After more than 50 years of representation from the New Westminster Public Library Staff Association, library workers have voted overwhelmingly in favour of joining CUPE.
Staff were all in agreement that this was the logical next step for the association and were happy to vote in favour of the change, said Chrisanne Pennimpede, president of the library staff association.
"The issues are getting more complex . and it requires expertise and experience," she said. "We knew we would need to make a change because we didn't have that expertise and experience."
The association first started considering a change at the end of last year. From there, they presented the idea to staff who were enthusiastic about joining CUPE, particularly because it meant they'd have support from a large union who understands their issues, Pennimpede said.
The association is run by volunteers. Library staff have done all the contract bargaining during the past 50 years, something that's required a lot of research and preparation, she said.
"Within our library, and in the library world at large, there has been rapid workplace change, and a corresponding increase in the complexity of labour-management relations," Pennimpede said. "Although our staff association has maintained a good relationship with management and the Library Board, we decided to explore the possibility of having another union represent our members' interests."
With CUPE 387, the library workers will receive expertise in bargaining and negotiations, while an executive from the association will continue to sit in on labour talks.
The library staff contract expired at the end of 2011, and it's expected CUPE will negotiate a new one on their behalf very soon, Pennimpede said.
"We think they'll do a great job in doing our next contract," she said.
CUPE 387 also represents municipal workers in New Westminster, another reason why library staff was so keen on joining, Pennimpede said.
"We believe the decision to join CUPE 387, an organization which enjoys a good relationship with the City of New Westminster, will prove to be the best choice for our members," she said.
The association, which became an accredited bargaining agent in 1957, will be disbanded after the next contract negotiation.
"We'll have a liaison, an executive director from the library, that will be sitting on the CUPE 387 executive," Pennimpede said.
The library workers were happy with the move, Pennimpede said.
They've seen the good relationship CUPE has with the municipal workers and expect it will be reflected in their own relationship, she said.
