Saskatoon public library workers set for one-day strike

Saskatoon Public Library workers will be on strike Tuesday as part of ongoing contract negotiations with SPL.

Saskatoon Public Library (SPL) workers will be picketing Tuesday as part of a full-day strike. 

Accoring to CUPE 2669, the union representing roughly 270 public library employees in Saskatoon, workers have fully withdrawn all services and will be picketing at the Frances Morrison Central Library downtown. 

The union says speeches will take place at City Hall as part of a rally at lunch hour. 

Last Thursday, the union said it gave management five days to get back to the bargaining table. It’s been without a deal since June 2023.

In an emailed response, the SPL said it was informed there would be a work stoppage on Tuesday, and that staff would return to work on Wednesday.

“Ongoing job action could take many forms,” SPL said in the statement. “Since CUPE 2669 is not required to inform SPL of the specific nature of the job action, we may be unable to give advance notice to patrons if library services are disrupted.”

The union had reached a tentative agreement with library management in September, after the involvement of a government-appointed mediator, but the deal was voted down by members.