We look forward to working with Mayor Robertson and city council to make the public library system continue to be accessible for all.  Remember, it was Gregor Robertson who instructed us to approach the Library Board and ask for Social Return on Investment study for the library and we got it.  It will be getting a workout this year when we prepare for the public hearings on the operating budget;

I am reading the City of Vancouver’s preliminary budget report (see http://vancouver.ca/ctyclerk/cclerk/20111215/documents/csbu1.pdf) to see what the future may hold for us.  Some of the news is good, some not so good.  Applications for development are up at the City but that does not translate into instant money for the operating budget.  The shortfall OF $52,000,000 will likely be pared down between now and the end of March, 2012, as the City staff strive to find savings.  The good news is that the tax shift from business to property owners (Municipal Tax Levy Distribution) is in its final year.  There will be an approximate .25 % shift to the property owners from business this year and that is it! (p.10)

In report note:
Summary of Budget pressures p. 2
Project Summary: Outcomes to date of Vancouver Service Review, Shared Services, etc.  p. 5
Note: incremental savings related to the VSR transformation opportunities will be considered in the final 2012 budget.  This is the last year of the VSR project. Next steps: Warehousing and Manufacturing; Public Works

Preliminary Budget position - shows where the shortfall is p. 9

Public Consultation:
phone survey - 500+ responses
Budget Basics information booklet - how and where taxes are spent
central web hub - talkvancouver.com with a budget calculator tool
public open house

See Appendix I for revenues and revenue expenditures

2. Bargaining
We are confident that the proposals ratified at the December 4. 2011 meeting reflect the issues raised in the bargaining surveys, committees, shop stewards and single members.  It was very interesting study in union democracy.  Further definitions of bargaining language and regional issues will be presenting themselves. See http://www.cupe391.ca/blogs/bargaining_2012/ for bargaining blogs, bulletins.  At this time we have not served notice.  This action signifies the official commencement of the collective bargaining process and can be delivered by either party.  However, should neither party to the agreement serve notice to commence bargaining, then the Code provides that the notice is deemed to have been given 90 days prior to expiry of the agreement. 

Bargaining will be managed for the Employer by Roper Greyall, Employment and Labour lawyers.  They represented the City of Vancouver during the round of bargaining with the police.  The VPD managed to get theri first contract ever without going to labour mediation.  We are cautiously optimistic.

RFID
We have signed off on an Letter of Understanding for RFID (radio frequency identity tagging).  Normally, the Union would grieve all jobs that were vacant and not posted.  As the technology of RFID does replace some of the circulation job description, it is a losing proposition.  What is a win for the Union is that now all vacant positions have to properly benchmarked to prove that the work is still there or not.  I have been trying to get this through the grievance process for about six years.  Also, RFID will be discussed at the joint Technological Change and Classification committees rather that separate committees that are not union appointed.  The letter will be posted with our other LOUs on the CUPE 391 website.

Jobshare
We are very close to signing off on a new Jobshare letter of understanding.  It will be very like the CUPE 15 letter. 
Improvements benefits for part-timers with 4 regular hours in addition to their job share hours - if a P/T employee has 4 or more Regular Part Time hours in addition to their job share hours, these can be added to the 17.5 job-share hours to make 20+ hours and thus are eligible for benefits.
Options for sharing beyond 50/50. Hours of work for each of the participants in a job hare unit may be shared on a 50/50 split (17.5 hours each) or a 60/40 split (21 + 14 hours each) and an 80/20 split. 

All new job-shares would be coming off the compressed. The Employer has said that they will not approve job shares on a compress and or will cancel current LOU, so the point becomes moot.  The new Letter has some definite benefits.  Talk to your Job-share committee about it and come to the General Meeting on January 25th and vote on the Letter.

Classifications
Your representatives on both committees have alternated between being very fiery and restrained.  They have accomplished a set of guidelines for the classification processes (see HR manual 520) and achieve an LOU Classification Review Appeal Process letter of understanding (affectionately known as C.R.A.P.).  When the Employer requires updated job descriptions, they must now ask the Union Classification representatives to participate as we are the bargaining agent for members.  So, remember, do not go off on your own with the Employer and write your job description.  Call your union representatives.  The same applies when your position is being reviewed.  Call your representative; do not do this on your own.

