Friday, March 29, 2024

Vancouver Island Regional Library employees pause job action to consider wage offer

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Members of the BC General Employees’ Union (BCGEU) working as librarians for the Vancouver Island Regional Library (VIRL) have paused job action this week, as they have reached a tentative agreement with their employer.

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, the strike escalated following the British Columbia General Employees’ Union (BCGEU) rejecting an offer from Vancouver Island Regional Library (VIRL), which resulted in picketing at six branches. 

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, BCGEU has paused library job action after reaching a tentative agreement with VIRL.

“We’re pleased that VIRL’s management has chosen to re-engage negotiations, and to have received a fair wage proposal that is worthy of bringing back to the membership,” said Laura Kaminker, VIRL librarian and bargaining committee chair. 

“Until the vote is counted, librarians will be back at work and not on the picket line.”

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