CUPE describes a strike vote by Saskatoon library workers as decisive and says it sends a strong message to the employer that violence is not part of the job.

CUPE 2669 says employees voted 95 per cent in favour of job action, up to and including a full withdrawal of services. The union says after months of bargaining, negotiations have broken down over wages and the employer’s refusal to address serious safety concerns in the workplace.

President of the local is Jeff Bergen who says Library workers are asking for common sense measures like walkie-talkies and security alert bracelets.

Four Saskatoon library branches reduced hours of service in April after reporting an incident at the Carlyle King Library involving intoxicated patrons where library officials say an employee was physically struck and a security guard was physically assaulted.

As well there have been reports of increases in management positions from 19 in 2015 to 45 in 2022 which was accompanied by a spike in salaries from $1.69 million to almost $4.85 million. CUPE 2669 represents approximately 270 public library workers at nine Saskatoon Public Library locations.