VANCOUVER – All three striking locals have delivered a joint letter this morning to Vancouver City Manager Judy Rogers and Chief Librarian Paul Whitney calling for an immediate return to bargaining to resolve the civic and library strike, with or without a mediator. Both Rogers and Whitney have the executive authority to order a return to negotiations. See complete letter below.
September 7, 2007
OPEN LETTER Via Facsimile
Dear Ms. Rogers and Mr. Whitney:
RE: Immediate Return to Bargaining to Resolve Vancouver Civic Strike
We are now entering the eighth week of the civic strike. We all know that it can only be resolved in one way – a return to the bargaining table in order to reach a collective agreement that will restore city services and return our members to work.
We recognize your executive authority as Chief Administration Officer and Chief Librarian to direct your bargaining committees to the table and call on you to do so in the interests of our members and all Vancouver residents.
Please accept this letter as an invitation to return to bargaining on Tuesday, September 11, 2007. Should you prefer third party assistance we would be prepared to agree to the appointment of a mediator or facilitator to assist the parties. Please advise if you will be accepting our offer to reconvene negotiations by day-end, Monday, September 10, 2007, so that appropriate facilities can be arranged.
Let’s work together to restore civic services to the residents of Vancouver and return its unionized civic and library employees to work.
Yours truly,
Alexandra Youngberg, President CUPE 391
Paul Faoro, President CUPE 15
Mike Jackson, President CUPE 1004
MD
CEP Local 467-UW
cope: Richard Scott, GVRD
