Frontline Windsor library workers are staging an information picket, Tuesday, March 22, to ask the Windsor Library Board to keep libraries open by negotiating a fair contract and avoid the possible shut down of Windsor libraries, says the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), representing 62 library workers.
“Our members and our supporters are here to ask our award-winning Windsor Library Board to demonstrate why they won this recognition from the Ontario Library Association (OLA),” said Amanda Meloche, spokesperson for CUPE 2067. “We find it ironic that our board was recognized in January for contributing to Ontario’s libraries and, by March, management could lock out library workers and shut down our libraries.”
Management halted bargaining talks and triggered a countdown to a possible shutdown of library services by 12:01 a.m., March 24. Mediation talks between both parties are scheduled for March 23, with a legal lockout or strike deadline set for March 24. The workers contract expired on December 31, 2015.
“With the recent closure of the South Walkerville branch, to the disrespectful work environment at our workplaces and, now, to a possible lockout of workers that will affect our community – it is time for the Windsor Library Board to step up,” said Meloche. “The Windsor Library Board need to show why they won the award and pave the way for management to return to the bargaining table with a more respectable and conciliatory attitude, and bargain to reach a fair collective agreement and avoid the closure of Windsor libraries.”
Who? Frontline Windsor library workers and their supporters
What? ‘Keep Windsor Library Open’ Information Picket
When? Tuesday, March 22, 2016, at 3:00 p.m.
Where? Windsor Central Library, 850 Ouellette Avenue, Windsor
Note: Workers will stage the information picket at 3:00 p.m. and then proceed inside to the board meeting at 4:00 p.m.
For further information, please contact:
Amanda Meloche, Spokesperson for CUPE 2067.1, 519-817-0555
Suanne Hawkins, CUPE National Representative, 226-347-0242
James Chai, CUPE Communications, 416-458-3983