Windsor library administration, union at odds over plan for Sunday hours

Windsorites might soon get more public library hours on Sundays. But the union representing workers says those hours will come at the expense of others — even as the library board chair says that's not true.  

CUPE Local 2076 issued a letter and petition on Wednesday, saying the city's plan for new Sunday hours at library branches will come without an actual increase in overall hours.

Local president Dan Rutherford said the union is concerned the change will hit low-income neighbourhoods hard. 

"They would like to open more hours on Sunday, which does sound like a good thing, but it will come at the reduction of current hours throughout the system throughout the week," Rutherford said. 

The plan for Sunday opening hours was put forward in the bargaining process, Rutherford said, and says the city wants Sunday hours for a "net-zero cost increase." 

"We felt that the public needed to know that service reductions were on the table."  

But library board chair Mark McKenzie said that isn't true. 

"I am going to respect the negotiation process, I'm not going to negotiate in the media … But I will say that you know it's public knowledge that this board has expressed their desire to expand Sunday service, of course without affecting other days of service."

McKenzie said he's heard consistent feedback from library patrons that want Sunday hours. He added he doesn't want to see any reduction in weekly hours. 

"The board has directed our negotiating team to again bring forward a plan where we would have Sunday service at all branches without affecting any days of service at any other branches."

Currently, three library branches are open on Sundays.  

Asked to respond to McKenzie, Rutherford said he "hasn't been at the table."

"I have been there every day. So I know what's been on the table and everything I have seen has been a reduction of service hours." 

CUPE Local 2067 represents about 80 workers at Windsor Public Library and at Art Windsor Essex. They've been in bargaining since the beginning of the year after their contract expired in December. 

Windsor Public Library acting CEO Michael Chantler said in a statement about bargaining with CUPE that the library is focused "on giving the negotiation effort our complete attention at the bargaining table."

"We want the residents of Windsor and all library users to know that we are committed to reaching a new agreement that serves the best interest of the tax payers, the union's requests along with the needs of our community," Chantler said.

"We look forward to reaching that agreement as quickly and efficiently as possible."

Library workers took a strike vote at the end of March, Rutherford said, and voted 96 per cent in favour, though he said it was "not something we would like to do.