Libraries under fire for leaving casual staff in the cold

GEELONG libraries have been accused of turning their backs on casual workers ineligible for JobKeeper during the coronavirus pandemic.

Geelong Regional Library Corporation (GRLC) was forced to close branches due to State Government social distancing restrictions in March.

GRLC said loss of funds from income streams had totalled more than $330,000 in February and March and was expected to triple by December.

But Australian Services Union branch secretary Lisa Darmanin called on the library to provide staff with some income or redeploy them until regular work returns.

“A library does not exist to make a profit,” she said.

One anonymous employee said they had battled with anxiety since the pandemic began.

“I’ve suffered bouts of depression, as casuals were deemed ‘surplus to requirements’,” the employee said.

GRLC chief executive Patti Manolis said the corporation had faced a tough time since libraries closed on March 18.

“This difficult decision was made due to there being no further relief work available,” she said. Casual staff with rostered shifts were paid until the end of March. Part-time and full-time staff continued to be paid and worked from home.

“We are making considered decisions based on a commitment to doing what is best for the communities we serve and for the sustainability of the organisation,” Ms Manolis said

The region’s libraries will open with shorter hours from June 9. “We will be re-engaging casual staff but anticipate that for the first few months it will not be at the same levels that were in place preCOVID-19, due to fewer available shifts and the ongoing loss of income,” she said.