BCGEU Local 702 Strike Notice
February 28, 2022
BCGEU Local 702 strike notice against Vancouver Island Regional Library
Vancouver Island Regional Library (VIRL) and BC General Employees’ Union Local 702 (BCGEU) have been bargaining the expired BCGEU Collective Agreement (January 1, 2016 – December 31, 2020) since September 2021. On Tuesday, February 22, BCGEU notified VIRL that its members had voted 95% in favour of a strike mandate. On the afternoon of Friday, February 25, BCGEU served 72- hour strike notice. Job action may start as soon as 8am on Thursday, March 3.
Job action may include primary, secondary or rotational picketing at VIRL locations. As a result, we regret that VIRL’s service delivery will be impacted, though precise impacts remain unclear at this time. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may cause, and commit to continuing constructive efforts towards bargaining resolution with our valued colleagues. BCGEU Local 702 represents 42 fulltime employees, 12% of VIRL’s permanent workforce. These employees are professional librarians and colleagues who work at 20 of 39 branches, and in Information Technology, Collections, and Support Services divisions. VIRL’s CUPE Local 401 employees, representing 55% of VIRL’s permanent workforce, will be honouring any BCGEU picket lines. VIRL jointly ratified a Collective Agreement with CUPE 401 in late 2021.
VIRL’s 2022 operating budget is $31 Million. 95% of the budget are fixed costs, and 65% of those are wages and benefits. Now in our 86th year, VIRL provides critical and accountable services and resources to communities throughout the region.
Updates will be provided as they come available.
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Media Contact
David Carson, Director, Corporate Communications
250.327.3651
dcarson@virl.bc.ca