Like most women, I will be rushing around on International Women’s Day, multi-tasking rather than basking in reflection of our sisters accomplishments, past and present.  Fortunately this year, I will be a cog in the CUPE Metro District Council’s luncheon for women in the Downtown Eastside Area, so will get to cheer on the work of that community.  Our event (luncheon, speakers and entertainment) will be held at the Maritime Labour Centre at from 12.00 pm to 2.00 p.m.

International Women’s Day (8 March) is a global day celebrating the economic, political and social achievements of women past, present and future. In some places like China, Russia, Vietnam and Bulgaria, IWD is a national holiday. The first IWD was run in 1911. Next year is IWD Global Centenary 1911-2011.  See web article History of International Women’s Day

Upcoming Event

• Date & time: 13 March 2010 6.00 to 11.00
• Event: CELEBRATE WOMEN’S STRUGGLES AROUND THE WORLD!- WOMAN’S PLACE IS IN THE STRUGGLE!
• About: Strong speeches, cultural performances, good food, international music and dancing, Solidarity Notes Choir
• FREE ADMISSION 6:00-9:00 Program Proper; 9:00-11:30 Dancing & Live DJ International Food for Sale Cash Bar available
• Venue: Britannia Britannia Community Centre CAFETERIA Near Commercial Drive at Napier Vancouver, British Columbia Canada, Vancouver, British Columbia Canada
• Organisation: IWD2010 Committee in Vancouver, British Columbia Canada: IWD Organizing Committee: Canada-Philippines Solidarity for Human Rights, Iranian Centre for Peace, Freedom and Social Justice, New Noise (Mexico), Migrante B.C, Cultural House of Malawna (Afghanistan)~Bureau for Latin America and Caribbean Solidarity, UNAMG (Guatemala)~ Nisga’a Urban Women’s Organizing Committee, FMLN-Vancouver, International League of People’s Struggle-Canada
  

I was thinking about the multi-tasking aspects of our natures today.  It is a blessing and a curse.  On one hand, we care for and nurture our communities, on the other, we are too busy to focus narrowly on what we still need to accomplish.  Our attention is always being distracted to the very real needs of others when we are in the midst of trying to be in command of our political entity; to achieve what needs to be done to achieve tangible equality through a practice of real equity.

Please make a resolution tomorrow and remind yourself in some way each day after; to choose one way that you can further social and economic standing of womenkind.  In female-dominated workforces such as libraries, health and social services, we need to remember that men that work along side of us, often get the same treatment.  They also have mothers and sisters who struggle to rise above the ghetto of part-time hours, and lower wages for work of equal value.

• standalone legislation for pay equity
• universal day-care, $10 minimum wage
• a living wage that includes a living number of hours
• a human rights complaint that makes pay equity a provincially legislated bill
and
• become a job evaluation expert!

Just pick one each though; a cause loses its ability to sustain itself when spread too thinly.  Let your union know what kind of support you want.  We, as collective, can let the provincial and national representatives of CUPE know our direction.  There are 70,000 CUPE members in this province alone.  That is a powerful voice for change in 2013.

I think I will have a look at our management’s job evaluation plan.  Just focus!  Happy International Women’s Day from a card-carrying member of the gender.

Check out the CBC Sunday Edition show today as soon as the podcast is up.  It was terrific.  http://www.cbc.ca/thesundayedition/podcast.html

You should attend more Library Board meetings.  The most exciting and philosophically divided debate erupted over a document entitled “Centralized Selection Update”.  Trustees were baffled by the intent of this document and sought extensive clarification.  They did not like what they saw or read.  The Board Trustees have asked for:

• an assessment
• the literature


• an evaluative process
• what we are measuring
• indicators for success
• evidence of best practices
• workshop on collection development
• ongoing reports

The Union has notes from meetings which we will share tomorrow with the CUPE 391 librarians listserve.  We would to request your assistance - to work on a report for the Board regarding selections and ordering process.  It would include the very items the Board Trustees requested at the Board meeting and would also include:

• a needs assessment
• and a community map of our diverse communities and their reading habits
and not forgetting,
• our provincial obligations

(And whatever else you think should be included) I am sending my notes out via the CUPE 391 e-mail.  Please check your 391 e-mail account for an attachment of notes from the February 24th, Library Board Meeting.

The list of those who are affected by the latest round of cuts has been modified five times by Human Resources, so far.  Please do not give away hours you find affect your work-life balance because nothing is confirmed as yet.  There will also be another round of transfers with the the bench-marking of Library Assistant II’s in March.  This will entail looking at placement of hours yet again.  Human Resources is keeping files on your concerns about transfers and will try to resolve some of these issues now and later.  The Union has ensured that Seniority is the chief factor in determining what order the transfers of hours or loss of hours takes place.  If you remember the benchmarking of LAI’s last year, Seniority was the ruling factor because of clause 8.6.1 Promotions, transfers, and demotions shall be made on the basis of knowledge, skill, ability and seniority with seniority prevailing where knowledge, skill and ability are relatively equal.

Please call the Union if you have any concerns about ow the process is taking Place.  The Union has interviewed some of the affected staff and made recommendations to HR which are often being implemented.

