May Day March 2017

Dear Librarians,

Just a reminder: the May Day march is fast approaching. The Librarians' Guild will be there, and we are encouraging as many members as possible to participate.

Since we sent the first EMAIL about this, we have received many questions. Please read this entire email carefully, especially for instructions on how to be reimbursed for any lost time if you are unable to take VC.

If you read the following and you still have questions, please call Henry Gambill (310) 460-8270. I will do my best to help you in any way.

When: Monday, May 1, 2017 at 11 am.
Where: 11 am at MacArthur Park. 

MEET UP with AFSCME and the Librarians Guild at the start of the march (MacArthur Park at 11am), along the route (from 12pm along Wilshire Blvd), or at the Final Rally at City Hall/Grand Park at 1:30pm.
When heading to the march, or when at the march, check the Facebook page of the Librarians' Guild AFSME 2626 for live updates and help. https://www.facebook.com/librariansguild/
Instructions for participation by Librarians’ Guild members:

1) ASK FOR THE DAY OFF, either as a requested day off, a vacation day, a Leave with Permission (LW) or a voluntary furlough day (WF), using proper procedures (do this at least two weeks in advance, deadline April 17).  The Guild's Executive Board has voted to reimburse Guild members who march with the Guild for Lost Time if you do not have vacation time available. Please read this http://lg2626.org/treasurer/  and email Guild Treasurer Kian Daizadeh at [email protected] regarding procedures for reimbursement of lost time BEFORE you lose time.

Note: Supervisors may request a substitute for an employee who takes VC or LW, but a substitute may not be requested when an employee takes a WF.  

2) WEAR an AFSCME shirt.  To get a free shirt from us, email [email protected] with your size, your name, and your work unit.

3) Check in with Henry Gambill, Roy Stone, Kian Daizadeh or Lisa Palombi at the march if you are applying for Lost Time reimbursement. Remember: You must march with the Guild to be reimbursed by the Guild for lost time.

For more information, including a map, go here: http://weresist.la 

Another website is: http://www.shutitdown.la/ that lists many ways to participate, a route map, and flyer and other graphics for download. There is also a Facebook Event Page you can share that can be found here: https://www.facebook.com/events/211284766016393/

Why are We Marching:
 
The following is an official statement drafted by the Political Action Committee and approved by Guild members at the March Membership Meeting:

We, the Librarians’ Guild (AFSCME Local 2626), are one of many groups of librarians, unions, and civil rights organizations across the nation who have committed to mobilizing people, information, and resources to resist the undemocratic actions of the current administration.

We resolve to support the upcoming May Day #ResistLosAngeles March (also known as a Day Without an Immigrant and General Strike 2017) that will be held on Monday, May 1, 2017, in Los Angeles and cities across the nation.
We commit to having a visible presence at the May Day March, and we call upon all unions and labor organizations to do the same.

We reaffirm our commitment to intellectual freedom, to advocacy for the privacy of our users, and to the foundational values of librarianship that support a free democracy.

We call upon our government representatives and our patrons to join us in defending cultural institutions, fact-based discourse, and the right to gather and protest.

​We urge you to protect all libraries, the arts, the humanities, and the press, from funding cuts and censorship.