In many ways, I feel as though I have just started to rise from the ashes. This blog has been on my mind, but I have not been able to find "quiet" time in which to post.
Vancouver's three civic strikes are now finally over. The aftermath continues. The sexy one, garbage, is still being sorted out, with many of us anxiously awaiting the removal of our mounds of recycling and green stuff. The inside workers return is more personally resonant for me as it has meant a return to preschool for my kid. This is something we both needed after the longest summer break ever. These two unions basically got the same deal as the rest of the GVRD (ahem, Metro Vancouver) cities, but just had to wait longer for it.
Then, there are the librarians. I used to be library phobic. Imagine how I managed to get my Master's degree and being a bibliotheque-phobe. But there it is. I've now admitted it publicly. I think it has something to do with old books and the number of people and stuff that have touched them. I have never liked the smell of libraries, all old and musty. However, since the birth of my child, I have really come to value libraries and the people who work in them. They offer such a wide assortment of programs, resources and support for anyone who needs it. This is very cool.
I never realized, but was not surprised when I learned that the main issue for library workers was pay equity. You see, library workers are largely women. And as per usual, our work is not as valued as that of men. This is the patriarchal reality. Nonetheless, these workers decided to take on "the man" as it were and have this issue addressed. In solidarity with the inside and outside workers, they may have had a chance. However, when those two unions settled, we knew that it was all but over for the library workers. They went back to work on Monday. The only concession they got was a study group into the issue of wage parity. How very Canadian!
I suspect that nothing will really materialize from this group. Kind of like Canada's various Royal Commissions, at most, they will be a dog and pony show, without either animal. I am not certain what galls me more: the fact that women are still fighting for pay equity; or, that people still don't realize that women are still making less money than men for equal work. So many seem to believe that "women's rights" have been achieved and that our struggle is over. Not by a long shot baby! We are almost a decade into the 21st century and women's work remains devalued.
I admire and congratulate those who tried to fight this battle. I have tremendous respect for your efforts. We all need to speak out about this injustice. We have to do it not only for ourselves, but our daughters. We should leave them this shameful inheritance.