• Don’t give up hours which negatively impact your lifestyle.  Tell HR so that they may file the information for future reference
• Don’t be silent about the transfer if you have concerns. Call HR and the Union - there may be a solution.
• Do - get in your requests for Part-time hours at locations that you want.  Then when HR has to make some changes, they know your preferences.
• Do- Be aware of your seniority.  See above
• Do - Job Shadows - find out what your preferences are, so that you can put those laterals in with some insight.
• Do- Assess your certification, experience and qualifications.  You may be qualified for other work in the organisation.
• Do - Apply for full-time when jobs begin to be posted again.  HR has had, on occasion, to post outside for lack of candidates.  - not in recent history of course.
• Do - Request to be put on a list for part-time hours. People may refuse hours and the hours will be offered again

The Union is checking that all the frozen Part-time hours are being actively used to mitigate the loss of income to members.  Please call members of the Grievance committee or the office if you need representation. We are very willing to help you through this process.
Contact us:  http://www.cupe391.ca/index.php/welcome/contact_us/ and http://www.cupe391.ca/index.php/committees/grievance_committee/

in solidarity

Alex

CUPE 391 - Lend us your presence for the General Meeting January 20th, 2010; to be held in Morris J. Wosk Board Room at Central Library at 6 p.m.  This is an important meeting as we will evaluate last year’s campaigns to maintain public service for our communities, and will examine the future implementations of Shared Services and the “Ordering Process”.  Per Capita increase is on the table.  We also need to think of remaining our local now that both Sechelt Public Library and Gibsons Pubic Library are part of CUPE 391.  Prizes will be offered for the New Name!

The Executive has decided on a change of venue as there are complaints about accessibility to Renfrew.  There were further complaints (very legitimate) about the early 5.30 p.m. start as members from the branches found it difficult to get to Central on time.  We will start at 6 p.m. with non- voting items at the beginning of the meeting.  The pizza will arrive at about 5.30 to 5.40 p.m. for those who arrive early.

CUPE 391 General Meeting
Wednesday, January 20th, 2010
Morris J. Wosk Board Room,
Level 7, Central Library

We will send further items for the agenda through our CUPE 391 e-mail.

in solidarity
Alex

A heartfelt thank-you goes out to those library patrons, workers, and Library Board members that lobbied tirelessly on behalf of libraries as a great social and civic service, and public treasure.  Hats off to the Library Board Chair Joan Andersen, who lobbied Council for no cuts to hours of opening to the libraries.  Much of what Joan Andersen had to say was in my report, and Patricia Moir’s original report, so we had to revise quickly.  My query to Council was, “ had anyone ever done a Social Return on Investment on Vancouver Library?,” because for every library dollar spent the community received back anywhere from $5-$10 in measurable value.  City Council asked me to submit a further report (which I did Wednesday December 16) and to ask the Library Board to consider producing a SROI report (I made request at December 9th Board meeting).  The Board will be bring this forward probably at January meeting.  Each cut to library service represents a loss of revenue, social and otherwise, to the public we serve. 

Craig Nelson presented the second evening of public hearings about the impact of libraries on vulnerable populations (personal experience as a child) and library workers.  Great job, Craig! You supported your fellow members and those you serve, with energy and dedication.  Todd Wong, who is well-known with Council for his work with our diverse and cultural communities, spoke for both Jacob Breen (who was ill) and himself, on CUPE 391’s perspective on budget cuts.  Todd also was asked questions from Council.  Gloria Hershorn presented on the last evening.  She reminded Council what we lost with the contracting out of the Bindery and how it opened the doors to the loss of local control with Collection Development.  Gloria and Todd received much appreciation from the gallery.  Here are how the Operating Budget 2010 Recommendations cuts play out.  Vancouver Public Library fared the best of all the community services.

Recommendations:
A. Council approve budget resolution for final Operating Budget with a property tax increase of 2.26 %
B. Council approve the funding requests and proposed service adjustments as outlined in December 1, 2009 Administrative Report, 2010 Operating Budget: Proposed Budget and Public Consultation Update:
Following Adjustments:

• Funding of $153,000 to retain Riley Park with savings from the delayed implementation of the remaining 2% of Exempt staff’s 4% increase for 2010.  Exempt City Staff will receive 23.5% in salary increases from 2007-2011.
• Increase funding to VPL branches serving vulnerable populations by $192,000
• Increase funding to the VPL Central Library to retain current operating hours

• $500,00 City’s emergency shelter program
• $300,00 contingency fund

Notable by its absence is any reference to the $360,000 in cuts and positions to Technical Services (Acquisitions, Preparations, Cataloguing).  Paul Whitney told me the day after CUPE WritersFest, that there would be no further implementation of shelf-ready materials. 

The City Librarian also said there would be a Library Board meeting on December 21st.  Please call Chrysalyn Tolentino at 604-331-4003 or e-mail her at if you wish to attend or speak.
Thanks again to Ed Dickson, Craig Nelson, the fabulous Riley Park gang and Randy Gatley for speaking to the Library Board in November and December.  When we act together with those we serve, we get results.  Today’s restoration of some of the funding is the result of ongoing networking with every user group and political group in the City and sometimes, the province, and great public awareness campaigning from CUPE Regional and CUPE BC.  That is what it takes - recognition of shared values, citizenship and solidarity.

Alex