World Poetry Supports the Library Workers, August 22!
By worldpoetry on August 15, 2007 - 8:50am
World Poetry asked to read at Library Square next Wednesday, August 22 at 1:00-1:15 pm!
Todd Wong, librarian wrote:
“I remember World Poetry read at the CBC strike... that's why I e-mailed you FIRST!!!
It would be great for you to come as a regular user of library facilities to give your support to the library workers. Barbara Edwards, community librarian, who does the booking is on the picket line, as is Adrienne Horton who does the posters, as are the librarians and clerks who put up the posters in each branch.
World Poets reading a CUPE 391 strike.... Library Square.
strike organizers have asked for special speakers at 1pm to be limited to 15 minutes... so we are playing with this format.
Next Wed sounds good... anything past the 15 minutes, and the audience attention may wane... but we could do a talk following in the North Plaza where it is quieter. I am bringing a portable PA system now.
Our main issues for the strike are pay equity and respect. A starting librarian in Toronto receives $7 more per hour than in Vancouver. Our union tabled an opening offer in Nov. 2006, and no counter offer was ever given. The "employer's" opening offer was finally given during last week's bargaining in a hotel session.”
Please read a short poem in two languages if you have a second language. Since we only have 15 minutes we will put in the people who respond to this e-mail first. We may also have a bit of time on the North Plaza.
Even if you are not reading, please come out to give the wonderful library workers support.
I hope to write a poem for the library workers. Todd will be handling the WP Library Square performance for CUPE 391. Thank you ,Todd!
Best,
Ariadne Sawyer, World Poetry Event Organiser.
Hello Ariadne, Alejandro and World Poets
Thank you very much for coming to Library Square to support the Vancouver library workers... with your presence, grace and words.
It was so warming to hear our enraptured audience clap after hearing each poem read by each of the poets.
It touched my heart deeply, when Alejandro handed me a pamphlet with a poem for workers, and when I saw Ariadne's poem especially written with library worker's names on it. You captured the process of how the library workers work hard to help make the World Poetry events come alive, and you put it in words to honour us.
Thank you again so very much.
Todd Wong
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