Tag Archives: VIRL Library strike

Library strike: No job action today

March 12, 2022 Roy Hales

Editor’s Note: While there were no picket lines on Thursday, as the article below states, they appeared at the Nanaimo Harbourfront branch and Creativity Commons in downtown Nanaimo on Friday.

There will be no job action today in the Vancouver Island Regional Library strike, which began Tuesday.

A BC General Employees’ Union (BCGEU) spokesperson emailed Cortes Currents, “We do not want to be in job action so, in order to minimize impact on communities, we are making plans day-to-day based on what we hear from the mediator and will update the community as far in advance as we can.”

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Education

Library strike could start Wednesday

March 7, 2022 Roy Hales

The libraries in our area are preparing for a strike. Shortly after BC General Employees’ Union (BCGEU), which represents the librarians, issued a 72-hour strike notice last Wednesday, the Vancouver Island Regional Library (VIRL) made a new offer to its librarians. This was rejected and the union responded with a counteroffer.

Their collective agreement with the VIRL expired 15 months ago.

BCGEU President Stephanie Smith said, “Unless the employer comes back with a serious offer, pickets will be up at VIRL branches starting Wednesday, March 9.”

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