The Toronto Public Library Workers Union (TPLWU) Local 4948 of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), and the Toronto Public Library Board reached a tentative agreement this morning – averting a strike of over 2400 workers at libraries across Toronto.
The Union has been in bargaining since April of this year and had a strike deadline of 12:01 a.m. on November 9th.
With a bargaining unit of almost 50 per cent part-time workers, the TPLWU has led a successful campaign for good jobs, fairness for part-time workers and quality public library services.
The local’s campaign raised concerns about the Toronto Public Library Board’s reliance on part-time workers and self-service check-out machines at the expense of a professional well-trained workforce.
At one point in the campaign the CUPE TPLWU worked with the OPSEU LCBO workers who recently made similar breakthroughs in their Good Jobs campaign.
“We are thrilled to have negotiated a settlement that addresses our main issues – full-time jobs and fairness for part-time workers” said Maureen O’Reilly, Chair of the Bargaining Committee.
“The tentative agreement will see a number of part-time jobs converted to full-time jobs over the life of the new three year Collective Agreement, and a significant improvement in benefits for part-time workers.
“We also made progress in the area of career advancement opportunities for our members, committing the parties to develop mentorship and training programs.”
The parties negotiated improvements to pregnancy and parental leave pay – an important achievement that will make a difference for the Library’s predominantly female workforce.
Details will be released following the ratification vote planned for next week.
