Stop the fear and layoffs at library

I was saddened and disturbed by the staff situation at Saskatoon Public Library, as reported in the StarPhoenix by Alex MacPherson on Nov. 1. Most staff are very concerned about their jobs — about losing them or about ending up in jobs with fewer hours and/ or lesser pay.

In May, more than 20 staff were laid off from the library. To put this in context, for as long as anyone can remember (50 or 60 years), only one person (one!) was laid off from the library, despite budget challenges. Now, because of a major reorganization, many more layoffs are possible.

The union president says, “Morale is very low … There’s a lot of tears … a lot of people taking sick leave.” The CEO is quoted as saying, “Some people are genuinely frightened.” This is chilling. The CEO and management are running an organization where staff are frightened? And the library board, including Coun. Gough and Mayor Clark, where are you? You are responsible for the library. You allowed layoffs to happen in May. Are you going to allow more to happen?

To the CEO and management, and to the library board: Please find a better and more humane way to introduce a new structure at the library. The library has many, many dedicated, hardworking and long-serving staff. They deserve better treatment. Please stop the layoffs. Please stop the fear. Wenda McArthur, Saskatoon