Unionized staff at Vancouver Island Regional Library branches have served strike notice, with job action likely to begin Thursday, Mar. 3. (File Photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

PICKET LINES

Vancouver Island library workers deliver 72-hour strike notice

Feb 28, 2022 | 4:30 PM

NANAIMO — Union members working at Vancouver Island Regional Library (VIRL) branches have served strike notice.

Members of the BC General Employees Union (BCGEU) Local 702 voted 95 per cent in favour of striking. Notice was served Monday, Feb 28 with any job action legally allowed to begin Thursday, Mar. 3.

Local 702 represents 42 full-time employees or 12 per cent of the library workforce, according to VIRL. All three Nanaimo branches are staffed by BCGEU personnel.

It’s unclear what job action will look like, however the Union has said it may include permanent or rotating picket lines

The two sides have been negotiating a new collective bargaining agreement, with the previous one expiring in Sept. 2021.

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BCGEU Local 702 represents professional librarians and other staff who work at 20 of 39 branches and in information technology, collections, and support services divisions.

The strike action by Local 702 will also see CUPE Local 401 members, who account for 55 per cent of the VIRL workforce, to honour any picket lines established.

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