Communications
Our local is very fortunate to be gifted with some terrific communications people.  We thank Chris and Erik every time we use their award-winning CUPE 391 website. So use it more often and our great e-mail system.  Dana and Anne have done an incredible job of supporting our new Stewards committee with the Steward’s Minute.  Please use this resource at your staff meetings and share the information with your co-workers.  Dana has redesigned Off the Shelf and it is a thriving voice for our local.  Gary, our vice-president, and roaring proponent of the part timers, also contributes.  And Thank You, James, for the glorious art work for the CUPE 391 Cabaret poster.

Grievances
We have three grievances heading for arbitration, one is the Terry Selman exempt manager position. The grievances vary: some letters of expectation, discipline, and ageism.  Do not try problem-solving with manager over coffee for off-the-record conversations.  These conversations have shown up in three grievances as proof of insubordinate behaviour.  The kind of labour relations where issues could be problem-solved was practiced in the 1990’s but has not been in evidence much in the last nine years.  Get help from your Grievance Committee. We are good at what we do and remarkably tenacious.  The talent is first-rate; we could definitely use more support.  There is a budget for education and labor relations experience looks great on your resume.

Ergonomics
We had a union representative from the RSI committee attend telecommuting situation lately.  Our member has some excellent resources and practices for proper ergonomic conditions.  This member is also on the Wellness Committee (new members are welcome) so we might look at creating a bibliography of useful ergonomic websites.  I was very impressed with our members knowledge.

Social
The fabulous David Philip and his partner Sloane Garrett’s videos have been featured on Shaw’s channel 4.  The final night to catch these videos is tomorrow, Saturday January 6th at 7 pm on Channel 4..  ICTV and Shaw TV have put together a 30 minute programme which includes the films:

Exploring The Vancouver Public Library (re-edited to include Terry Salman Branch)
VPL at Work (made for the Vancouver CLA conference)
Terry Salman Branch Opens!
also includes the poignant farewell to Riley Park branch
The show times were and are:

Sat. Dec 31, 10:30 PM
Mon. Jan 2, 11:00 AM
Sat. Jan 7, 10:30 PM

These men also brought us the CUPE 391 Cabaret with a naughty award-winning movie and a cast of thousands of itinerant library workers.  Some excellent local poets (some from staff) and Adrian Dix turned up to watch his wife, Renee Saklikar perform.  A big thanks to our tireless talent promoter, Todd Wong for managing the poetry presentation.  BC wine and cheese was served.

Environmental Awareness
Our Environmental Awareness Committee’s chair, Keith Edwards, is getting some recognition for his work.  Our Keith has been appointed to VPL’s Sustainability Committee.  Keith has also worked along with the Peddle Pushers Committee and Union/Management Committee in lobbying for 40 more bike spaces.  Everyone’s persistence has paid off.  This is where common cause between union and management works so well.  May it flourish in the years to come.

Pensions - CPP
you need to be aware that changes to the Canada Pension Plan (CPP) have been finalized and those changes will be put into effect January 1, 2012.  While these changes are being implemented over a five-year period their intention is to encourage
workers to remain in the workforce longer and not to collect their CPP early.  The new changes bring a greater reduction in benefits at age 60 and a greater increase up to age 70. The table outlines the percentage of reduction that will be phased in over the next five years. Once you begin receiving CPP and decide not to return to work, the percentage increase or decrease is permanent. CPP is indexed annually, and your pension will adjust based on increases in
the cost of living. Anyone returning to work before age 65 will recommence contributions and if you are returning to work between ages 65 and 70, you have a choice to contribute or not.  On January 1, 2012, if you are working or not, contributors can begin receiving their CPP benefits. If you continue to work and receive CPP benefits, you must continue to contribute to CPP until age 65. You will receive a Canada Pension Plan Statement of Contributions from Service Canada which outlines CPP contribution history and projects an anticipated CPP benefit at age 65. If you have not received a CPP statement in the last two years, contact Service Canada at 1-877-454- 4051 and ask for one.

