After coming back from his visits to all the branches yesterday, Peter DeGroot wanted to pass along how impressed he is by the commitment and solidarity of our members in every location, and how important our picketing is out in the community. Being on the picket lines is the most powerful way to show the public that we’re out here, wanting to get back to work, and that we’re not just some abstract concept (union members, library workers) but nice, caring people too. And it’s also a great way to maintain direct contact with our community and supporters.
Our members are also doing impressive and important work to help each other out. The Hardship Committee is the primary CUPE resource for members in need. See http://www.cupe391.ca/blog2/?cat=8 for more info. Kay Cahill has also started an excellent blog — at http://librarystrike.wordpress.com — which includes links to CUPE resources and current news as well a as a “skills trade” section, where members can volunteer their services and/or ask for help. Have a look–Kay explains it much better than I could!
And here are the highlights from the latest Job Action Update (#12):
–Branches (BRI, COL, MPL, JFS, KITS, KER) will have pickets Monday through Thursday, 9:00am to 5:00pm. (This allows all staff to gather at Central on Fridays.)
–Central will have pickets Monday through Thursday 7:00am to 8:00pm, Friday and Saturday 7:00am to 5:00pm, and Sunday noon to 4:00pm.
–Fridays (from noon to two or thereabouts) will be our opportunity for picnics, entertainment, rallies, etc. This Friday will be the second picnic on the pickets. By all accounts the last one was great fun, with way too much food. This week promises to be more of the same. See you tomorrow,
Janis