BURNABY, B.C. (COAST SALISH TERRITORIES) – After more than a week without an offer from their employer, members of the BC General Employees’ Union (BCGEU) working as librarians for the Vancouver Island Regional Library (VIRL) are escalating their job action. As of 7:00 am Wednesday, March 30^th, all BCGEU members working as VIRL employees will be on strike. In person and virtual services at all VIRL branches will be affected. Some branches will be behind picket lines, other branches will be operating but will not have librarians available.

“This has been an exceptionally challenging round of bargaining from the very beginning,” said Stephanie Smith. “BCGEU members have been professional, creative and flexible in an attempt to get a deal that meets their needs and makes sure their libraries are the vibrant, diverse, welcoming spaces communities rely on. Their solidarity is strong and they’ve had great support from library users. Now all we need is for their employer to step up with a fair offer.”

At mediation on March 23^rd, VIRL tabled a wage proposal that improved on previous proposals but still fell short of what is needed to align VIRL librarians’ wages with those of their counterparts in comparable library systems or to account for the rising cost of living. The employer walked away from the union’s counterproposal the same day. The two sides have not met for negotiations since.

“I want to be clear, our wage ask is reasonable given the skyrocketing cost of living on Vancouver Island and the wage increase the VIRL board has already approved for the system’s executives,” said Smith. “And our wage ask is affordable within VIRL’s existing budget. Quite frankly, since the VIRL Board of Trustees are willing to approve increases for executive salaries, new facilities, branch renovations and books, it’s shocking that they are not willing to do so for librarians.”

In a March 17^th letter to the VIRL board, librarians shared research showing that, of all regional library systems in B.C., VIRL librarians are the lowest paid and its executives are among the highest paid. Furthermore, since 2018, VIRL has created nine new executive positions – one of which is filled by an out-of-province employee – and those executives received substantial salary increases in 2020 – the same year the librarians’ collective agreement expired.

“Librarians don’t want to be on picket lines. They want to get back to the work they love – serving their community,” said Smith. “But without a fair offer librarians have no other choice but to escalate. VIRL has the power to end this job action at any moment and they know that.”

Background:  

For more information, including previous media releases and picket updates, visit www.bcgeu.ca/virl. 

For interview requests, please email [email protected].

The BCGEU is B.C.'s most dynamic, diverse, and fastest growing union -- representing more than 82,000 members who work in every sector of the economy and live in every community across the province including the 48 librarians who work for the Vancouver Island Regional Library.

VICTORIA, B.C. – Negotiations between the BC General Employees' Union (BCGEU) and the provincial government's Public Service Agency (PSA) will be resuming after a 15 day break. The current agreement between the parties, which covers more than 32,000 union members, expires on March 31, 2022.
 
"We always say 'where there's talk, there's hope" so getting invited back to the table is definitely positive," said BCGEU president Stephanie Smith. "Our members have been clear from the beginning that cost-of-living protection for wages was a top priority this round of bargaining and they haven't wavered on that. We're hopeful that the employer's invitation is a sign that they have heard that message."
 
Prior to the stall, the parties had made significant progress on a range of important issues including improved processes to resolve member issues and complaints, stronger language around bullying and sexual harassment, as well as improvements to occupational and health and safety language.
 
Talks between the two parties stalled on March 10^th over a significant gap in wage proposals. The union's bargaining committee is ready to return to the negotiating table on short notice as soon as the PSA has a revised wage proposal to bring to the table.
 
Dates for upcoming bargaining sessions have not yet been set.

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Contact: [email protected]

UWU/MoveUP

This morning, BCGEU President and Chair of the BCGEU Public Service Bargaining Committee spoke with CKNW's Michael Smyth about public service bargaining. "What we're looking for and what we think is very reasonable are cost of living adjustments… Our members over the last two years have learned their worth, they know their value, they know their contributions to our province, and they know that they are critically important in the economic recovery as we move forward."

Please click this link to listen to Stephanie Smith on CKNW

UWU/MoveUP

BCGEU Statement on CFNU re-admitting BCNU

Recently, the Canadian Federation of Nurses Unions (CFNU) announced their plan to re-admit the BC Nurses Union (BCNU) into their union, more than a decade after they left the CFNU because of raiding activities in our province.

