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Workers on strike at Vancouver Art Gallery

Workers reported to picket captains one week after notice issued to gallery managers
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The Vancouver Art Gallery is pictured in June 2014. (kay yamagishi/Flickr)

Unionized workers of the Vancouver Art Gallery started striking Tuesday morning, one week after issuing a strike notice to their employer.

The work stoppage is a result of stalled bargaining between the gallery managers and Canadian Union of Public Employees Local 15 staff.

Sticking points include “major changes” to scheduling, the union has said.

READ MORE: Union issues 72-hour strike notice to Vancouver Art Gallery

“We are on strike,” a notice on the CUPE 15 website announced to its members. “A strike means we cease all work including direct correspondence, emails, phone calls, and text messages.

“We ask that you do not report to managers during this time as it will prolong the work stoppage,” the notice said. “It is our goal to get a fair deal and we hope to be back to work as soon as possible.”

According to Johanie Marcoux, director of marketing, communications and public affairs at the gallery, they are waiting for the Labour Relations Board to confirm a date and time for an employee vote on their proposal to take place.

“The current status is that both the union and the gallery have approved the submission of our proposal to be submitted to employees for a vote, which will provide them an opportunity to vote on their future,” Marcoux told Black Press Media.

Marcoux added that when it comes to benefits, there have been no proposed rollbacks for its current team members.

“In fact in many cases, benefits have been enhanced,” she said. “The gallery very much values its unionized employees and appreciates all their contributions.”



karissa.gall@blackpress.ca

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