Our defined benefits municipal pension plan is become a rare object of desire.  It is a guaranteed for life pension and produces the best results over time.  Our pension plan is jointly trusteed thanks to the former NDP government.  These are one of the many benefits of being a union member.

Ken Haycock’s Scope
No RFP was put out for a review of the organization and the responsibilities of the Directors and Managers.  Ken Haycock was offered this opportunity for $15,000.  There is no published report as of yet, but a powerpoint presentation that was shown to exempt staff has staff and the membership buzzing with some knowledge and some speculation, Ken Haycock will be giving a verbal presentation at the Library Board meeting on January 25, 5.30 pm.  Phone or email Chysalyn Tolentino if you wish to attend.  The question is being bruited about whether it will be in camera or not.  I have reminded Sandra Singh of Clause 6. Changes Affecting the Agreement - we are to be accorded reasonable time to consider the material and make a representation.

Look at what is happening to the C.A.W. Electro-motive plant in London, Ontario, recently taken over by Caterpillar.  Shades of HEU and Bill 29.  The proposal to half their wages will leave the workers with less than a living wage.  Axing their pensions will reduce them to penury.  Thank our North America trade acts for allowing these foreign organisations to bring their third world practices into our country and reshape it to suit their endless, glutinous greed.  If our country’s parliament does not stop these anti-labour practices, then the only conclusion we can reach is that they are in collusion with these bums.  Watch our provincial players carefully and vote with solidarity in mind in 2013.  We have fought for worklife balance and that is all we ask.  We are entitled to it because we earn it and give back in so many ways to the communities we are proud to serve.  And we are of these communities.

Thanks again to all our wonderful members who show in so many ways that we support each other as we protect our public’s service.  You have helped me this year and other members who have lost loved ones.  We are fortunate to be public library workers and part of glorious CUPE 391.

We hope these next few days spent with family and friends bring you joy, peace and relaxation.  Towards the end of next week we will send out our letter of how the year was and what it all means.  There are some successes and continuing areas of concern.  There seems to be a pattern in all of this.  Over the years former presidents and executives have hoped the year past the election, or bargaining or budget cuts would bring a year of rebuilding relationships with the employer and reconnecting with our biggest supporters, the public.  If we work flat out we get 50% of what we want, so make sure you come to the General Meeting, January 25th, 2012, (Robbie Burns Day, another great holiday, albeit another guy being toasted) and let us know your concerns.

This year some of us lost those near and very dear to us.  It alters how we spend our time during these holidays but I am learning that that is a good thing. Christmas was always about my mother.  Huge feasts and celebrations with friends. Celebration of music, light and glorious kitsch.  Much too much money spent on gifts. Some of it wandered into community support.  My mother died January 21st of this year and we lost my eldest sister December 18, 2000.  The immediate family is getting whittled down but is resilient due to help from family and friends.  We thank all of you for your support, Those of you that have lost loved ones may be feeling the gamut of emotions; anger, sorrow and loneliness.  I am thankful that we have so much evidence of my mum as a “life well lived”.  I have lost my biggest cheerleader so I am only letting go gradually.

My brother and I are spending this holiday season with friends and extended family, some of whom knew my mum when she was twenty-eight, about ten years before I was thought of.  My brother and John Okronog are exchanging seasonal and ethnic insults.  “ Why is the Swedish Epiphany on January 6, and later Hilarymas on January 13, which ends the Christmas season in Sweden?  Because it took longer to find three wise men in Sweden.” Oh ja?” Well, why is Ukrainian Christmas on January 7th?  Because is took longer to find three wise men and a virgin”. These men are about ten and twelve years older than me and reflect the northern culture of mining towns in Canada.  Every new wave of immigration in Canada took its knocks in ways that are fortunately now considered to be not the answer when building strong communities.  Vive la Commission Canadienne des droits de las personne.

My roommate is a Kosovar of Albanian extraction.  She celebrates both Muslim and Roman Catholic holidays as she is secular in practice.  She seems to be able to feast and fast, and dance a lot more than me.  My Jewish relations, the Kronenbergs, used to have a secular approach to their faith but are now spending the Hanukkah holidays in closer communion with their children.  Their history as a people is now celebrated and their faith brought more into practice with the next generation.

