All of Toronto's libraries might shut down next week

Toronto Public Library branches might be closed across the city next week as workers prepare to go on strike in the face of labour negotiations the union characterizes as of "extreme concern." The city's previous four-year contract with library workers expired on December 31, and negotiations have crawled along since February.

Library workers last went on strike during the negotiation of their previous contract during Rob Ford's tenure as mayor. Union representatives cite "precarious" work as chief among the issues that they'd like addressed in their next contract given that roughly half of the library workforce is employed part-time.

Should a settlement not get done in the coming days, some 2,200 workers could hit the picket lines as of Monday morning (May 2). It's also possible that if progress is made towards a deal, any strike action would be called off. According to the union, its members have given it a strong strike mandate heading into this stage of negotiations.

Photo by Katrin Ray in the blogTO Flickr pool.