Library Tech Confidential

Library workers to protest ‘out to lunch’ GVLRA policy [CNW press release] : “Beginning today and until further notice, most members of CUPE 410 will be taking their lunch hour at the same time, resulting in the closure of all 9 [Greater Victoria Public Library] branches between 12 noon and 1 pm. Services to the public will not be available during this time.”

The issue? Pay equity.

According to a post the Library’s website, job action has also stopped collection of all overdue fines.

Library cuts may have backfired, board says [Toronto Star] : “Library board officials said they were notified last week that the Toronto Civic Employees’ Union (CUPE Local 416) had won a grievance filed against the board over the Sunday closings.”

Ever since a planned crucial revenue-raising tax measure unexpectedly failed to pass earlier this year, various departments of the City of Toronto have tried to find ways to cut costs the TTC offered up a slew of ‘poor performing’ bus routes plus a fare increase, the police insisted it couldn’t spare a penny, and the library resigned itself to closing on Sundays.

Now TPL may have to pay it’s staff for Sundays either way — that is, whether their branches are closed or not — because their legal advisors apparently failed to acount for the effect of the collective agreement. The 11 branches located in ‘priority’ (read: disproportionately impoverished) neighbourhoods were to remain unaffected. With luck, if this development negates much of the hoped-for cost savings, perhaps the city will relent and revert to normal hours of operation.

UPDATE: Subsequent media coverage confirms the reversal on the Sunday closures.

• Library branches to reopen on Sundays [Globe and Mail]
• Ruling overturns library closings [Toronto Star]

“CUPE BC president Barry O’Neill says a decision late yesterday to close Canada’s only in-house public library bindery is a disgrace to the Vancouver Public Library board members who voted to close it down.” [Press Release @ CNW Group]