My brother, roommate are not exchanging gifts this year.  With mum not with us for the first time at Christmas, we thought we should take our gift money and buy a holiday in Hawaii.  We depart on Ukrainian Christmas.  Two days ago, we received the best expression of the meaning of Christmas.  We received a phone call from a friend in Merrit.  He had a detached retina and was driving to Vancouver General to have it reattached.  He had already been sent to Kamloops and Kelowna.  The doctor in Kelowna said we don’t do that kind of surgery here, what are you thinking of?  Fortunately, he was able to hook him up the VGH eye clinic on the eve of December 22nd.  I paged the doctor at 7 pm that Dave was on his way.  Reid drove him in from White Rock as Dave’s vision was getting progressively worse.  The doctor froze his eye and prepped him for surgery in the morning.  We drove him in, he had a very successful surgery and he is recuperating in the Youngberg residences.  Our Canadian medical system does deliver in emergency surgeries.  Great doctor.  Left his home in the evening to make sure that the operation could wait until the morning.  Reid and I were rather giddy with happiness that we were given the opportunity to help.  Tis better to give than receive, as they say.  But you cannot have my Hawaiian holiday.

However you celebrate, may it bring you pleasure, peace and a safe and happy time!. Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, and God Jul.  Hardy wait to get into the Lutefisk!

Love to all and to all a good night

Alex

Five years and a bit of time have passed since we last ratified bargaining proposals.  More people participated in the survey this time and were very clear on what our issues should be.  The Bargaining Committee sorted this information and found that members as a group were consistent in what you wanted to protect and expand.  All will be revealed at the meeting as we are not inclined to share bargaining strategies with the Employer.  Other information will be sent through your CUPE 391 e-mail.  Please write to info@cupe391,ca or askbargaining@cupe391.ca if you are having trouble accessing your address.

Note: the Job-Share Committee would like the opportunity to discuss proposed changes the Job-Share Letter of understanding.  There are some interesting proposed changes that offer some advantages to part-time and auxiliary members.

It is vitally important to our local that our members show up and ratify what you filled in the surveys.  With the seven day week it becomes more difficult to find a time that is outside of libraries hours of opening.  Sunday, December 4 @ 6.30 pm is not ideal but it is the only time that we can all be together at a civilised hour.  Bargaining contract language governs how we are paid, what we are paid, our quality of work life balance and the kind of public service we can offer our citizens that we serve with integrity, respect and pride.  Please come on Sunday to the Maritime Labour Centre, have your say and vote on your future.

in solidarity

Alex

Download poster

MAYOR
Robertson, Gregor – Vision Vancouver

COUNCIL
Aquino, RJ - COPE
Deal, Heather - Vision Vancouver
Jang, Kerry - Vision Vancouver
Louie, Raymond - Vision Vancouver
Louis, Tim - COPE
Meggs, Geoff - Vision Vancouver
Reimer, Andrea - Vision Vancouver
Stevenson, Tim - Vision Vancouver
Tang, Tony - Vision Vancouver
Woodsworth, Ellen - COPE

PARK BOARD
Barnes, Constance - Vision Vancouver
Blyth, Sarah - Vision Vancouver
Granby, Brent - COPE
Greenwell-Baker, Donalda - COPE
Jasper, Aaron - Vision Vancouver
Loke, Trevor - Vision Vancouver
Sharma, Niki - Vision Vancouver

SCHOOL BOARD
Bacchus, Patti - Vision Vancouver
Blakey, Al - COPE
Bouey, Jane - COPE
Clement, Ken - Vision Vancouver
Giesbrecht, Gwen - COPE
Lombardi, Mike - Vision Vancouver
Payne, Cherie - Vision Vancouver
Wong, Allan - COPE
Wynen, Rob - Vision Vancouver

We have had the worst economy to contend with in the last century, brought about by an unfettered lack of controls on capitalist ventures.  It is our pay cheques and sacrifices that has helped the bailouts.  Yet we hear from the Canadian Taxpayers Federation that unionised workers with our pension plans are further destabilizing the economy.  We use our wages to pay into our pension plans and the Employer’s portion is deferred wages.  We know because they have offered pensionable earnings as part of our salary in previous rounds of bargaining…

I have sent the rest of the post to your CUPE 391 email addresses.

