A week after the British Columbia General Employees’ Union (BCGEU) rejected the latest offer from Vancouver Island Regional Library (VIRL), picketing at VIRL branches is set to escalate.
In February, BCGEU members voted 95% in favour of a strike mandate, resulting in a notice being filed to VIRL.
On March 9th, members of the BCGEU working as librarians for the VIRL began picketing at VIRL’s Cowichan branch, seeking a deal that aligned their compensation with other libraries in the province.
On March 24th, strike escalation following the British Columbia General Employees’ Union (BCGEU) rejecting the latest offer from Vancouver Island Regional Library (VIRL) resulted in picketing at 6 branches.
According to the BCGEU, the proposal fell short of what was needed to align VIRL librarians’ wages with those in comparable library systems or to account with the rising cost of living.
According to a letter to the VIRL board by librarians, research shows that, of all regional library systems in the province, VIRL librarians are the lowest paid and its executives are among the highest paid.
Now, after more than a week without a new offer from VIRL or negotiations between the two, members of the BCGEU working as librarians have announced escalating job action.
As of 7 a.m. on Wednesday, March 30th, all BCGEU members working as VIRL employees were on strike.
Both in person and virtual services at all branches are affected. Some branches will be behind picket lines, other branches will be offering but will not have librarians available.
“This has been an exceptionally challenging round of bargaining from the very beginning,” said Stephanie Smith, BCGEU President.
“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.”
