REGINA:/b> Striking library workers expressed concern today that members of the Regina Public Library Board may not be getting a complete report on the status of stalled contract talks.
If the Board is getting the same distorted information the public is getting through library ads paid by taxpayers, they are not getting the whole picture, said Rosemary Oddie, acting president of CUPE Local 1594, which represents the 180 library workers.
It is not even apparent the management members of the librarys negotiating committee are privy to discussions between the Library Director and the Board, said Oddie.
Does the Board know that the proposal to establish a pay equity reserve fund is meaningless without a commitment to pay equity? she asked. Do they know that the union has offered to phase in any cost of pay equity adjustments so as to not put a financial strain on the library? Are they aware that we are only asking for a basic health plan, not the Cadillac plan they give to out-of-scope employees at the library?
The union is calling on the Library Board to invite provincial conciliator Doug Forseth to provide them with a report on the status of negotiations.
Mr. Forseth has been involved as a neutral party in these negotiations and we are confident he would provide them with accurate information, Oddie said.
The library workers began a full strike on April 16. They have been without a contract since December of 2000.
- 30 -
For more information call Rosmary Oddie at 347-2215