CUPE 391

Special General Meeting

October 20, 2011: 6 p.m.
Alice MacKay Room
Central Library, VPL

Talk to your Special Guests/councillors about the State of the Union

* Door Prizes

*Food and Refreshments served

*Send childcare receipts to Union office (internal mail or fax 604-879-3034)

CUPE will be handing out great swag and socially relevant publications on the environment, our water, P3’s.  We are also have the good fortune to present three local authors performing author readings: the passionate civil society advocate Dan Gawthrop (The Rice Queen Diaries, Highwire Act Politics, Pragmatism, and the Harcourt Legacy, Vanishing Halo Saving the Boreal Forest, Affirmation The AIDS Odyssey of Dr. Peter) at 1.00 pm; the very entertaining Charles Demers (Vancouver Special) at 2.00 p.m and social justice advocate Derrick O’Keefe (The Lesser Evil, Michel Ignatieff) at 3.00 pm

We need your support to engage our public at the big tent.  This is a fine opportunity to find out what our patrons want in library service and have a discussion about how socially important library and municipal services are to our public.  It is also fun to wander about collecting fabulous swag from the magazine and book publishers and to listen to the authors read from their latest books.

CUPE is sponsoring four authors this year.  Todd, photo op!

We probably have enough volunteers at the big tent but the more the merrier.  Sustenance will be provided.  Solidarity and fun will abound.  We are organising the coverage in two-hour blocks (or whatever works for you).  Word on the Street starts at 11.00 a.m. but we need some people there at 10.00.

10.00 am to 12.00 pm
12.00 pm – 2.00 pm
2.00 pm – 4.00 pm
4.00 pm – 5.00 pm.

Please contact Mike at the Union office 604-322-4879 or e-mail him if you are interested in participating.

In solidarity
Alex

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

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

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:

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.

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

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

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

A former Librarian social activist has asked CUPE 391 to endorse this campaign.  Please read on and support through letters or a petition or an endorsement.  in solidarity Alex
HOW TO SUPPORT:

1) PETITION: Please sign our online petition. We are hoping to gather 5000
signatures in two weeks and need your help to make this happen! :Link to Petition

2) ENDORSE: If you are a member of a women’s group, social justice
collective, community centre, union, service organization, or campus
group, we request that you please endorse our three demands by emailing
hwalia8@gmail.com or calling 778 885 0040.

Our current list of endorsers include: Downtown Eastside Women’s Centre,
DTES Power of Women Group, WISH Drop-In Centre Society, Walk4Justice,
Battered Women’s Support Services, Downtown Eastside Neighbourhood House,
PACE Society, Downtown Eastside Neighbourhood Council, Vancouver Status of
Women, Oxfam Canada, No One Is Illegal Vancouver, Vancouver Action,
Council of Canadians, Association of Chinese Canadians for Equality and
Solidarity Society, Aboriginal Women’s Action Network, West Coast Legal
Education and Action Fund, Streams of Justice, Franciscan Sisters of the
Atonement, Carnegie Community Action Project, Purple Thistle Centre, W2
Community Media Arts Society, Life Skills Centre , Ending Violence
Association of BC, Portland Hotel Society, Pivot Legal Society, UBC Centre
for Race Autobiography Gender and Age studies, Interfaith Institute for
Justice, Peace and Social Movements, Women Against Violence Against Women,
Aboriginal Front Door

