After weeks of turmoil, the Union of Writers and Writers of Quebec (UNEQ) puts the fate of the House of Writers in the hands of its members, who will have to decide on the matter at an extraordinary general meeting on next March 29. However, UNEQ continues to argue that the sale of its headquarters is necessary for financial reasons.
During this virtual meeting, members will also look into the delicate matter of dues. It should be remembered that the UNEQ, at the time made up of only 1,600 members, had initially decided that all authors in Quebec should pay it union dues, up to 2.5% of income for members, and 5% for non-members.
This decision had aroused the ire in the literary community last month, especially since barely 46 had participated in the general assembly during which these amounts had been adopted. Finally, the UNEQ had reconsidered its position because of a procedural defect.
But the union had continued to be the subject of criticism, this time for the sale of the House of Writers, its historic headquarters near the Saint-Louis square. Authors and former leaders of the UNEQ, attached to this place, had once again accused the current management of having lacked transparency. Only the board of directors had debated the question. The members had never been consulted.
Even if the question will be put to the vote on March 29, the direction of the UNEQ sticks to its position. She hopes to convince the members of the importance of selling the residence. “The costs of maintenance, repairs, staffing needs and upgrading to standards, particularly in terms of universal accessibility and safety, which will continue to increase in the coming years, compromise the medium-term capacity of the Union to ensure the financial sustainability of the organization and its development, ”we can read in a press release sent on Wednesday.
The UNEQ has also indicated that a committee will be set up to find leads in the dues file. “This work will allow the board of directors to submit a new resolution to the members at the extraordinary general meeting,” it says.
Authors wishing to participate in the March 29 meeting must have joined UNEQ at least 30 days before.