VICTORIA—Victoria library workers have voted 90 per cent in favour of strike action, if necessary, to achieve a fair collective agreement.
The strike vote, held over the weekend, represents only the second time in the 60-year history of the local union that Victoria library workers have authorized strike action.
“When library workers vote for a strike, you can be sure that they are being dealt with unfairly indeed,” said CUPE 410 president Ed Seedhouse, adding that the top bargaining priorities for his members are finally achieving pay equity with Victoria civic workers and getting a fair deal for auxiliary workers, including pages.
“Our bargaining committee’s first priority will be to use the overwhelming mandate the members have given us to get back to the bargaining table as soon as possible,” said Seedhouse.
“This vote result should show the Greater Victoria Labour Relations Association (GVLRA) that Library workers are very serious. Pay Equity was promised to us for 1996 and is now more than a decade overdue.”
CUPE 410 represents 220 library workers in the GVPL system at branches in Victoria, Saanich, Central Saanich, Oak Bay, Esquimalt, Colwood, Langford, Mechosin and View Royal.
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Contacts: Ed Seedhouse, CUPE 410 president: 250.588.9565
Tammy Simonds, CUPE National representative: 250.812-7197
Dan Gawthrop, CUPE Communications: 604.999.6132
For more information, visit: www.cupe410.ca