CUPE 391 NEWS RELEASE: APRIL 26, 2012

VANCOUVER – The union representing librarians is outraged that the Vancouver Public Library has hired a high-priced labour lawyer to negotiate on behalf of its employer at a time when nearly 20 librarians and other library workers are losing hundreds of hours of work.

The Canadian Union of Public Employees Local 391 says the Vancouver Public Library Board has misplaced its priorities by cutting $500,000 in staff time that provides direct services to the public while hiring veteran lawyer Kim Thorne of Roper Greyell at hundreds of dollars an hour to assist in bargaining.

“The Vancouver Public Library management are about to impose a significant and damaging cut of $500,000 in staff hours to librarians, library technicians and information assistants who all provide valuable direct service to the public,” said Local 391 President Alexandra Youngberg.

“So how on earth can the Library find the money to hire one of BC’s most senior management side lawyers to bargain on their behalf instead of doing what most cities do – have Library and city staff negotiate?” Youngberg asked.

Youngberg said Thorne has acted for employers in a series of high-profile labour disputes, including acting for resource company giant BHP Billiton in the Ekati Diamond Mine strike in the North West Territories.

“We are a small, local library union trying to protect our members and provide good service to Vancouver readers who depend on public libraries,” Youngberg said.  “For the Library Board and management to go to a high-profile legal hired gun when our members are losing so much work is appalling.”

Youngberg said it is ironic that Thorne is also Vice-Chair of the Vancouver Writers Festival – an annual event that promotes authors and literature – while his fees will effectively result in fewer Library service hours.

Youngberg said Vancouver Public Library users will see frontline services dramatically reduced as of May 1 unless the budget cuts are reversed.

For more information: Alexandra Youngberg – CUPE Local 391 – work 604-322-4879 cell 604-908-6095

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Also see: Affects of Budget Cuts on Part Time Staff | Press Releases page

Every April 28th, workers across the country and around the globe gather to remember workers that were killed or injured at work.  In Canada, on average, a worker dies every eight hours.  Since the last Day of Mourning, three CUPE members have lost their lives serving the public.

See full article at CUPE National: http://cupe.ca/health-and-safety/april-28-day-mourning-fight-living

More than 600 delegates to CUPE BC’s annual convention will join CUPE Local 50 members, the Victoria Labour Council and community members on April 28, 2012 to honour the dead and fight for the living in recognition of the National Day of Mourning.

This community-based event will take place at Centennial Square beginning at 9 a.m. Speakers will include CUPE National President Paul Moist, CUPE BC President Barry O’Neill, Victoria Labour Council President Michael Eso, Compensation Employees’ Union Director David Clarabut, and Victoria City Councillor Ben Isitt.

See full article at CUPE BC: http://www.cupe.bc.ca/news/2551

The 2nd call has been made for nominations to 391’s Executive. The following positions will be elected at the Annual General Meeting on Sunday, May 6th:

• 1 President (1 yr term)
• 1 Vice President (2 yr term)
• 1 Secretary Treasurer (2 year term)
• 1 Recording Secretary (1 yr term)
• 4 VPL Members at Large (1 yr term)
• 1 Trustee (3 yr term)

APRIL 17 UPDATE: The third and final call has now been made.

When: 6pm

Where: L7 Boardroom, Central

The agenda has been sent through your 391 email.

This will be our last general meeting before the AGM in May.

Also see: Meeting Dates page.

More than 2,300 employees of the Toronto Public Library are off the job after the negotiators for the Library Board continued their aggressive attack on workers’ job security.

Please see CUPE National for full article.

UPDATE, MARCH 30: Toronto library workers ratify collective agreement