BCNU raided our union, and other health care unions in BC, for several years in an attempt to build their own power at the expense of other front line health care workers.

During some of the worst years of the anti-labour BC Liberal government, many BCGEU members in the health care sector agreed to forego wage increases for themselves to support increases for LPNs. It was hard for our members when we then spent much of our union's resources fighting BCNU as they raided LPNs throughout the province.

BCNU's behaviour struck at worker solidarity-a core principle of the labour movement. Their raiding pitted workers against workers in health care facilities across the province damaging solidarity in the sector.

BCNU has not taken adequate steps to repair the damage they caused. While nurses are a key part of the national labour movement, here at home in BC, the leadership of the BCNU has work to do. Even if the CFNU re-admits them, the BCNU needs to take important steps before they can re-enter the broader labour movement.

The BC Federation of Labour (BCFed), Canadian Labour Congress (CLC) and local labour councils condemned the BCNU raiding and barred them from participating in their organizations. These organizations have clear provisions against raiding and clear processes for any union that then expresses the desire to return to the fold, including acknowledging wrongdoing, reparations and a commitment to ensuring no future raiding will occur. Those processes must be followed, and we will be working with the National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) to ensure the CFNU and BCNU are held accountable to adhering to the core values of the labour movement.

BURNABY, B.C. (COAST SALISH TERRITORIES) – Members of the BC General Employees’ Union (BCGEU) working as librarians for the Vancouver Island Regional Library (VIRL) are escalating their job action starting Friday, March 18^th in an ongoing effort to get the VIRL Board to issue a new wage mandate.
 
“We’ve said from the beginning—librarians don’t want to be on picket lines in front of their libraries, they want to get back into their libraries and back to work,” said Stephanie Smith, president of the BCGEU. “They’ve made every effort from day one of this job action to find a balance between pressuring their employer to get back to the table while minimizing the impact on their communities and their CUPE colleagues. The bottom line is, our members deserve a fair contract, and the VIRL Board has the power to end this job action by issuing a new wage mandate to get that contract settled.”
 
The librarians’ job action started on March 9^th and has so far been limited to rotating pickets targeting single branches. That action will escalate to impact multiple branches from Sooke to Port Hardy as of Friday morning. The union’s pickets will be in effect throughout regular operating hours at the following VIRL branches:

• Port Hardy (7110 Market Street)
• Comox (101 – 1720 Beaufort Ave)
• Qualicum Beach (101 – 660 Primrose Street)
• Sooke (6671 Wadams Way)
• South Cowichan (310 – 2720 Mill Bay Road, Mill Bay)

VICTORIA, B.C. – Negotiations between the BC General Employees’ Union (BCGEU) and the provincial government’s Public Service Agency (PSA) have stalled over a significant gap in wage proposals. The current agreement between the parties, which covers more than 32,000 union members, expires on March 31, 2022.
 
“We have made good progress so far on some very important issues that will substantially improve the working lives of our members,” said Stephanie Smith, BCGEU president and chair of the union’s bargaining committee. “But we came to the table carrying a clear message from our members to their employer—cost of living protection is the price of admission for a deal this round. When we exchanged monetary packages last week there was a gaping chasm between what our members need and what the PSA was offering so we’re stalled.”
 
As inflation rises and the cost-of-living skyrockets in communities across the province, public service workers are falling further and further behind. And there’s no end in sight—this week’s inflation numbers from Statistics Canada are expected to be higher.
 
“BC is a beautiful province but it is expensive to live here and it’s getting more expensive every day,” said Smith. “The bottom line is any wage offer that doesn’t include cost of living protection (COLA) is a wage cut and no worker should be expected to take a wage cut—especially not the public service workers who kept our families safe and our province operating over everything the last two years has thrown at us.”
 
The BCGEU bargaining committee sees the stall as a temporary setback and remains optimistic about reaching a deal at the bargaining table before the current agreement expires.
 
“Our union has a long-standing and very constructive working relationship with the PSA,” said Smith. “We’ve been bargaining agreements and solving problems together for almost 50 years. I am confident that if the PSA can revise their wage offer, we can get a deal BCGEU members will ratify.”
 
