Keep libraries shut until strike is over, mayor recommends
Partial openings will hike tensions, says Leamington’s John Paterson
Opening Leamington’s library branch will do nothing to advance negotiations between the striking workers and the library board, says the town’s mayor.
Leamington Mayor John Paterson said he has sent a letter on behalf of the town to the Essex County Library Board asking them not to open the Leamington branch until the strike is resolved.
“It is very much our feelings that this will have a negative impact on an already tense situation between CUPE Local 2974 and the Essex County Library Board,” Paterson said Tuesday.
“We want CUPE and the library board to find an agreement and get the libraries opened up on a fulltime basis.
“We would rather not be part of a temporary opening under these circumstances.”
The board declared earlier this month it will use managers to open larger county branches on a rotating basis starting in January.
The exact process in how they will accomplish the openings has not yet been released and is expected to be discussed at the board’s next meeting on Jan. 25, 2017.
Fifty-seven county library employees have been on strike since June 25 — making it one of the longest strikes in the region’s history.
The staff voted overwhelmingly against the board’s “best and final” contract offer earlier this month.
Board chair Richard Meloche told the Star people have expressed a desire to have the libraries reopened and so the board is “going to try and give them a little bit of service.”
Meloche was unavailable for comment on Tuesday but issued a statement that the board is “considering a number of alternatives to delivering library services ... including the possibility of opening select branches for limited hours.”
But CUPE Local 2974 spokeswoman Lori Wightman said opening the library involves more than putting a body behind the desk to exchange books.
“These librarians work to connect communities,” Wightman said, adding that she’s heartened to have the Leamington mayor’s support.
Wightman said she hopes Leamington’s actions will encourage other municipalities to follow suit.
There are currently no new negotiations planned between the library board and the workers.
We want CUPE and the library board to find an agreement and get the libraries opened up on a full-time basis.