SASKATOON — About 100 library workers braved the heavy blowing snow and the below-zero weather, moving forward with their planned strike on Tuesday, Nov. 19, in front of the Frances Morrison Central Library downtown. Canadian Union of Public Employees Saskatchewan President Kent Peterson, CUPE 2669 Communications Coordinator Paige Yellowlees and MLAs Nathaniel Teed of Meewasin and Eastview’s Matt Love also showed their support.
“We don't back down. We're out here, rain or shine or snow. We all deserve safety, and that's what we're fighting for,” said a visibly bundled-up Yellowlees, the union spokesperson representing the city’s nine libraries.
Alice Turner Library, Carlyle King Library, Cliff Wright Library, Frances Morrison Central Library, Dr. Freda Ahenakew Library, J.S. Wood Library, Mayfair Library, and Round Prairie Library are the libraries found in various city neighbourhoods. CUPE 2669 issued a strike notice last week, causing all libraries to cease operations as they demanded increased wages and address the workers’ safety concerns.
“We have a one-day strike today (Tuesday) planned for noon. We want to get out here and show people we're serious about having a safe library for us and our patrons. We're out here to show everyone that's something important, and that is what everyone needs. We’re here today because we care deeply about our work,” Yellowlees told SaskToday.
“We want our libraries to remain safe, not just for our patrons, but for ourselves. We want our colleagues to feel safe while doing their jobs and everyone who walks through our doors to feel like they belong here. For anyone we inconvenience, we are fighting for our rights, and we are fighting for our patrons just as much as we are. We want the library to be a safe place for everyone.”
Yellowlees said there were many stories shared by her colleagues where people cursed and yelled at them and even experienced harassment and intimidation, which became a daily part of their jobs.
“We want to ensure we have at least two workers at a public service point every time. When you have just one person at a service point, that will happen to you, which can be very scary and intimidating. Also, we don't have enough people to provide patrons with the quality of service they deserve,” said Yellowlees.
“It happened at any library. It's not just the downtown library. Our branch libraries also experience [harassment]. You might think it's a library, a safe space. You're just there to enjoy reading and borrowing books. We want it to be a safe space for all our patrons. We can make that happen by having more than one staff member at a desk.”
She added they have personnel trained on how to de-escalate incidents as they try to make libraries safer and more welcoming for everyone. Still, it would have been better if they did not have workers whose additional job is to ease tension between library staff and disgruntled patrons.
Tuesday’s job action is their second full-day strike and withdrawal of services, which caused the closure of Saskatoon’s libraries as they also demand a wage increase, according to a statement released by CUPE.
Yellowlees said they are waiting for their bargaining team’s report before they proceed with the following steps to continue pressuring their employer to keep negotiating to meet their demands.
"This is a one-day strike; we will be back serving the community tomorrow [Wednesday]. However, our job action response will depend on the employer’s response until a contract meets those two points. Anything they sent us has yet to adequately respond to our safety concerns or our need for all our members to make a living wage,” said Yellowlees.
Other officials show solidarity
Peterson, who joined the protesting workers to show CUPE Saskatchewan’s support, said their employers are trying to cause conflict between the bargaining committee and the library workers, and it is up to the members of CUPE 2669 to unite and say their tactics will not work.
"For years, because of the culture of fear that they created, your employer is used to bullying you, intimidating you, dividing you, silencing you, and managing by gag order. CUPE Saskatchewan, for years, sounded the alarm about violence in libraries. What did your employer do? They closed their eyes, plugged their ears, and pointed their fingers back at you. They are betting on those types of lies, division and dispute,” said Peterson.
“They know what kind of weather we're going into and have today. They're betting big that you will quit and that you don't have what it takes. But here's what your employer needs to know: the culture of fear is over. They need to know that their lies won't work. They must understand that [our] union is united. They need to know that when they pick a fight with one CUPE member, they will fight with all 750,000, the largest union in Canada.”
Teed, the Saskatchewan NDP’s Shadow Minister for Labour, said he and Love, the Shadow Minister for Education, are delivering Opposition Leader Carla Beck’s support to the protesting workers as they vowed to continue fighting for every worker's rights in their 27-member caucus.
“We support your rally today. We stand in solidarity with you as you demand fairer wages, safer working conditions and the respect you deserve. We stand with you and united; we can make real change. To all the library workers here today, thank you for your incredible work in our communities. You play an essential role in connecting people with knowledge, fostering literacy and helping us build a stronger, more informed society,” said Teed.
“Library workers in Saskatoon deserve to be compensated for their hard work. Every full-time worker in this province should be fine with making ends meet, whether it's groceries, rent or necessities. And just as important, library workers should be able to walk into their jobs daily, knowing their safety is a top priority. Your health and safety must come first. The Saskatchewan NDP will continue to fight for fairer wages, better compensation and safer working conditions in this province.”
