Library staff lockout a ‘political farce’

Wow! Joyce Josephson, head librarian at the Nellie McClung Library is upset big time about the current GVPL Board lockout. She politely calls it a "political farce". Josephson's views are very clearly expressed in her letter to the Saanich News (saanichnews.com). Her points:

• The GVPL Board is appointed by politicians who turn over negotiations to a professional negotiating group, the GVLRA, made up of...? you guessed it... politicians!
• The Chair of the GVPL Board is part of the GVLRA but, even though the GVLRA is hired by the GVPL Board, he says he can't intervene in the negotiations. ??? Confused? Me too.
• The various mayors say they can't intervene because the GVLRA is handling the negotiations even though some of the mayors are are in the GVLRA. What? More confused? Me too!
• The GVLRA believes the pay-equity issue, the key bone of contention, has been dealt with. The union disagrees.

Finally, Josephson asks us to ask the politicians this question: "If they are so sure pay equity has been dealt with why not agree to independent third-party arbitration as the union has done?"

We agree with Josephson. It's our library. Let everyone back off and submit to binding arbitration.

Let us know what you think. Vote if you haven't already done so. And please leave a comment or email us at It's Our Library.