Library board to open libraries as worker strike continues

The Essex County Library Board plans to open select libraries after its workers overwhelmingly rejected the latest contract offer.

Striking Essex County library workers voted down the latest proposal from their employer Tuesday morning.

• Final offer made to striking library workers
• Essex County library strike stalemate continues

The library board issued a statement following the vote, saying it plans to open select libraries for limited hours.

"We are extremely disappointed with today's outcome," said Richard Meloche, library board chairman. "We are extremely disheartened that we were unable to end this disruption."

'Not library services'

The Ministry of Labour supervised Tuesday's vote, which took place at the Essex Arena, between 8 a.m. and 9:30 a.m.

All county libraries have been closed since the strike began in June.The board plans to provide basic services at select branches in January.

Lori Wightman, spokeswoman for CUPE 2974, said a reduced service with replacement staff at just a few libraries at a time is not the same as having library workers on the job.

"You can open branches, and check out books and check in books, but that's not library services," she said. "Our patrons know what library services are, that's when somebody knows what kind of books your grandmother likes, when somebody visits your elderly aunt because she's a shut in."