Saskatoon Public Library workers strike for better wages [Video]

Hundreds of employees from Saskatoon’s nine public libraries went on strike Tuesday.

The single-day job action is a response to an ongoing labour dispute between CUPE 2669, the union representing library employees, and the Saskatoon Public Library (SPL).

The previous collective agreement ended in June 2023. A tentative agreement was reached between both sides this fall, but in October, union members voted it down.

“It just didn’t adequately address wage increases to reflect the cost of living in Saskatoon,” said Paige Yellowlees, communications coordinator for CUPE 2669.

“Also, it didn’t reflect what we’re really fighting for — the right to have more than one person work at service points, and that language didn’t properly address that.”

Wages and safety are front of mind for employees who say they’ve witnessed a dramatic increase in violence while working.