3) WRITE-IN: We are requesting that everyone to please send an email along
the lines of the below to all of the following people in BC Housing, City
Council, MLA’s and MP’s. Email addresses compiled here:

rich.coleman.mla@leg.bc.ca, yourvoice@christyclark.ca,
sramsay@bchousing.org, dmcmann@bchousing.org, MMcNeil@bchousing.org,
gregor.robertson@vancouver.ca, lranton@vancouver.ca,
Ellen.Woodsworth@vancouver.ca, clrcadman@vancouver.ca,
clrchow@vancouver.ca, clrdeal@vancouver.ca, clrjang@vancouver.ca,
clrlouie@vancouver.ca, clrmeggs@vancouver.ca, clrreimer@vancouver.ca,
clrstevenson@vancouver.ca, harry.bloy.mla@leg.bc.ca,
stephanie.cadieux.mla@leg.bc.ca, mary.polak.mla@leg.bc.ca,
ida.chong.mla@leg.bc.ca, mable.elmore.mla@leg.bc.ca,
Jenny.Kwan.MLA@leg.bc.ca, daviel@parl.gc.ca, Davies.D@parl.gc.ca,
Dhaliwal.S@parl.gc.ca, Fry.H@parl.gc.ca, Murray.J@parl.gc.ca,
Siksay.B@parl.gc.ca, Julian.P@parl.gc.ca, Dosanjh.U@parl.gc.ca

RE: Safe Housing and Safe Services for Women in the DTES

It has come to my attention that for the past two months a coalition has
been raising the urgent issue of women’s safety in shelters in the
Downtown Eastside. I have been dismayed by the lack of response by all
levels of government about the ongoing violence committed against women in
the Downtown Eastside. Sexual assaults against women in this neighbourhood
in particular are normalized and their safety is not considered of highest
priority as we have seen with the ongoing tragedy of missing and murdered
women. This would never be acceptable in any other part of town. I support
the call for a 24 hours drop-in space and shelter for women in the
Downtown Eastside, housing for homeless women and children, and clear
protocols to be established within co-ed shelters.

Sincerely,
(NAME, ADDRESS, CONTACT INFO)

ABOUT THE CAMPAIGN:

Over the past two months a growing group of women residents of the
Downtown Eastside as well as a coalition of DTES and women-serving
organizations have been raising the urgent issue of women’s safety in
shelters in the Downtown Eastside. This has come in response to a number
of reported sexual assaults in DTES shelters.

We have been dismayed by the lack of response by all levels of government
about the ongoing violence committed against women in the Downtown
Eastside. We have been outraged that all four of our correspondences have
been ignored. We have been shocked that our delegation to BC Housing in
March 2011 was met with a heavy presence of police and we were shut out
from any dialogue on this issue. All this suggests to us that BC Housing
as well as city and provincial officials do not consider women’s safety a
priority within their funded facilities.

Sexual assaults against women in this neighbourhood are normalized as we
have seen with the ongoing tragedy of missing and murdered women. Women
should not have to “choose” between the indignity of homelessness and
being warehoused in shelters, and the high-risk of assault associated with
both. We will not remain silent or complicit and are continuing a
grassroots campaign based on three core demands that we believe can and
should be met in a timely manner.

We are calling for:

1) A 24 hours low-barrier women-only (includes all self-identified women)
drop-in space and shelter in the Downtown Eastside, ideally on Hastings
Street between Main and Jackson. The establishment and operation of this
service should be done through an accountable process including a
transparent call for tenders and in consultation with community
organizations and DTES resident women.

2) Housing for homeless women and children with at least 100 new units to
be made available immediately.

3) Clear provincial standards for women’s safety in co-ed shelters to be
implemented immediately in all existing and new shelters, including but
not limited to:

• Women-only facilities in co-ed shelters with adequate women-only beds
  and services within those spaces.
  


• Women staff and training for all staff by women’s organizations
  experienced in issues of sexual and gender violence. Shelter contractors
  must demonstrate the ability to ensure safety and security for women
  shelter users and all staff must be able to demonstrate an understanding
  of gender inequalities that contribute to violence against women.
  

BACKGROUND INFORMATION:

• Open Letter to Mayor Gregor Robertson “Women Respond to Sexual Assaults
  in Downtown Eastside Church Shelter While Shelter and City of Vancouver
  Ignore Reports” http://vancouver.mediacoop.ca/newsrelease/6390
  


• Press Release “Women Respond to Comments by Reverend Ric Matthews of
  First United Church; Reiterate Calls for 24-hour Women’s Shelter and Safe
  Housing in DTES” http://vancouver.mediacoop.ca/newsrelease/6496.
  


