Union says job action imminent at Saskatoon libraries

Saskatoon Public Library workers could be heading to the picket lines for a one-day strike Tuesday. 

CUPE 2669, the library workers' union, said wages don't accurately reflect the rising cost of living and that the workers often don't feel safe due to a lack of employees.

The union issued a strike notice Thursday, giving the employers five days to return to the bargaining table. 

The Saskatoon Public Library (SPL) said in a news release that CUPE informed it there would be a work stoppage Tuesday and that libraries will reopen Wednesday.

SPL said in a statement that the union is not required to give the libraries advance notice on future job action, meaning SPL may not have enough time to inform the public of potential closures. It recommended checking the SPL website or calling before visiting a branch.

After 20 months of bargaining, a tentative agreement was reached in September with the help of a government-appointed mediator. SPL said this tentative agreement laid out more than 10 safety measures, including addressing employees working at a branch alone. It also included a commitment to conduct an external salary review and to increase wages to a more fair price.

SPL said in a release that it was "disappointed" that the tentative agreement, which was negotiated and signed by CUPE 2669's bargaining committee, was ultimately turned down by CUPE 2669 member workers.

Working alone a concern

According to the union, safety of library staff is a priority in this bargaining. In a statement, CUPE said libraries in the city often only have one employee working at a time, which it says is a safety risk.

CUPE Saskatchewan president Kent Peterson said verbal and physical violence is a top concern among workers. He said the employer needs to provide the resources and support necessary to create safe workplaces. He said working alone can make a situation involving violence more dangerous.

"One of the main concerns of our members is the requirement in many instances for them be working alone," said Peterson.

"I don't think the Saskatoon Public Library has moved far enough on making sure that no person is ever working alone in a facility or a section of the library, and so that remains a top priority."

SPL disagreed and said employees are not alone with the public.

"The scheduling of employees at SPL ensures that at any given time, there are employees working at service desks, roving (helping patrons) and shelving books," said SPL on it's website.

"In the tentative agreement, there is new language that explicitly addresses employee concerns about working alone during open hours."

SPL said on it's website that it is committed to protecting it's employees and patrons, and takes safety seriously.

"There has been one incident involving physical contact between a patron and an employee in each of the last three years, but that is too many," the site says.

SPL also said it's proposed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) addressing safety concerns, specifically at the Frances Morrison Central Library. 

The City of Saskatoon said it is not involved in the negotiations and that facilities sharing a space with libraries will not be affected. 

"We do not anticipate any operational impact by job action at City facilities, including at leisure centres, and residents will still be able to access these facilities," said the city in a statement.

"Similarly, the public will have access to mail-in ballot drop boxes and election polls for any that are located at SPL branches."