Saskatoon Public Library workers engage in 1-day strike action – Saskatoon [Video]

Libraries around Saskatoon were closed Tuesday as workers from the CUPE 2669 union engaged in a one-day job action.

There were picket lines followed by a rally at Saskatoon city hall. The public library workers have been at the bargaining table with employers for the past few months and have failed to reach an agreement.

Workers voted to go on a one-day strike to demand safer workplaces and fairer wages.

“So far, those issues have not been adequately addressed. We voted down our tentative agreement back in October. And so now we’re on strike today. We don’t want to be out here. We’d much rather be back in the library serving our community,” said Paige Yellowlees, CUPE 2669 communications coordinator.

The Saskatoon Public Library (SPL) is pushing back on some of the claims made on Tuesday, saying in a statement, “SPL is deeply disappointed that, despite a constructive day of negotiations on Nov 7 and an offer presented over the weekend that directly addresses the union’s …