Ontario Public Libraries Week (October 20-26) highlights the important role public libraries and library workers play in our communities. Our theme this year is “Your Library Belongs to You.” Which is very true. Public libraries exist and provide their huge range of services because of funding that comes from you through your municipality. This week,…
(Black-River Matheson, ON) – 14, full-time, municipal workers at the Township of Black River-Matheson are headed towards a strike deadline of 12:01am Sunday, October 15, mainly over the issue of unequal wages, says CUPE Local 1490. “The Employer has been pushing a two-tier wage, something we consider fundamentally divisive because it will mean that new…
(Whitby, ON) – Approximately 300 Town of Whitby municipal workers may be on strike as of 12:01am Saturday, October 14, over scheduling and hours, says CUPE Local 53. “The Employer has made it clear that what they want is full and complete unilateral control over everyone’s scheduling, ensuring that we’re going the gold standard to…
Brampton, ON – With the dissolution of the Region of Peel quickly approaching, workers are worried that their jobs and services will not be protected and are calling on the region’s council to join in their advocacy, said members of CUPE Local 966 during deputations in front of council today. “Not knowing what lies ahead…
SAULT STE. MARIE, ON – An incident on September 11 that caused a lockdown at the James L. McIntyre Centennial Library and triggered a Ministry of Labour investigation is a symptom of chronic health and safety problem in the city’s libraries, says the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Local 67. “Violence against library workers…
Whitby, ON – After two days of bargaining the Town of Whitby continues to push for unnecessary and harmful concessions, says municipal workers represented by CUPE Local 53. “Yesterday, the Employer put out a media release saying that we rejected an offer that included wage increases and benefit improvements but that’s, at best, only half…
Whitby, ON – Town of Whitby municipal workers are trying to avert a looming strike or lockout by ramping up efforts to warn about harmful concessions, says CUPE Local 53. “Instead of giving us a good explanation for why the employer needs full control to make members work an indefinite number of temporary assignments and…
(Cochrane, ON) – Municipal workers in the town of Cochrane, Ontario, on strike since July 31st have just ratified a new collective agreement, ending the strike, says CUPE Local 71. “It was a long road but our members stayed on it and kept the pressure on the Town of Cochrane, and now we have a…
(Bradford, ON) – After 61 days on the picket line, Bradford West Gwillimbury Library workers and residents weren’t going to be silenced, said CUPE Local 905. “Open the library!” chanted supportive residents and workers when Mayor James Leduc tried to cut the number of speakers during Council’s Open Forum on Tuesday, September 19, even taking…
(Cochrane, ON) – Municipal workers in the town of Cochrane, Ontario, on strike since July 31st, primarily over wages, have just rejected an offer during a forced vote, says the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE). “The Employer may try to make their most recent offer seem better than it is, but we see through…
