Library union to fight replacement of staff with security cameras

The Toronto Public Library Workers Union opposes plans by management at Toronto Public Library to extend library hours by replacing library staff with security cameras.

http://www.local4948.org

http://torontoist.com/2017/04/library-union-prepares-fight-staffless-library-pilot-project/

Tentative Deal for Toronto Public Library Workers

Toronto Public Library Workers Union (CUPE Local 4948) has reached a tentative agreement with the library administration on a new four-year contract. The union engaged in a number of activities over the past few weeks to raise awareness and community support, including a public opinion poll and a Teddy Bears Picket. One of the biggest issues for the union was the precarious nature of work in the library system. Details of the contract are not currently available.

Toronto Library Workers Request No Board Report

Toronto Public Library Workers Union (CUPE Local 4948) has requested a no board report with the Ontario Labour Ministry after failing to come to an agreement on a new contract with the library board. The library workers may soon be in a strike position.

Read-In At Toronto Reference Library

Members of the Toronto Public Library Workers Union (CUPE Local 4948) held a read-in at the Toronto Reference Library earlier this week. Authors, library patrons and library supporters also participated in the event. The union is currently in negotiations with the library board. One of the most pressing issues facing workers in the Toronto library system is the high rate of precarious employees.

Toronto Public Library Workers Vote for Strike Action

Members of Toronto Public Library Workers Union (CUPE Local 4948) have voted in favor of strike action as contract negotiations with the city continue. As previously noted on this blog, one of the major issues for the union is the increasing number of precarious positions in the library system.

The Precarity Monster

The Toronto Public Library Workers Union has created a video addressing the issue of precarious work in their library system (see below). This issue is of central concern to the contract negotiations currently ongoing between the union and the city of Toronto. Maureen O'Reilly, president of the union, has stated:

"We're a female-dominated workplace. Precarious work hurts women, racialized workers and youth the most. We have given generously to the City's fiscal responsibility -- saving money off the backs of the most vulnerable workers in the library is just no longer acceptable."

Library supporters are encouraged to email the Chair of the Toronto Public Library Board to voice their concern with the lack of stable, full-time positions at Toronto's libraries.

The Toronto Public Library Workers' Union Awarded for Campaign

CUPE 4948 - The Toronto Public Library Workers' Union - has been awarded the Ontario Library Association's Media and Communications award for their "Our Public Library" campaign, which was launched in response to proposed budget cuts and suggestions that the library system be privatized.

OLA's Media and Communications award is given annually to "individuals and companies that present libraries and librarians in a constructive light, breaking down stereotypical images often associated with the profession".

Toronto strike comes to an end

TPLWU workers are back on the job as of today after voting to end their 11-day strike and return to work.  From the story:

"Under the new four-year collective agreement, full-time and part-time workers will be protected from layoffs after they earn 11 years of seniority. All 2,300 workers will get a raise, though their wages will not keep up with the current rate of inflation."

However, it was not a total victory as many of the union's demands for security were not fully met.  But congratulations to our comrades in Toronto on your successful strike that was an inspiration to many!

Knitting on the picket line

After a successful read-in, library workers on the picket line in Toronto are now knitting!

Toronto updates

The workers of the Toronto Public Library Workers Union continue to strike.  The union hosted a "read-in" on Sunday at the Toronto Reference Library, wherein supporters of the union were encouraged to attend the rally with a copy of their favorite Canadian book and participate in a group reading session.  The struggle continues!

Strike!

The situation in Toronto has finally come to a head as the Toronto Public Library Workers Union has gone on strike as of Monday.  There's lots of coverage of this situation so rather than repeating it, just go here, here, here, or here.

Solidarity with TPLWU!

Toronto library workers rally

Toronto library workers rallied on Wednesday in advance of a possible strike.  The purpose of the rally was to inform the public of the issues at stake, which includes a push by management toward a greater percentage of part-time staffing without benefits or security.  The TPLWU also accuses library management of moving the system toward a "big box store model" with fewer resources available to the public for their information-gathering needs.

Part-time workers at TPL

There are now more part-time workers in the Toronto Public Library than full-time workers, says TPLWU head Maureen O'Reilly.  From the article:

"There's a disturbing trend towards a retail model of staffing at TPL, and part-timers being used to fill holes in the schedule means we feel interchangeable," Bissell said, adding she sometimes works short shifts of three and a half hours for 12 consecutive days.

Toronto Public Library workers set to strike

Workers at the Toronto Public Library have announced that they could go on strike as of March 18 after the Ontario Minister of Labour filed a "no-board" report on their behalf.  The strike would come as opposition to the neo-conservative policies of Toronto mayor Rob Ford, who came to office with threats to privatize and/or slash a wide berth of public services.

Toronto Public Library negotiations at an impasse

The Toronto Public Library Workers Union has called for a "no board," or a recognition by the Ontario Ministry of Labour that the negotiations have stalled.  Such a move would put the union in a legal strike position 17 days after an official "no board" recognition.

Toronto Sun at it again

Perhaps I shouldn't care, but that paragon of journalistic virtue the Toronto Sun is once again red-baiting the Toronto Public Library Workers Union in their campaign against neo-conservative Mayor Rob Ford.  According to Sun columnist Sue-Ann Levy, any attempt by a union to protect its membership and a valuable public service is tantamount to sending Red Guards out to round up undesirables...

Toronto Public Library Workers Union faces tough negotiations

Toronto Mayor Rob Ford has recently concluded negotiations with "outside workers" employed by the city and is likely to use the harsh measures imposed in these sessions on other unions coming up for negotiation, including the Toronto Public Library Workers Union.  Union president Maureen O'Reilly, however, claims that she will not allow TPL to become "the Wal-Mart of public libraries" in reference to the low wages and non-existant benefits that that company is famous for.

Toronto Public Library Workers Union update

Lots to report from Toronto: the Toronto Sun (a publication with an overtly right-wing agenda that has aligned itself with the neo-conservative Rob Ford, mayor of Toronto) is red-baiting Toronto Public Library Workers Union president Maureen O'Reilly for daring to oppose Ford's agenda, TPLWU has filed for conciliation in their negotiations with the city, and the TPLWU has been working with other Toronto public sector unions to present a united front against city administrations.

Toronto update

The situation continues to develop in Toronto.  According to a new poll commissioned by the Toronto Public Library Workers Union, Toronto residents would like to see surplus municipal funds used to save library hours.  The union also continues to fight on the public relations front by enlisting the support of prominent authors to sway the opinions of city administration.  More to come, no doubt.

Budget battle in Toronto

The Toronto Public Library Workers Union (TPLWU) is preparing for a fight over proposed funding cuts being touted by Mayor Rob Ford.  Maureen O’Reilly, president of TPLWU, is calling the proposed cuts "an insult to Torontonians."