Library workers picket at city hall as strike shuts down branches

Library workers picketed at city hall and in front of the Toronto Reference Library on Monday amid a strike that has shut down all branches across the city.

Toronto’s 2,300 public library workers walked off the job Sunday after bargaining with city negotiators broke down. Job security has been the key issue in talks. The Toronto Public Library Workers’ Union (CUPE Local 4948) has raised concerns about the system’s increased use of part-time workers, who now outnumber full-timers.

One woman on the picket line told CityNews, “If I quit, if I retire, they’re not going to replace me. They’ll have two part-time librarians doing my job.”

The union also says the city’s latest offer would result in even more layoffs than the 1,000 planned in the 2012 budget.

The library workers’ contract expired Dec. 31, 2011.

All 98 library branches are closed and all programming, including drop-in classes, are also cancelled. Users who have books checked out that run overdue during the labour disruption won’t face late fees. All book drops are closed so materials and books can’t be returned.

And as library workers hit the picket lines, Toronto’s 23,000 inside workers, including civil servants, child care workers, ambulance dispatchers, nurses and janitors, could be off the job as of Saturday.

CUPE Local 79 has scheduled a strike vote for Tuesday. The Ontario Ministry of Labour granted the city’s request for a no board report earlier this month, paving the way for a lockout or strike.

Job security and scheduling issues are the key points. The city wants to change the terms of a so-called “jobs for life” clause in the contract.

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