Before pausing negotiations, the parties made significant progress on a range of issues BCGEU members also identified as important including improved processes to resolve member issues and complaints, stronger language around bullying and sexual harassment, improvements to occupational and heath and safety language. The union’s bargaining committee is ready to return to the negotiating table on short notice as soon as the PSA has a revised wage proposal to bring to the table.
 
 
 

UWU/MoveUP

Every individual has the right to contribute to the conversation on the BCGEU's social media channels. These conversations will be respectful of others' political affiliation, race, gender, sexuality, ethnicity, abilities, appearance, and occupation.

• Harassment will not be tolerated: Harassment is defined as comments which ridicule, humiliate, insult, or degrade another user on the basis of race (e.g. comments, slurs and jokes), place of origin, political belief, sex, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, physical or mental abilities. Sexual harassment of any kind (unwanted attention of a sexual nature such as remarks about appearance or personal life, graffiti or degrading pictures, physical contact or sexual demands) will also not be tolerated.
• Personal attacks on other participants on the page, fellow members and citizens, or on public figures are not tolerated. Personal attacks are defined as comments that use abusive remarks on or relating to one's person instead of debating that person's claims or comments.
• Hate speech is not tolerated. Hate speech is defined as comments that attack a person or group on the basis of attributes such as race, gender, sexuality, ethnicity, or occupation. Any post containing hate speech will be deleted without notice. 
• Spamming is not tolerated. Spamming is defined as sending the same or similar message indiscriminately. Any spam posts will be deleted without notice. 
• Misinformation (posts/comments that are clearly not factual) and off-topics comments of an inflammatory nature will be deleted without notice.

UWU/MoveUP

BURNABY, B.C. (COAST SALISH TERRITORIES) – Members of the BC General Employees' Union (BCGEU) working as librarians for the Vancouver Island Regional Library (VIRL) are on the picket line at VIRL's Cowichan Branch (2687 James Street in Duncan) today. The picket is the first step in escalated job action from the librarians who are awaiting response to their latest counteroffer from the employer via the Labour Relations Board mediator.

BCGEU librarians have been without a contract since December 2020 and have experienced significant delays to bargaining from the employer. They are seeking a deal that aligns their compensation with other libraries in the province and reflects the rising cost of living across Vancouver Island.
 
"To be clear: librarians do not want to picket – they want to be at work serving their communities," said Stephanie Smith, BCGEU president. "Our members' demands are fair and reasonable. VIRL has the power to end our job action and restore library services for the people of the Cowichan Valley. "
 
The union's picket will be in effect from 9 am to 8 pm. The union is asking library users to support their job action by joining them on the picket line or refusing to cross it should VIRL choose to keep the branch open. Librarians are also calling on the VIRL Board of Trustees to encourage the employer to provide a fair offer and return to negotiations.
 
Librarians provide critical community services to a variety of populations including access to Internet for seniors and literacy skills for children and families. They have also been serving on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic amidst the province's opioid crisis, affordable housing crisis, mental health crisis and climate-related disasters.
 
Background:
 
For more information, including previous media releases and picket updates, visit www.bcgeu.ca/virl.
 
BCGEU spokesperson Jennifer Seper will be available Wednesday for interview at VIRL's Cowichan branch in Duncan between 9:30 am and 4:30 pm. Email [email protected] to arrange an interview.
 
The BCGEU is B.C.'s most dynamic, diverse, and fastest growing union -- representing more than 82,000 members who work in every sector of the economy and live in every community across the province including the 48 librarians who work for the Vancouver Island Regional Library.

UWU/MoveUP

March 8th is International Women’s Day (IWD).

It’s an opportunity to celebrate the remarkable accomplishments of women throughout history and around the world. An opportunity to recommit ourselves to stand together and work together to continue breaking down the barriers that still hold women back in far too many families, communities and workplaces. An opportunity to dream with our eyes open about a world that is more diverse, equitable and inclusive than ours. A world where girls and women thrive and contribute as true equals free from discrimination, harassment and violence.

