Doors at Toronto Public Library branches may be closed on Monday if a labour deal isn’t reached with the union representing more than 2,000 staff members.
The Toronto Public Library Workers Union and the library board will be in a strike or lockout position as of 12:01 a.m. on May 2.
CUPE Local 4948 have been in heated discussions with library officials over the increase in “precarious” part-time work and the reluctance to hire full-time staff with benefits.
READ MORE: Toronto library workers launch ‘precarious work’ campaign
A public poll conducted on behalf of the union and released last week revealed that nearly 60 per cent think library workers, half of whom are part-time, should be provided more full-time work.
The same number believes library workers should have the same wage increase as those received by the police, around 2 per cent annually.
Library staff last went on strike in 2012 for 11 days after negotiations broke down with the city.
A rally is being held on Saturday at Nathan Phillips Square between 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. to urge the city for a fair contract.
The current labour deal with workers expired Dec. 31.
Toronto Public Library is considered one of the world’s busiest library systems with more than 18 million visitors to 99 branches in 2014.
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