Library staff walks out again after suspension extended
Times Colonist [Victoria, British Columbia]
Published: Saturday, January 19, 2008
Unionized Greater Victoria Public Library workers withdrew their services again yesterday for the second time this week.
In both walkouts, members of Local 410 of the Canadian Union of Public Employees were protesting against the suspension of a colleague for taking part in the union’s Food for Fines program. The program, which sees overdue fines reduced or waived in exchange for charitable food donations, was created by the union late last year.
“The position of the library has always been consistent,” said chief executive officer Barry Holmes. “We believe that the union does not have the authority to be waiving fines. The authority rests with management, and for them to be waiving what we consider ‘accounts receivable’ on our records is beyond a simple withdrawal of service.
“It has a significant impact in terms of dollars.”
Holmes said management stepped in to briefly run a similar initiative in December, but never recognized what the union was doing.
The union resumed its Food for Fines campaign this month, which led to the suspension of a worker on Wednesday. That prompted a day-long union walkout, with CUPE 410 countering that the Food for Fines program is a legal strike activity.
Yesterday’s walkout came about when the worker was suspended for another two days.
The union has been in a legal strike position since September. The main issue in the labour dispute revolves around pay equity.
Confrontation 
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