Thunder Bay library workers and supporters urge management to protect library services by negotiating a fair deal

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Postmedia has not reviewed the content. by Business Wire Thunder Bay library workers and supporters urge management to protect library services by negotiating a fair dealAuthor of the article:THUNDER BAY, ON — Thunder Bay Public Library (TBPL) workers and their supporters held a media conference today in front of the Library’s Waverley branch, urging the Library Board to negotiate a fair deal and help avert a strike.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLYSubscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.Exclusive articles from Barbara Shecter, Joe O'Connor, Gabriel Friedman, and others.Daily content from Financial Times, the world's leading global business publication.Unlimited online access to read articles from Financial Post, National Post and 15 news sites across Canada with one account.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLESSubscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.Exclusive articles from Barbara Shecter, Joe O'Connor, Gabriel Friedman and others.Daily content from Financial Times, the world's leading global business publication.Unlimited online access to read articles from Financial Post, National Post and 15 news sites across Canada with one account.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLESCreate an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK.Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one accountShare your thoughts and join the conversation in the commentsEnjoy additional articles per monthGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountThe workers have been without a contract for over a year now and face a strike deadline of 12:01 am on Friday, October 16.“Our members love their jobs and the service they provide to the community,” said Deryk Fournier, President of CUPE 87, the union that represents librarians at the TBPL.This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.“We’re working hard to get a fair deal, but if management keeps pushing concessions, we’ll have no choice but to strike,” added Margaret Demillo, President of CUPE 3120, which represents over 60 library workers in the TBPL.Get the latest headlines, breaking news and columns.By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.A welcome email is on its way. 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Please try againAmong the Employer’s proposed concessions are cuts to sick leave, parental leave, and vacation and the removal or reduction of health benefits.If a deal can’t be reached by October 16, pickets will go up at all four library branches in the city – which means a strike could be underway during municipal elections on October 26.“It’s really unfortunate to see the Library Board go after its own workers like this,” said Carlos Santander-Maturana, President of the Thunder Bay & District Labour Council. “Library workers are the heart of our libraries: an attack on them is an attack on the entire library system.”Speakers also sounded the alarm about the impending year-long closure for renovations of the Library’s Waverley branch, with no confirmed plans by management to continue providing service or running programs in an alternate location.“I’m looking forward to the expansion and renovation of Waverley Library,” said Lise Vaugeois, Ontario NDP MPP for Thunder Bay – Superior North. “But it’s not acceptable that this comes at the cost of librarians and library workers. A library is nothing without the people there to support the people it serves.”CUPE Ontario President Yolanda McClean pledged the solidarity of thousands of CUPE members across the region.“We love library workers, we love our libraries, and we vote,” said McClean. “When we go to the polls later this month, we’ll remember who spoke up to defend good jobs in Thunder Bay, and who said nothing.”The Employer has only tentatively agreed to two more bargaining dates next week, but the union will be pressing for more opportunities to negotiate a deal before the strike deadline. represents the Library Assistants, Library Technicians, Custodian, Maintenance Persons, Cleaners, Network and Software Support Analysts, Community Facilitators, and Finance Staff from the Thunder Bay Public Library. represents seven full-time librarians from the Thunder Bay Public Library.View source version on businesswire.com: For more information, please contact: CUPE Communications RepresentativeThis advertisement has not loaded yet.Notice for the Postmedia NetworkThis website uses cookies to personalize your content (including ads), and allows us to analyze our traffic. 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