Members of the BCGEU, along with CUPE in solidarity, picket out front of the north Nanaimo branch in late March, part of system-wide strikes. (Alex Rawnsley/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

LIBRARY STRIKE

Job action suspended as Union and Vancouver Island Regional Library reach tentative agreement

Apr 12, 2022 | 10:33 AM

NANAIMO — A stalemate between the BC General Employees Union (BCGEU) and Vancouver Island Regional Library (VIRL) appears to be over.

The union, representing nearly 50 librarians at a majority of VIRL branches, including in Nanaimo and Oceanside, announced late Monday, April 11 the two sides had reached a tentative agreement.

“Job action [is] on pause while members discuss and vote on agreement in coming days,” a tweet from the BCGEU read. “Thanks to all community members and labour allies who voiced support.”

No details on the nature of the agreement were released, however wages were the major sticking point in negotiations, according to the union.

A ratification vote is expected in the coming days.

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In a bid to expedite negotiations, BCGEU members provided 72 hour strike notice to the employer in early March with picket lines being established on a rotating basis shortly after.

Those strikes escalated to more widespread action in the day and weeks which followed. System-wide strikes had become more common place in recent weeks.

While BCGEU represents only a small percentage of the VIRL workforce, the establishing of picket lines ensured other union members, including CUPE who represent nearly half of all VIRL staff, would not cross in solidarity.

Many joined BCGEU on the picket lines throughout March and early April.

The two sides have been without a contract since December 2020 with negotiations beginning in September 2021 and escalated further in January 2022 with the appointment of a mediator.

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