Toronto public library workers have asked the Ministry of Labour to issue a "no board" report, a move that could start the clock ticking towards a strike or lockout.
CUPE Local 4948 President Maureen O'Reilly made the request Friday morning, citing an impasse in negotiations with the city.
If the report is filed it would put the union in a legal strike position and the city in a legal lockout position after a 17-day negotiating window. The job action would affect 2,400 workers.
During a press conference Friday morning O'Reilly said members of CUPE Local 4948 have already voted 91 per cent in favour of a strike.
"We had a very favourable response to the strike vote, but it is our intention to keep bargaining and to reach a negotiated settlement. The library workers have done that each and every time since amalgamation and we intend to again do that," she said. "We are hoping the ‘no board' report just brings focus and concentration to the table."
The term "no-board" refers to the fact that by issuing the report, a conciliator is recommending that a conciliation board not be brought in.
Job security a sticking point
The contract between CUPE Local 4948 and the city expired at midnight on Dec. 31.
Negotiations have been ongoing since then, but little headway has been made according to O'Reilly.
The main sticking points that have prevented a new deal have revolved around job security and the city's desire to have part-time workers play a bigger role in running libraries.
Fifty per cent of CUPE Local 4948 members are part-time employees and the city is reportedly looking to replace many full-time workers with part-time employees.
"Fiscal issues have been front and centre and we are aware of them, but we have unique circumstances that need to be addressed," O'Reilly said. "Workers are subject to more and more of a precarious workplace and that has to stop."
O'Reilly said she expects the "no-board" report to be filed next Thursday, which coincidentally is when the union and the city are scheduled to return to the bargaining table.
In January, the city requested a "no-board" report in its negotiations with CUPE Local 416, but a settlement was reached before any labour action was taken.
