“We want to impress upon the library board that we are ready to bargain, but we are looking for a serious offer next week,” said Gwen Thomson, president of CUPE Local 2669, which represents the 260 library workers.
The union and library board will resume negotiations on November 19-20. The two sides last met on October 29 for an information session on pay equity, but the last bargaining session took place on October 21.
The library workers, who are predominantly women, began a series of rotating strikes on September 25 to press their demands for a pay equity plan in the current round of negotiations. Today marks the 18th day of job action.
The union is seeking a commitment from the library board to implement a job evaluation and pay equity plan that would measure the value of library work and bring wages in line with male civic workers doing work of comparable value.
A meeting of the union membership was held yesterday afternoon.
“Our members are more determined than ever to continue our rotating strike until we achieve a pay equity plan that ensures equal pay for work of equal value for library workers,” said Gwen Thomson, president of CUPE Local 2669.
The library workers have been without a new contract for 19 months.
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For more information contact Gwen Thomson or Andy Iwanchuk, staff representative at 382-8262.