victoria Public Library workers, went on strike and were locked out, respectively, for a common cause: to end gender discrimination and achieve Pay Equity.  Well, CUPE 391 didn’t get it, but CUPE 410 did.  We learned how to fight and find common ground with other disenfranchised groups.

Our Director of Human Resources tells us that Paul Whitney, Vancouver Public Library’ City Librarian, could not attend the forum for the our lowest paid classifications, the Shelvers, the Library Assistant I’s and the Library Assistant II’s as he was touring Ireland.  She hoped that Paul would have a pint on our behalf.  Have a pint of Pay Equity for us, Paul.  That’s what we’re really thirsty for. 

Happy May Day, everyone.  Let us unite and end gender discrimination today!