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 (temporarily) to sisters Laura Safarian and Elektra Harris, and brothers Peter DeGroot and Todd Wong.  All of these members have raised awareness of the important work of library workers in the community.  They have also helped build coalitions with other community-building groups.  We can still ask advice and support from these wonderful unionists, but must respect that sometimes a period of renewal through other endeavours is a benefit to all.  These members will be continuing on union committees.

CUPE 391 had the pleasure of having the new Regional Director, Robin Jones, preside over our elections.  Robin has a very firm hand on the tiller.  He was gracious and efficient.  Thank you, Robin.

Here are the results of last night’s election:

2nd Vice President: Mark Whittam

Four members-at-large:

Jacob Breen
Ed Dickson
Randy Gatley
Kathy Juszko

Recording Secretary: Mike DePaoli

Three year term Trustee: Gerard Batty

President: Alex Youngerg
Sister Inder Pannu continues in her position as 1st Vice-president, keeping us orderly.  Yay Inder!
Brother Steven Turner continues in his position as Secretary-Treasurer, keeping us accountable.  Yay Steven!

Our other two trustees soldier on, keeping Steven accountable (not that he needs it): Aili Meutzner and Debra McGerrigle.

Thank you to the talented, smart and creative people that are on our committees.  Your support keeps public service thriving as a public good.  In these tough economic times the libraries free services: job search, help with research, collections with ESOL materials, popular fiction, DVDs, games, and much, much more, will be necessary than ever.

Bike to Work week is May 11-17, 2009.  Talk to your committee about events.

The CUPE 391 information address is info@cupe391.ca

Thank you, Eric, for our excellent and comprehensive CUPE 391 e-email service. (see 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.

in solidarity

Alex

The United Steel Workers union (1-3567) which cleans BCIT, is on strike.  Their employer is Compass, the international company who are also the cleaning contractor for Vancouver Island Health Authority.  Compass has received 16 separate work orders regarding health and safety citations from the WCB in 2008 for their practice at VIHA.

Our CUPE 391 members who are students at BCIT are observing the picket lines and are picketing in support of USW 1-3567.  Classes are not disrupted, just the cleaning.  There is a Bar-be-que tomorrow between 2.30 and 4.00 p.m.  Drop in and pick up a sign “in support of” USW 1-3567.  The members will appreciate the solidarity.

Alex

Please click on the link below for the final report of the Canada-wide symposium on digitization that was held at UBC.  It is unfortunate that VPL Librarians were unable to attend as you would have found much value in this inclusive gathering of information specialists from all sectors.  Speakers restated the importance of having subject specialists to classify documents when preparing them for digitisation and the world wide web.

http://symposium.westbeyondthewest.ca/final_report.php

For those of you attending the BC Library Conference - see Friday, April 17, BC Digitization Showcase session (F26). This session will provide an update on the symposium, as well as interesting examples of what’s happening with digitization in British Columbia.

Digitization of our common cultural heritage is a priority for all of us. 

CUPE 391 - Please support the Grand March for Housing April 4 with your active participation at

Downloads and contact information at http://www.citywidehousingcoalition.org/
Join us at one of these starting points at Noon:

* Thornton Park @ Main St. Skytrain Station
* Hastings and Main
* Peace Flame Park, south end of Burrard St. Bridge

Vancouver Art Gallery
(Georgia St.) 1:30pm