Toronto library workers strike

Part-time job security critical issue

Library workers in the city of Toronto went on strike on March 19 after marathon talks failed to arrive at a new collective agreement.

UPDATE: Toronto library workers reach tentative deal with city

A strike deadline of midnight Saturday, March 17 was extended until late March 18, but no tentative agreement could be reached. As a result, 2,300 library personnel staffing 98 locations walked off the job on Monday morning.

The union that represents the library’s employees, Local 4948 of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), wants a better deal for the 70 per cent of workers who are part-time.

Meanwhile, the city’s inside local, CUPE 79, will hold a strike vote on March 20. The two sides were talking on March 19 after three days with no meetings scheduled.

The city received a “no-board” report on March 9 and the earliest a strike or lock-out could be launched is March 24.

Wages and job security are among the many issues dividing the parties.

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