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Date Posted	Submitted By	Announcement
8 November 2004		C. Van Ness New at our website, a fundraiser on Nov. 23 to benefit the campaign to save libraries. Details are at: http://www.bfn.org/~labecpl/fundraiser.html
1 November 2004	T. Morrissey	NYSUT-endorsed candidates, with comments I compiled a list of the NYSUT endorsed political candidates for this election. I also took the liberty to add my personal suggestions in several races. See: NYSUT Endorsed Candidates [MS Word document]
1 November 2004	S. Colligan, R. Peters	Writing Library Advocacy Letters to Your Legislator New at our website, a page on how to advocate for libraries, which a great selection of quotes to inspire you. See: http://www.bfn.org/~labecpl/advocate.html.
31 October 2004	S. Colligan	Budget Crisis Update LABECPL President Tom Morrissey and Contract Chief Negotiator Jane Rosenfeld met with Mary Jean Jakubowski, Ruth Collins and two representatives from Erie County Civil Service (E.C.C.S.) last week. An MOU was signed by the Association and Administration in September for a meeting with E.C.C.S. to address layoff language. When the MOU was signed, neither party knew of the proposed County budget cuts. E.C.C.S. explained the law and answered our questions. The Administration will address layoffs, as well as the current budget crisis at two meetings scheduled for Wednesday Nov. 3rd. at the Central Library. They will also post a layoff FAQ page on the Intranet with a link to the appropriate NYS Civil Service Web site dealing with layoff law and procedures. Tom Morrissey is investigating the possibility of utilizing NYSUT phone banks to contact the Friends of the Library and other groups to garner support for our cause. If the Assoication can secure the phone banks, we will need volunteers to man them. He will update the membership shortly.
25 October 2004	S. Colligan	Librarians Association Members advocate for the BECPL system and the public that you serve! Proposed library budget cuts could mean a severe reduction in hours and service or complete shutdowns. Contact your County and State Legislators to voice your concern. Encourage family and friends to do the same. See: http://www.buffalolib.org/libraries/advocacy.asp
3 October 2004	C. Van Ness J. Rosenfeld	Contract Passes 61-0 The negotiating team presented every change in the proposed contract. Highlights are no givebacks and a 2% raise. It passed 61-0. Anyone who wants a hard copy of the list of contract changes can email Jane at rosenfeldj and she'll send it out in the delivery.
1 October 2004	J. Rosenfeld	Presentation at Ratification Meeting The Negotiating Team will make a presentation outlining all tentative contract changes at the LABECPL ratification meeting on October 2nd at the Audubon Library. The social begins at 6:30 and the business meeting at 7:00 p.m. A handout listing all changes will be provided at the meeting. There will be time for members to read the handout ask questions and discuss the changes before the vote. Because no libraries will be open at the time of the ratification meeting, all members have the opportunity to hear the presentation, read the handout, ask questions and vote. The handout will be posted to the LABECPL web site after the meeting. While Negotiation Team members will be able to answer your questions regarding the differences between the contracts, you may want to bring your copy of the 2001-2003 contract if you want to compare language changes. The availability of old contracts is limited.
20 September 2004	J. Rosenfeld	Ratification Meeting Audubon Library, 350 John J. Audubon Pkwy., Amherst, 14228 Saturday, October 2, 2004 Social 6:30 p.m., Business Meeting 7:00 p.m. The LABECPL Negotiation Team and the BECPL Negotiation Team have agreed on a tentative contract. There will be a meeting to explain the provisions of the contract, answer questions and hold a ratification vote. Since all libraries are closed at that time every member will have the opportunity to attend the meeting. By law only NYSUT members have the right to ask questions and to vote. NYSUT membership forms will be available during the social portion of the meeting (6:30-7:00). The ratification vote will be taken by secret ballot. Agenda Overview of the negotiation process Review of proposed Contract between LABECPL and BECPL Question and answer period Ratification vote Implications for BECPL budgets and the need for participation in advocacy efforts
2 July 2004	A. Maines	Asbestos concerns Some of our librarians have expressed concern over the upcoming asbestos abatement in Central. Here is the EPA's website: http://www.epa.gov/asbestos.
