Windsor Public Library staff brace for possible strikes

Windsor Public Library services may be discontinued, causing job losses reaching across nine different library branches.

The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), representing 62 frontline library workers, warns that a strike could occur as soon as March 24. With careers on the line, many are left wondering what will become of their futures.

“We want a fair contract that will allow us to continue to serve the Windsor community,” said Amanda Meloche, spokeswoman for CUPE 2067 in a release. “That is why we are urging our award winning Windsor Library Board to demonstrate why they won this recognition by paving the way for management to return to the bargaining table with a respectable and conciliatory attitude, and bargain to reach a fair collective agreement.”

Out of the nine library branches, Windsor’s central branch, located at 850 Ouellette Ave, is home to over 150,000 books and 180,000 total recourses, and is the largest branch in Windsor.

Users feel compelled to save the branches, should a strike occur.

“I use the library as a place to study,” said Jillian Kaake, 19, a University of Windsor student. “It’s just a different atmosphere then my room or the university’s library. I would hate for it to be closed down.”

Kaake is not the only one who would find the closure disappointing.

“The library downtown is my second home, I love studying and finding new videogames there,” said St. Clair College student Matthew Ronholm.  “If it closed down, I would be really upset.”

Both the libraries and the union are scheduled for mediation March 23.

“Mediation talks will take place, it’s a part of the Labour Relations Act,” said Susanne Hawkins, spokeswoman for the CUPE. “The mediator will work with us to go back and forth between the parties to get some movement on both sides. Best case scenario, we get a settlement.”

The Windsor Public Library Board recently won the Public Library Board of the Year award from the Ontario Library Association (OLA).

“It is very ironic that the Windsor Library Board was recognized in January for contributing to Ontario’s libraries,” said Meloche. “By March, management could lock out library workers that are there to help patrons enjoy our libraries. Our union was prepared to bargain and hammer out a fair contract that would allow our members to continue to provide important library services. Instead, management has set the stage for an unnecessary service shutdown.”

Contracts expired on Dec 31, 2015 for the frontline library workers.

“It has become increasingly difficult and frustrating to work in an environment that does not respect workers,” said Hawkins. “From a series of management scandals in recent years, to the disrespectful work environment at our members’ workplace and, now an increasingly difficult round of bargaining talks that could potentially lock out workers. Our members are understandably frustrated and experiencing a very low morale at work.”

The WPL was successful in gaining a $7 million dollar investment from the City of Windsor. The funding will help the branches pay for an additional improvements to the libraries, should the two parties come to an agreement.