Union workers patrol a picket line outside the VIRL branch on Hammond Bay Rd. in Nanaimo on Thursday, March 24. (Alex Rawnsley/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

ON STRIKE

Job action from unionized library staff escalates after latest VIRL offer rejected

Mar 24, 2022 | 11:10 AM

NANAIMO — Librarians and their supporters remain on the picket lines following the latest round of negotiations.

According to the Vancouver Island Regional Library (VIRL), the BC General Employees Union rejected the most recent proposal which came during the latest round of mediation.

“VIRL put forward an offer it considers fair and respectful to our librarians, and sustainable for the communities it serves, regrettably the offer was rejected by the BCGEU bargaining committee,” a statement from VIRL noted.

Job action, including rotating branch closures, continues Thursday, March 24 with six branches behind picket lines including Nanaimo North on Hammond Bay Rd.

The B.C. General Employees Union represents nearly 50 librarians across the VIRL network, with the most recent agreement between the two sides expiring at the end of 2020.

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While the BCGEU only represents around 12 per cent of library staff, picket lines are being respected by CUPE staff who account for 55 per cent of VIRL employees.

Stephanie Smith, president of the BCGEU, told NanaimoNewsNOW negotiations finally began in September 2021 and escalated further in January with appointment of a mediator.

No deal was reached.

“The major sticking point is wages. The cost of living, it is hitting everyone very very hard, our librarians have fallen further behind and it is important to them to be able to live in the communities they work because they want to continue to serve those community members.”

Changing language in an agreement to better working conditions on occupational health and safety matters, along with the changing nature of library work is also important.

Smith added the role of a library changed substantially during the COVID-19 pandemic with more people using the system to access various supports and services.

Further updates on job action from BCGEU members is available on their website.

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