This year’s theme for IWD is #BreakTheBias. And, as far as women have come, as much progress as we have won, two years into the COVID-19 pandemic it is irrefutable that women are not yet where we want to be, where we need to be, where we deserve to be. Breaking the bias means continuing to do the hard work needed to create the society we wish we had grown up in.

We #BreakTheBias by acknowledging hard truths and having difficult conversations with our families, friends and coworkers.

We #BreakTheBias by stepping into leadership roles in our workplaces and communities and serving as role models for the women and girls in our lives.

We #BreakTheBias by creating allies and lifting as we climb.

So this year, whether you are organizing an event, attending an event, taking part in the #BreakTheBias social media campaign, or all of the above, we all have a part to play in creating a more diverse and inclusive world.

Visit the IWD website to find out more about this year’s theme.

In solidarity,

Stephanie Smith (she/her) 
President, BCGEU

BCGEU headquarters is located on the unceded territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skxwú7mesh (Squamish) & Səl̓ílwətaʔ (Tsleil-Waututh) peoples.

March 8 International Women's Day 2022 Events

Take time to connect with your communities and your union locals this year by joining one of the IWD events listed below—or organize your own. Please contact your local labour council or organizations to locate events in your area.

Here are some events you can take part in to celebrate International Women's Day 2022

Movie Night: Margaret Atwood – A Word after a Word after a Word is Power March 8, 2022 - Vancouver, Canada

To coincide with International Women's Day, CHF BC is screening the documentary Margaret Atwood – A Word after a Word after a Word is Power by Peter Raymont & Nancy Lang. Please join us on Tuesday, March 8 to watch this inspiring film about Margaret Atwood, her backstory, her novels, and her upcoming works. Register ahead to receive zoom details.

Women in Public Works 2022 (Virtual)

March 8, 2022 - Vancouver, Canada

This session is an inspiring professional learning and networking event for all women public works leaders or leaders in male-dominated industries. Our theme this year follows International Women's Day with #BreaktheBias.

Greater Vancouver Board of Trade: Celebrating International Women's Day: Break the Bias

March 8, 2022 – Virtual, Canada

Join us as we learn from women who have shattered glass ceilings in male-dominated industries and are paving the way for all women and girls, and champions of women's rights in our region who are setting an example for all.

MembersThis event is free for members
Non-membersIndividuals: $30 + GST

International Women's Day Panel: Breaking Biases in the Workplace

March 8, 2022 – Virtual, Canada

This year, we're focusing our International Women's Day panel discussion on the ways we can work to #BreakTheBias in the workplace and create a level playing field for women. Join our panel of powerful women for this fascinating discussion and learn how they are making a difference and setting new standards in the workplace. We'll discuss ways to create a workplace free of bias, stereotypes and discrimination; work cultures that are diverse, equitable and inclusive, and ones where differences are valued and celebrated.

Registration: $10.00

North Shore Women's Centre International Women's Day Celebration & Benefit 2022

March 1 - 14

Spoken Treasures - The History of Vancouver and Stanley Park Through Indigenous Women's Eyes
Date: March 8th, 2022 (Tuesday)

Start Time: 4:00 pm
End Time: 5:15 pm
Guide Candace Campo, Shishalh Nation
Guide: Anjenette Dawson, Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Nation (to be confirmed)

Tour Description: Join us in Stanley Park on the seawall to journey through time, exploring and sharing history through the eyes of Indigenous women. We will explore the rich history of Stanley Park and Vancouver through Indigenous Women's eyes. Our local Indigenous ambassadors-guides will accompany you along the Stanley Park seawall, for an enriched, leisurely, 1.2 km stroll, to share an historical and cultural interpretive walking tour from the unique perspectives of our indigenous women with you. Spoken Treasures highlights how our ancestral matriarchs lived sustainably through the Potlatch, and how they navigated and were impacted by early contact with explorers, trade merchants and settlers. The tour starts at the Stanley Park Information Booth and is completed at the renowned Stanley Park Totem Poles where the formal tour will conclude with stories of the totem poles and the diversity and richness of the Indigenous peoples, throughout the Pacific Northwest. Legends of Kalkalath, Wild Women of the Mountains, make it fun for guests of all ages.  

UWU/MoveUP