Latest offer ‘draconian,’ says union

A month after rejecting the Saskatoon Public Library’s proposed agreement on its ongoing restructuring, the union representing library workers says the alternative proposed by library managers is “draconian” and “unfair.”

Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Local 2669 voted against signing the memorandum of agreement in December, arguing the document did not provide clarity about wages and hours for those of its members moving to new jobs under the restructuring.

In an email sent to members on Tuesday, union officials took aim at the library’s position that, without an agreement, current staff members applying for new positions would have to furnish references, go through a probation period and could lose full-time job status.

“It is the union’s belief that this use of the probationary period is heavy handed and wrong regardless of an (agreement),” CUPE Local 2669 president Pamela Ryder wrote in the email, a copy of which was obtained by the StarPhoenix.

Ryder also took aim at the library’s contention that employees could lose their full-time status, arguing the new library structure does not have enough full-time positions to accommodate all current full-time employees regardless of whether an agreement is reached.

“This is bargaining on illusion and completely unfair,” Ryder said in the email.

In an emailed statement, Saskatoon Public Library CEO Carol Cooley said the union’s decision was surprising. Management cannot change the recruitment process, which is outlined in its collective agreement with CUPE Local 2669, without a signed memo, Cooley added.

“It is our hope that they present us with a counter-proposal addressing interviews, probationary periods and reference checks. We believe that such an agreement is in the best interest of employees and we will continue to work with our union executive to make that happen.”

Unveiled in November 2016, the restructuring will shift the library to a “community-led service model.” The proposal, especially the requirement that about half of its 300 employees apply for new jobs, caused morale within the 105-year-old organization to crumble.

According to the memo, a copy of which was also obtained by the StarPhoenix, those employees moving to new positions would not have to supply references, and probation periods stipulated in the union’s collective agreement would be waived.

The document does not mention hours or wages, but states the transition — which was originally scheduled to begin this month but was subsequently pushed back to late spring — is tentatively set for the end of April.

Cooley’s statement said the document was based on consultations with employees and prepared specifically to address issues related to recruitment, including interviews, probationary periods and reference checks.

Reached by phone, Ryder said the library’s position on the possibility of probation and termination is unnecessary, given that most employees will move into jobs that are “almost the same” as their current positions.

“We’re going to do everything we can to make sure that our membership stays employed,” she said.