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Toronto Union Wins Back Sunday HoursThe Toronto (Ont.) Public Library board was informed October 11 that a grievance filed by the Toronto Civic Employees’ Union (CUPE) Local 416 opposing Sunday closings at 16 branches was decided in favor of the union. Effective September 9, the cuts were intended to save $400,000 ($410,000 U.S.) as part of the city’s effort to dig itself out of a $575-million ($589 million U.S.) shortfall after the City Council in July voted down Mayor David Miller’s plan for new taxes on land transfer and vehicle registry. Library management made the cuts after legal counsel advised that Sunday hours—which pay time-and-a-half—were not considered part of the regular working week, the Toronto Star reported October 16. But an arbitrator ruled otherwise, and the union is now demanding the return of Sunday hours as well as full compensation for its members’ lost wages and benefits. “This is a great example of the way that our collective agreement can serve not only the interests of the city workers but also the interests of the wider community,” CUPE President Brian Cochrane said in a statement. “Our community needs its libraries.” According to Miller, the library board was surprised at the ruling. Board members “believe management has the right to manage, and has managed Sunday openings before in times of cost-containment, because it’s overtime,” he said. The 16 branches will reinstate Sunday hours October 28, the Toronto Globe and Mail reported October 16. The reversal is the only the most recent blow to Miller’s attempt to cut costs. Shortly before cutbacks to libraries and community centers took effect, two city council members challenged the reductions on the basis of a legal opinion suggesting that the city could not make such decisions without a vote. Then, following a public outcry over the one-day-a-week closing of 130 community centers, Miller chose to reinstate full service to the centers, the Star reported September 20. The library board unanimously voted October 15 to approve the Sunday reopenings, and urged the council members to approve Miller’s new revenue proposals at their October 22 meeting. Posted October 19, 2007. |
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