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SURREY, B.C. Workers at B.C.s second largest public library voted 91 per cent in favour of a strike on Sunday after the 100 members of CUPE Local 402.02 reached an impasse with the employer over benefits.

Our employer wants us to accept major cuts in our benefits package, local president Wendy Friesen said. The employer refuses to agree to the standard wage increase that GVRD libraries are getting unless we do.

Our employer knows that we have the lowest staff-to-user ratio in the province. That means we carry a much larger load than many library workers, she added. We cant accept these huge concessions.

The strength of the strike mandate surprised some. But clearly our members are ready to fight for their benefits and a fair wage increase, Friesen said.

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Contact:

Wendy Friesen, Local 402.02 President, 543-8822;

Shirley Matheson, 291-1940 (289).