STRIKE!

As most of my friends (especially the Vancouverites) know already, the Vancouver Public Library has been on strike for the past 10 days. This is an unprecedented action in the 77-year-long history of our union, CUPE Local 391. As it is our first time doing this, we have been trying to be innovative about distinguishing our job action from that of our brothers and sisters in CUPE 15 and CUPE 1004, representing Vancouver's inside and outside workers, respectively. Keeping that in mind, please check out the video of our "read-in" from last Sunday.
The main issues of contention with the Employer are pay equity (VERY amusing video presentation: - - oh wait, I can embed that one :)

rights for auxiliary and part-time workers (can I get a woot-woot?)

improvements to benefits, and job security (on this point, please read this which lo-lights the travesty carried out against the workers of our bindery who still have no "guarantee" of employment once their worksite is obliterated by highly illogical cost-cutting measures)
I've been picketing my 20 hours per week for strike pay in my own special way. On the first day, several of us commented that there were a number of knitters in the picketing force. So, when we got tired of walking, we all sat down together and pulled out our projects. I've since made a large sign informing passer-byers that we are "KNITTING IN SOLIDARITY" which has gotten mixed reactions. On the initiative of Angela Ho, we have now organized into knitting hats for the Downtown Eastside Residents. The hats can also be bought and the money goes to the Hardship Committee which Angela is heading. Interestingly enough, this job action has probably brought much of the staff of a diverse and very compartmentalized workforce closer than it's ever been. Being part-time/auxiliary means that I have seen many worksites and members over my ten years with the library but people move sites, job classifications change, and some descend into the depths of Serials and Acquisitions or ascend to Level 7, never to be seen again... until we strike.
For the most accurate information on what's going on (the City has paid for a very expensive PR company's work so the papers and news are suspect, at best), please check out: http://www.fairnessforcivicworkers.ca/news
Okay, enough propaganda for today. Thanks for reading. Class dismissed.