Windsor Public Library management has triggered a countdown to a legal lockout or strike as early as March 24.
According to the Canadian Union of Public Employees, library management halted bargaining talks on Monday.
“On Monday, our union was prepared to bargain and hammer out a fair contract that would allow our members to continue to provide important library services, but, instead, management has set the stage for an unnecessary service shutdown,” said Amanda Meloche, spokesperson for CUPE 2067, in a news release.
If a strike occurs, CUPE says this would affect frontline librarians, clerks, catalogers and maintenance staff serving nine library branches in Windsor.
Suanne Hawkins, CUPE national representative, says it has become increasingly difficult and frustrating for employees to work in an environment that does not respect workers.
“From a series of management scandals in recent years, to the recent closure of South Walkerville branch, 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 very low morale at work,” says Hawkins.
Library workers have been without a contract since Dec. 31, 2015.
