Campaign Launch

This Spring, the Local 4948 Executive Board endorsed the commitment to launch a campaign in support of the library workers and the work that they do.  The original intent of this campaign was to address the upcoming challenges of collective bargaining in 2012.

With the announcement of the City of Toronto Service Delivery Review, the need for a campaign became even more pressing.  In the last few weeks, events have been evolving rapidly and our original campaign launch date of September 2011 became no longer practical.

Yesterday, at 1:30 p.m. we, in effect, launched our campaign with a press conference at City Hall.  Click here to read the media statement. Click here to view the media presentation.

Our campaign begins with a website where people can sign a petition against privitizing Toronto library services in any way.  We are also working hard to prevent the closures of libraries and confront the layoff issue straight on.

More initiatives will unfold in the weeks and months to come.  It is our understanding at this point that the Core Service Delivery Review will be heard after July 21st.  It will then go to the City of Toronto Executive Committee on July 28.  Somewhere between these two times, a Toronto Public Library Board meeting will be held.

President Maureen O'Reilly talks to the press

Please continue to check the blog, follow the local on Twitter @local4948, follow me on Twitter @4948President, and follow the union on Facebook at www.facebook.com/TPLWULocal4948.

I will be calling a special membership meeting to present the details of the campaign.  Watch the blog and other social media for the date and time once it is confirmed.

Torontonians love their libraries and we should be very proud of the service we deliver to them every day across this great city of ours.  The Union commissioned Forum Research to conduct a poll with the public - click here  to read the press release and click here to read the summary findings.

Click here to read the article in the Toronto Star.  Click here  and here for coverage in The Digital Journal.   

Local 4948 Vice President, Brendan Haley, holds up a huge Toronto Public Library card offered to Rob Ford at yesterday's press conference at City Hall.