A MESSAGE TO LIBRARY DIVISION MEMBERS FROM ROB ROLFE, LIBRARY DIVISION CHAIR
Since 1959, when the first public library workers local was formed in Toronto, library workers have always represented ourselves, bargained for ourselves, and fought for library workers’ rights, with our own voice in our own union.
This long tradition did not end when we joined Local 416, and our experience working with outside workers has been a mutually beneficial experience that helped both library and outside workers cope with the right-wing agenda of the Harris Government and the creation of a vast, newly amalgamated City of Toronto.
This vote is only another stage in the struggle for library workers’ rights in Toronto, and we are ready to take this next step as a new and confident CUPE library workers local. A strong “yes” vote is very important, and will give us the mandate we need to start collective bargaining.
I need to give credit to your own Library Division Executive, Vice-Chairs, stewards and rank and file activists because, for us as library workers, this has been a David and Goliath battle (or, as one our unpublished flyers states, between an Elephant and a Mouse “that roared”).
Throughout this campaign, we were denied access to our own union funds, had no access to any special Groupwise email account, and no money to pay for expensive phone surveys. We had only hard work, personal funds, and the support and trust of our members to rely upon.
I want to thank each and every member, on behalf of your elected Library Division Executive and Vice-Chairs, for your patience, questions, suggestions and help that have resulted in the gathering momentum of support for a “yes” vote at the end of a prolonged and extremely difficult debate on our own collective future as library workers here in Toronto.
It is now clear to a majority of library workers that a “yes” vote is the only way to ensure that our own proud history continues, where we as library workers speak and bargain for ourselves, and fight for our own rights in our own workplaces and union.
In any period of difficult and contentious change there is uncertainty, anger and many conflicting views. My three decades of experience holding union office have taught me one lesson above all others: in representing workers, whose livelihoods are at stake each time important decisions are made, everything boils down to a united membership and leadership you can trust.
Vote “YES”… to continue to be represented by fellow library workers you know and trust, and who know your issues.
VOTE “YES” ON MARCH 10
