Librarians & Archivists: Bargaining Bulletin Vol. 6, No. 22

As we reported last week, the Librarians and Archivists strike vote returned a 100% YES! Mandate. On Sunday, September 17, a “No-Board” report was filed with the Ontario Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development on Sunday, September 17. This means we will be in a legal strike position as of 12:01 am on October 4th.

Strike Preparation – BU Members please complete Strike Survey by September 20

Librarians and Archivists Bargaining Unit members will have received a link to a Strike Information Questionnaire last week. Please fill out this survey now if you have not already done so. The information being collected is essential for ensuring that we can support and serve all members in the event of a strike or lockout.  

Respect Our Research Rally – Wednesday, September 20, 12pm at UC Hill

This rally is being hosted by PSAC 610, the union that represents graduate TAs and postdoctoral fellows at Western, but it is for the entire university community to join together to protest the lack of public funding for higher education from the provincial and federal governments. UWOFA’s President will be speaking at the event, along with speakers from unions across campus and the wider London community. 

As Librarians and Archivists at Western are integral to the university’s teaching, learning and research mission, this is a good opportunity to further highlight the importance of their work as teaching, learning and research professionals – work which is threatened by the Employer’s refusal to commit to an equitable collective agreement. 

Help Avert a Strike

October 4th is only a few weeks away. While we are so grateful for the support we have already received (643 people have sent emails to 6 recipients = 3708 emails in total!!), now is the time to take action, if you haven’t already done so. We must continue to “Get Loud” together and demand that our Employer bring a fair deal for Librarians and Archivists to the table when negotiations resume. 

The ways you can do this include sending a (customizable) letter to the Administration, demonstrating support online using our social media profile and Zoom background templates, discussing the issues with your students and colleagues and coming out in person to help leaflet and participate in rallies. You can find these resources and more here on the UWOFA website. 

There is nothing that can be done at this university without Librarians and Archivists. All teaching and research are enabled and sustained by their labour. The oftentimes invisibility of this labour can make it feel like magic. It is not. It is work. We demand that this work is valued accordingly with an offer that recognizes and rewards it.