The Halifax Public Libraries strike, which has left libraries closed for three-and-a-half weeks, may come to an end on Thursday as the employer and union representing workers have reached a tentative labour deal. The Nova Scotia Union of Public and Private Employees Local 14 and Halifax Public Libraries issued a joint statement announcing the agreement, though details on the terms were not disclosed. Voting on the deal is currently taking place, and branches are expected to re-open on September 19 if it is approved. Negotiations broke down after the employer offered the workers raises of 3.5 percent in the first year of a new contract, followed by three percent each year for the next three years.
Approximately 340 library workers in the Halifax region have been on strike since August 26, seeking improvements to wages they believe are significantly lower than those in other libraries in Canada. The proposed wage increases were deemed insufficient to bring wages up to a livable level by many workers, and concerns were raised regarding the impact on workers’ ability to meet basic needs such as rent and groceries. Library employees in Halifax were working under a collective agreement that expired in April 2023, with librarians earning between $59,705 and $68,224 annually, and service support workers earning between $35,512 and $40,460 annually.
Library workers also highlighted the changing nature of their work environment as a reason for rejecting the initial offer from Halifax Public Libraries. Libraries have evolved into community gathering spaces serving individuals with complex needs, requiring workers to take on additional social responsibilities beyond lending books. Ensuring that workers can care for themselves before serving the community was emphasized as critical. Additional issues raised during the strike included improved parental leave top-up pay for adoptive parents and the elimination of a provision in the collective agreement that allows for dismissals of employees absent from work for two days or more without approved leave.
The strike at Halifax Public Libraries showcased discrepancies in wages and working conditions compared to other libraries in Canada, such as the London Public Library in London, Ontario. The lowest paid library workers in London receive at least $37,756 annually, with the city having a similar population and cost of living as Halifax. The strike also raised awareness of the evolving role of libraries as community hubs that require workers to address social needs in addition to traditional library services. The collective agreement terms, including parental leave top-up pay and disciplinary provisions, were central to the negotiations between the union and the library board.
The library strike in Halifax sparked discussions on fair wages, working conditions, and the evolving role of libraries in serving communities. The tentative labour deal reached between the employer and union is a potential resolution to the ongoing strike that has impacted library services in the region. The agreement, if approved, could address issues related to wages, parental leave, and disciplinary measures that were key points of contention during the negotiations. The voting process among library workers and the anticipated re-opening of branches on September 19 will mark a significant development in ending the labor dispute and restoring library services to the Halifax community.