• Press Release “Women’s Action in Downtown Eastside for Women’s Safety”
  and Open Letter to BC Housing:
  http://vancouver.mediacoop.ca/newsrelease/6692

• Video of press conference:
  http://vancouver.mediacoop.ca/video/press-conference-women-respond-sexual-assault-dtes-shelter/6484


• Podcast of Vancouver DTES women’s groups shut out of B.C. Housing
  office:
  http://rabble.ca/podcasts/shows/pivot-legal-society/2011/03/vancouver-dtes-womens-groups-shut-out-bc-housing-office


• Women rail against violence in shelters:
  http://www.theprovince.com/news/assault+protest/4488619/story.html


• Safe Housing, Safe Shelters and Safe Services for Women:
  http://vancouver.mediacoop.ca/story/vancouver-politics-and-service-provision/6707


• More emergency shelter spaces needed for women, Vancouver council hears:
  http://www.straight.com/article-382418/vancouver/more-emergency-shelter-spaces-needed-women-vancouver-council-hears


• Women’s groups outraged over sexual assault comments:
  http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/story/2011/03/02/bc-first-united-church-sexual-assaults.html
  

Bookoff is provided for those who would like to attend but are working.  Tell your supervisor that the Union Executive has requested that Shop Stewards attend a meeting to become better acquainted with your role in the Union.  The Supervisor can then replace your shift (if possible) - full replacement and you get paid for attending.  When you have alerted your supervisor, please fill out the form Request for Union Leave from the Forms page then e-mail info@cupe391.ca or fax (604-879-3034) to the Union office.  We sign the form and forwrd it to Human Resources.  We will feed you will, beverages too and baby-sitting is covered upon presentation of receipts.  Please come - we need your strength and knowledge to build a stronger organisation.  There is room in the CUPE 15 parking lot that evening (in the alley).  If further parking is required, we will honour parking receipts. 

The 5 w’s of being a Shop Steward
Who you are
What you do
When you do it
Where you do it
Why you it
And How!

CUPE 391 wants to know:

• who you are and what this role means to you
• what help and information you need to support our members. 
• what education do you have for this role and what you think you need
• where you see the role of shop steward now and where it could be
• what you think is important, what it missing and what can be done

The Executive chose candidates based on representation of the membership.  The appointed members (and those who were not chosen) are all committed to the membership and public service.  Candidates should be representative of our membership’s diversity and the workforce in general. Ideally we would have someone from maintenance, closed divisions, LAIIs, Library Technicians, Librarians, grievance, classifications, etc.  According to CUPE, experience is good but not necessary as education and opportunities to work with experienced individuals will be provided through our national representative, coordinated bargaining and education. We needed to choose four bargaining committee members and one vice-president bargaining representative for the committee.

The new Bargaining Committee:

Gerard Batty: LA in Acquisitions, a closed division. Gerard is on both Classifications committees and chairs the regular CUPE 391 committee. Gerard is the 2nd Vice -President and has participated on several grievances. One of the Vice Presidents is chosen as a ex-officio member for the Bargaining Committee.

Gary Jarvis: represents shelvers and is liaison to the Part-time and Auxiliary Committee. He is also one of our communications people (graduated from BCIT this year) and writes extensively for Off the Shelf. Gary is a delegate to VDLC

Aliza Nevarie: LAII in Circulation. Aliza was in the last round of bargaining for us and was on the Part-time and Scheduling Committee that came out of mediator Brian Foley’s recommendations.  She is now on the Grievance Committee. Aliza also bargained for her union (Cinema) in Montreal previous to joining VPL

Brian Peaslee: a librarian on Level 6. He is a former president of the Richmond Public Library workers’ local. Brian has bargaining experience and has extensive grievance experience with VPL.  This work defends our collective agreement rights along with our members’ personal rights

Laura Safarian: Assistant Manager on Level 3.  She has been a member-at-large and a Vice President with our local. She is also on both of our classifications committees and has a strong interest in a JE plan. Laura participated in the last round of bargaining.