30 March 2004	E. Kopecky	Ballots mailed The Librarians Association election ballots are in the mail. If you do not receive one by Saturday, April 3, please contact one of the nominating committee members. Elaine Kopecky, BST Cathy Foertch, Niagara Peter Arnold, Audubon
20 March 2004	E. Kopecky	Nominating Committee If anyone is interested in running for any of the following offices, please contact Elaine Kopecky@bst, Cathy Foertch@Niagara, or Peter Arnold@Clearfield by Wednesday, March 24. President Vice President Treasurer Recording Secretary New Member Representative At Large Representative (3 seats to be filled) Nominating Committee (1 Central, 1 City, 1 Contract Library) The board positions require attendance at union board meetings, the recording secretary takes minutes at general and board meetings. The new member position must be filled by a librarian of less than 5 years. The nominating committee fills a slate, organizes and sends out ballots, and counts the ballots in the spring of each year. Any questions, please contact a member of the nominating committee.
23 February 2004	T. Morrissey	NYSUT Phone Bank, Feb. 25 The Librarians Association needs volunteers to join me at NYSUT Regional Headquarters, 270 Essjay Road in Williamsville, Wednesday, February 25th from 6-8 PM. NYSUT is sponsoring a phone bank to get out the vote for the upcoming Democratic Primary, March 2nd. The Librarians Association was asked to supply 6 volunteers to man the phone between 6-8 PM. It is important that members realize the importance of voting in this primary. This is an opportunity to send NYSUT members as delegates to the Democratic Convention. The more NYSUT affiliated delegates that are sent, the greater the impact we will have on the Democratic Party platform. Please join me in donating 2 hours of time in this worthwhile effort. Contact me either via e-mail or by telephone (858-7117) ASAP so that I have a count as to who is coming.
12 February 2004	E. Kopecky	Nominating Committee The nominating committee is seeking candidates for the following positions: President Vice President Treasurer Recording Secretary At-Large Board Members (3) New Member Representative (must be a librarian for 5 years or less) Nominating Committee (1 Central, 1 Contract libraries, 1 Extension Services) Please contact a member of the nominating committee if you are interested in any of these positions. Elaine Kopecky Peter Arnold Cathy Foertch
28 January 2004	C. Van Ness at the request of T. Morrissey	Winter Leadership Conference Announced The Western New York Regional Office of NYSUT has announced its Winter Leadership Conference to be held at the Hyatt Hotel in downtown Buffalo, March 12-13, 2004. Workshops include "Political Issues 2004," "Building a Local Hisory," "Grievance Chair Round Table," "Vision & Other Member Benefits," "Negotiations: The Process from A-Z," "Political Action Toolkit," "Legal Update," and "Newsletter I & II." We were unable to find anything online about the conference, so contact Tom Morrissey if you'd like more infomation or would like to attend.
25 January 2004	C. Van Ness at the request of T. Morrissey	Meetings Announced A General Meeting of the Librarians Association will be held on Friday, February 20th at 6:30 at GREENHAVEN. Melvin said to mention it's OK to park across Greenhaven Terrace by the bank since the library's lot is rather small. The agenda will include an update on contract negotiations, discussion of new committees, introduction of our new Labor Rep and tentatively, a presentation by VOTE/Cope (NYSUT's Political Action Committee). At this time I don't anticipate any voting measures. The Librarians Association Annual Election meeting will be held on Friday, April 30th at 6:30 at AUDUBON. Election results will be announced at this meeting, as well as, the installation of the new Board members. The Treasurer will provide a line by line budget. These proposals will be voted on.
6 January 2004	C. Van Ness at the request of T. Morrissey	Promotional Exams Announced Erie County is offering the Librarian III, Librarian IV and Library Director II exams and the deadline for application is January 31st. The exam announcements were put online on 12/24/03 at: http://www.erie.gov/cgi/search.cgi?Format=Standard&Range=All&Terms=librarian+iii
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Last updated 18 January 2005