The Thunder Bay Public Library has called off a mayoral forum scheduled for Thursday evening at its County Park branch due to a strike by library workers in the northern Ontario city.
“We recognize how difficult any strike can be for library staff and the public, and we want to avoid causing any unintended conflicts,” Richard Togman, the CEO of the public library system, mentioned in a statement.
“While we are saddened that we cannot facilitate this important democratic event for our community, our main focus is reaching a fair agreement with our employees.”
After about a year of stalled negotiations, roughly 70 library workers from CUPE Local 3120 and 87-18 initiated their strike on Thursday across all four branches in the city. The contracts for both unions have been expired for nearly a year.
As a result, the library system has temporarily shut down its branches.
Important Concessions Proposed
“Sadly, even though both union locals are willing to negotiate, the employer has chosen to step away from discussions,” said Jana O’Flaherty, vice president of CUPE 3120 and a technician at the library.
“We want to return to work. We enjoy what we do, appreciate our patrons, and we’re part of this community too. This strike affects everyone negatively. We don’t want it, but we can’t agree to what has been proposed by management.”
O’Flaherty explained that workers aren’t demanding much; they just want to retain what they currently have-especially their benefits-so they can afford their jobs.
They also expect management to take negotiations seriously, she added.
After an impasse in off-and-on negotiations spanning roughly a year, about 70 library workers under CUPE Local 3120 and 87-18 began a strike at all four Thunder Bay Public Library branches on Oct. 15. (Marc Doucette/CBC)
“I hope we can get back to negotiating soon..,” O’Flaherty expressed. “We need some movement from management’s side; so far that hasn’t happened.”
The unions aren’t alone in wanting a quick resolution.
“I believe it’s beneficial for everyone involved-including the library staff-to return so we can fully open up for the community [and] allow them to resume their roles,” Togman stated during an interview with .
Seeking Compromise
Togman mentioned that while concessions have been offered by the library system, there currently isn’t enough give-and-take where both parties feel motivated to reach “a fair compromise that works for everyone.”
The library system proposed increases in wages and benefits-including short-term disability coverage and maintaining full pension plans-and offered to cover nearly all benefit costs for employees according to Togman.
Local library workers strike outside the Mary JL Black branch. (Marc Doucette/CBC)
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