Strike at Vancouver PL

Job action is citywide; 22-branch library closed for weeks

By Lynn Blumenstein & Norman Oder -- Library Journal, 9/1/2007

For the first time in the 77-year history of the Vancouver Public Library (VPL), BC, the entire 22-branch system was shut down by a strike after 97 percent of CUPE (Canadian Union of Public Employees) Local 391 voted for the action in July. On the first day of the protest, July 26, more than 470 out of 771 union members picketed in front of the central library.

Local 391 president Alex Youngberg told LJ that the strike will continue “until we get our contract signed, sealed, and delivered.” Pay equity is the major issue, “as this is a female-dominated work force, this is long overdue,” according to Youngberg. Meanwhile, other city workers organized their own strikes.

On August 9, after six days of bargaining, the three striking unions lifted their media blackout, charging that the city had “lowballed” its five-year contract offer and wouldn't negotiate fairly regarding benefits, job security, and scheduling, according to the Vancouver Sun.

Union officials said that workers in nearby municipalities were getting much better deals. City spokesman Jerry Dobrovolny, however, said that the benefits package demanded by the locals was larger than in neighboring jurisdictions.

On August 15, the library made a new offer, with a 17.5 percent wage increase over five years, matching the regional norm; two days later, the union requested changes regarding pay equity and job evaluation that had been agreed to by library workers in the adjacent city of Burnaby. As of press time, the library had not yet responded.

With the library closed during the strike, patrons were asked not to return materials; officials said no late fees would be charged and requested patrons not use book drops.