These library workers are fighting for $1.35 more per hour. Their Ontario town is fighting back
CBC
An Ontario town north of Toronto is turning to the province's labour relations board to end a weeks-long strike by library workers fighting for a wage increased of $1.35 per hour that the mayor says residents can't afford.
The Town of Bradford West Gwillimbury in Simcoe County is heading to the Ontario Labour Relations Board amid a strike by library workers that's gone on more than 50 days.
The town and CUPE, the union representing the workers since they chose to unionize in 2021, met for months before the strike began in July, which the union says makes it the second longest library workers' strike in Ontario's history.
The town's most recent offer was rejected by the union and the town is now asking the labour board if it will provide an arbitrator — a move the union and approximately a dozen workers who spoke to CBC News, say they strongly oppose.
Andrea Vander Kooij, a programming librarian in the town for eight years, says workers, have felt disrespected at every step of the journey to try and reach their first collective agreement.
"The fact that they've chosen to try to force us into arbitration is so disrespectful because workers we have the right to protest. We have the right to remove our labour," she said.
Whether the labour board will accept the town's application remains to be seen. A decision is anticipated by next month.
This will be the first collective agreement for these workers, who made the decision to unionize recently. If an arbitrator is granted, it would mean the workers would not have the chance to vote on their first collective agreement, which determines all of their wages and working conditions, at all.
Vander Kooij says workers sought out CUPE to help them improve their wages and working conditions and want the chance to have their say.
Like many of her colleagues, she told CBC she works part-time at the library and has a second job to make ends meet, but would rather work full-time at the library doing what she loves.
"Most people are cobbling it together," she said, adding most are not receiving benefits.
Vander Kooij says she knows the people of the town are behind the workers, but doesn't believe the mayor and council understand the value the library provides to people of all ages, including being a link between those in need and social services, in addition to literacy programs.
She says she has seen postings in other communities for library jobs paying higher wages but says she doesn't want to move.
"This is my community. This is where I live. I want to make this a better community."
This First Person column is the experience of Shannon Flaman, who lives in Red Deer, Alta. For more information about CBC's First Person stories, please see the FAQ.
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