Warning message

Please note that this page is from our archives. There may be more up-to-date content about this topic on our website. Use our search engine to find out.

KELOWNA, BC— Limited job action will continue in 16 library branches throughout the Okanagan. Library workers will continue to not collect fines or work any overtime.

We want to continue to keep libraries running with as few interruptions as possible,” says CUPE 1123 President Rose Jurkic. “We remain extremely committed to our patrons and we value the support that we have been receiving from communities where our members work.”

Okanagan library workers have been without a contract since December 31, 2010. They are seeking improvements to their extended health benefits, some of which have seen no improvements in over 20 years.

The Okanagan Regional Library (ORL) board will meet May 16, and CUPE 1123 hopes that the board will do the responsible thing and come back with a fair offer.

Our position is financially responsible and is within the ORL’s budget,” notes Jurkic. “Our members feel undervalued and disrespected by management, a fair offer would send a message of respect to members.”

Jurkic adds that while management insists that front-line library workers must choose between modest wage increases and benefit improvements, they already receive 100 percent coverage of extended health benefits.

CUPE 1123 will consider further job action following Wednesday’s ORL board meeting.

  

For more information, please contact:

Kathryn Sutton
National Communications Representative
ksutton@cupe.ca or 250.886.6502

Tom O’Leary
CUPE National Representative Kelowna Area Office
 250.762.7919