Alexandra Youngberg: Until June 1st unless re-elected to continue (see Elections - presidents are ex officio,) otherwise the next president will be on the committee. I am on the CUPE 391 side of the Technological Change committee and the Occupational Health & Safety Committee. I chaired the Grievance Committee, and co-chaired the CUPE BC Technological Change Committee. Currently I am on the Pensions Committee, Delegate to MEPAC (Municipal Employees Pensions Advisory Committee), and alternate to CUPE National Global Justice Committee. I have bargained four collective agreements and facilitate workshops in Preparing to Bargain and Collective Bargaining

The Executive hopes that the other applicants will consider helping with bargaining research and communications. They, too, were experienced and valuable in these areas. The Executive tried to choose a representative spectrum of classifications along with experience. Those who were not chosen for the committee would have been excellent committee members. We simply had too many applicants. Thank you all or participating in the process. If members are looking to join a committee, please go to CUPE 391’s Committees Page.

On Saturday, April 2, CUPE BC is joining with other BC unions and the AFL-CIO to stage a rally in support of Wisconsin labour unions. The cross-border show of solidarity will be at the Peace Arch Park at the Peace Arch border crossing at 2.00 p.m.. All Lower Mainland members are encouraged to attend.

CUPE BC is organizing free bus transportation to help members attend the rally. It’s expected that parking on site will be difficult.

To arrange transportation to and from the rally, please contact jlawson@cupe.ca with information about where you’re traveling from. We’ll be in touch with info about the nearest CUPE BC bus route.

Backgrounder

The attacks on public sector unions and collective bargaining in many American are sweeping. Legislation has been introduced in 20 states that undermine public sector collective bargaining. In Wisconsin, legislation has passed that:

• limits public sector union bargaining to wages, and only up to the rate of inflation.
• The state will no longer collect union dues from paychecks
• Members must vote each year to stay in the union.
• It requires public workers to pay more for health insurance and pension plans.
• Examples from other states include legislation that claws-back or freezes wages, sets limits on interest arbitration, and establishes two-tier pensions.

The attack is not just on public sector unions, but also very much on political power. The legislation against union dues check-off is designed to hobble the union’s abilities to fund democrats and progressive causes. In 2010, American election public sector unions contributed $20.5 million to candidates of which more than over 80 per cent were Democrats.

These attacks have been described so eloquently by Naomi Klein as ‘shock doctrine’---pretending it’s about budgets and deficits, but attacking unions and democracy while also reducing taxes for rich and putting tax and revenue caps in place.

Coming to Canada?

The corporate world is using the economic meltdown to launch attacks on public sector services and workers in many countries, alongside the right-wing think tanks they fund. The January 2011 issue of the Economist “The Battle Ahead, Confronting Public Services” is symbolic of this charge.

The Fraser Institute pounced on Wisconsin’s legislative cauchemar (nightmare) for public sector unions and workers to call for similar measures to be used in Canada. Pointing to provincial deficits, they leapt to the inexplicable conclusion that the cause of the deficits is public sector employees. They then continue to promote privatization of services and extol the advantages of private sector and competition.

The strong evidence shows that public services and public sector workers contribute greatly to economic recovery by providing valuable services to communities and reducing income inequality. Most public sector workers are women, providing public and community services that are so important-- services such as education, healthcare, and social services. These values of sharing and caring are what create equality. Tax cuts to financial institutions and banks do the opposite.

Public sector unions provide a democratic forum for members to advance and protect their political and economic rights. They prevent arbitrary power from their employers including federal, provincial, and local governments and boards. Unions also advocate for legislative protections and benefits for all workers such as workers’ compensation, health and safety, the Canada Pension Plan, parental leaves and benefits, employment insurance, early learning and child care programs, and fair wages. Unions fight income inequality.  READ up on Christie Clark’s new right hand man, Gwyn Morgan.  He has donated very large sums to the Fraser Institute and is definitely not a fan of the defined benefit pensions for unionised members, in spite of the fact that he enjoys an over 1.7 million annual pension (2006). See Globe & Mail and click Continued Reading Gwyn Morgan’s yearly pension Wisconsin’s fight will soon be ours, if Harper gets a majority and Mr. Morgan’s agenda prevails. See Tyee article on Gwyn Morgan.