Monday, August 31, 2009
Please send your questions to
Members are e-mailing us about a variety of issues re: the LAI review. First of all, congratulations on successfully attaining the status of Library Assistant IIs. You also learned something about the Classifications process and may volunteer your services to the Classifications Committee.
- Some of you might be worried about direct public service.You may be eligible for an accommodation.
- Others might be anxious about the possibility of repetitive strain injury.
Shelving may not increase as that function seems to be the chief function of the Shelvers. Again, accommodations may be possible.
- Will you receive the appropriate training? The LAI/LAII Transition Committee is determining what areas of training are required to cover the scope and variety of different worksites at VPL
- How will bench-marking (measuring the need for LAIIs in each worksite) take place? A variety of statistics that measure location activity will be used. The source of these statistics is being decided
- Will the results of bench-making mean that you may have to move to another worksite. This is a possibility
- Will the moves factor in seniority. Yes
- How will my new seniority as an LAII be calculated? The Full-Time LAI and LAII Lists will probably be dovetailed when merged. And, Part-Time LAI and LAII Seniority Lists will also be merged. This is the usual process. Please check the HR web page for the Seniority lists.
- Should I be getting my preferences in for a lateral transfer? Yes. You should always renew your interest in lateral transfers every year regardless. Please check the HR web page for information and forms on lateral transfers.
More good news. If you plan a career at VPL, your pensions will now increase because you will be contributing more. See https://www.pensionsbc.ca/portal/page?_pageid=261,1252776&_dad=portal&_schema=PORTAL and recalculate your pension. More later.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Pivot is hosting the second annual Justice Rocks music festival in Strathcona Park! Join us for live music and this full on festival from 2pm until 8pm, Saturday, August 29th.
Only in it’s second year now, Justice Rocks is attracting a huge site full of party people — skate demos, a dunk tank, three marching bands, b-boy/girl break off, and a carnie birthday party. Nevermind the full line-up that you can check out here on our webpage!
Holding up the perimeters of the event are dozens of Vancouver City Superheros… folks behind some of the most prolific movin’ and shaking environmental justice, social justice, youth groups and campaigns around. Justice Rocks is a powerful movement for progressive change. It’s an outdoor dance party, park takeover and full on celebration for the brilliant work we’re doing around here.
“We wanted to hold an end of the summer party that brings together music and ideas for social change,” said John Richardson, Executive Director of Pivot. “Music has always been an important medium for expressing the importance of values like justice, and we wanted to bring that to the heart of East Van.”
Justice Rocks is going to be the most memorable summer finale yet. Rock in the Park! Saturday, August 29th!
Check out the website to learn more about the festival and how you can get involved as a participating non-profit, a volunteer, or a business sponsor!
http://pivotlegal.org/
Thursday, August 06, 2009
Vancouver Service Review
Important !
Fill out the “Have Your Say” Survey by August 7th
(last day)
Please check your CUPE 391 e-mail for further information regarding the Vancouver Service Review and Survey
in solidarity
Alex
Thursday, August 06, 2009
I often wonder at the banality of the headlines in our local media. Why does the same story get space day after day? Are there few newsworthy events? Why doesn’t the press educate us about the implications of new clauses in our trade agreements so that we don’t continually wake up wondering where our local authority actually lies? Read the latest article from the CUPE National website. http://cupe.ca/trade/moist-premiers-dont-local-purchasing.
Premiers Must Keep Local Purchasing Rights
CUPE National President Paul Moist joined a group of national organizations in signing a statement urging the premiers to reject an amendment to NAFTA that would eliminate the ability for local governments in Canada to give a special preference to local suppliers. The statement was released today to coincide with the meeting of the Council of the Federation in Regina this week.
“Municipal and provincial governments choose to buy from local suppliers for a lot of reasons. They do it not only to create jobs and support Canadian businesses in their communities, but also because they want to support ethical suppliers, reduce environmental impact, or pursue social goals like minority hiring.” Moist said. “It is wrong for the Harper government and premiers to try to take those choices away from local communities.”
Also read British Columbia Library Trustees Association statement on the effects of TILMA (Trade and Investment Labour Mobility Agreement) and local control. This has been promoted by some provincial governments as an opportunity to make it easier to have your professional credentials accepted from province to province.
TILMA – Key Implications for BC Libraries by Ellen Gould
Introduction
On April 1, 2007 the Trade, Investment and Labour Mobility Agreement came into force in BC And Alberta. As of that date, the agreement governed a wide range of governmental measures1 in the two provinces. In addition, more government bodies and measures affecting specific sectors will be covered after a transition period ending on April 1, 2009.
The most immediate impact of TILMA on BC libraries is that unless they obtain changes to the agreement they are likely to have to tender far more contracts. They also may see TILMA challenges to library service provision in the public sector and to any of their standards, guidelines, regulations or administrative practices that restrict commercial interests. Read on. http://www.bclta.org/tilma.html
After reading these articles are you worried about the ability of your local library to acquire and maintain the cultural and historical collections of your library? You should be. The future for collections that reflect our communities looks bleak if the amendment to NAFTA goes through. Write your municipal, provincial and federal representatives and let them know that a One Hundred Mile Cultural and Intellectual Diet is both green and sustainable.
City of Vancouver
http://vancouver.ca/ctyclerk/mayorcouncil/index.htm
Province of British Columbia
http://www.leg.bc.ca/
Government of Canada
http://www.parl.gc.ca/common/index.asp?Language=E
