Saskatoon Public Library workers vote in favour of new contract: CUPE

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After going a year and a half without a contract, and after around two years of negotiations, Saskatoon Public Library workers have voted in favour of a new collective agreement, their union announced.

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According to CUPE 2669, SPL workers voted 80 per cent in support of the new deal. The CUPE local represents about 270 workers at Saskatoon Public Library locations.

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According to the union, the deal includes new provisions to increase wages and make libraries safer.

Among the points agreed to, the union said, were “significant increases” to wages that bring them closer to Regina Public Library compensation; sick leave improvements; improved protections against working alone; and establishing a joint safety advisory committee to study and recommend best health and safety practices on an ongoing basis.

According to CUPE’S Katherine Norton, the agreement includes a 12.5 per cent increase over five years for all staff, plus a 24 per cent increase to the pay band for circulation associates.

As well, staff at service points will be trained on and provided with communication devices to alert others when needed. Also, there is new language to ensure workers are either not working alone or are always able to either see or hear other workers.

“We were prepared to fight for wage increases and health and safety provisions to keep us safe at work,” CUPE 2669 spokesperson Paige Yellowlees said in a statement.

“This new agreement is a step in the right direction to make libraries safe and welcoming environments for staff and members of the public.”

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The previous collective agreement expired in June 2023. This past June, members voted 95 per cent in favour of job action.

A tentative bargaining agreement was reached between the two sides in September after almost two years of bargaining and mediation; the main issues were wages, cost of living and safety measures. Workers, however, voted to reject that tentative deal.

According to CUPE 2669 at the time, the deal was sent back because it did not adequately address concerns over safety.

SPL workers took part in multiple one-day job actions in recent weeks. That led to the closing of all public library branches in the city on those days.

Earlier this year, the union said library workers were asking for their collective agreement to include “common-sense measures,” including things such as walkie talkies and security alert bracelets.

The workers were also seeking wage increases to address cost-of-living challenges, noting an increase in management positions from 19 in 2015 to 45 in 2022.

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