Library workers at Powell River Public Library, represented by Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Local 798, voted 100 per cent in favour of a strike in a vote held August 23.
According to a media release from CUPE, workers have been without a contract since December 2021 and have been working to address the library’s history of low and inequitable wages.
“The fact that every single library member voted is a show of solidarity and support for the work of our bargaining committee, who continue to fight for equal pay for the equal work our members perform,” stated Local 798 president Fred Stutt. “Library workers are paid far less than those performing equal work for the City of Powell River and qathet Regional District, and the situation is not sustainable.”
The release stated that pay equity concerns of local library workers are not new, having been raised by workers many times over the past decade. Library workers have long identified that their wages start considerably lower than their colleagues at the city, who perform equivalent work with comparable complexity, responsibility, education and skill requirements, according to the release. Past work by the city to address wage fairness among its own workforce excluded library workers, despite the library being a funded service of the municipality, the release stated.
“This is a long-standing issue of fairness, but also one of affordability and the rising cost of living,” stated Stutt. “Library workers provide an important service to the community, and these city-funded jobs should fairly support those who go to work every day to serve our community.”
Stutt pointed to affordability challenges that have grown following the COVID-19 pandemic, and the rising cost of living that has affected every part of the province. He stated that the historical issue of low wages at the library has been made worse by rising inflation experienced in the past several months.
The release stated that bargaining parties applied for mediation, scheduled to begin on September 28. The union is hopeful that a mediator will help the parties reach a fair agreement that addresses the wage inequity, according to the release.
“Our members work at the library because we are deeply committed to serving local patrons, but too many of us can’t make ends meet,” stated Stutt. “We continue to do everything in our power to resolve this outstanding issue, and to continue serving and living in this great community.”
CUPE Local 798 represents about 450 government and social service workers in the qathet region, including those at the city, regional district and library, according to the release.
The Peak has reached out to the city for comment and is awaiting response.
