Mediation Talks set to resume in ongoing Essex County Library Strike

The National President of CUPE will be in McGregor on Thursday for a rally to boost striking library workers in Essex County.

The strike has not hit Day 40 for CUPE Local 2974.

President Ian Nash told CTV News on Tuesday that mediated talks will resume with the Library Board on Monday August 8^th.

Nash says differences on the matter of sick time are making it difficult to reach a tentative agreement.

Fifty-eight library staff hit the picket line on June 25^th.

The fourteen library branches in the county have been closed since that date.

The last time the parties sat down, back on July 15^th, mediation only lasted for three hours, according to CUPE officials.

The new talks on Monday come after an arbitrator ruled the County cannot change the sick policy for Essex Windsor EMS.

CUPE officials believe if the County can’t change the policy for 280 paramedics, they shouldn’t be able to change it for 58 library workers.