Workers at the Saskatoon Public Library (SPL) will picket Tuesday as part of a full-day strike.

According to CUPE 2669, the union that represents about 270 Saskatoon public library employees, workers have completely withdrawn all services and will protest outside the downtown Frances Morrison Central Library.

The union says the speeches will take place at city hall as part of a lunchtime rally.

Last Thursday, the union said it had given management five days to return to the negotiating table. There has been no agreement since June 2023.

In an emailed response, SPL said it was informed there would be a work stoppage on Tuesday and staff would return to work on Wednesday.

“Ongoing work actions could take many forms,” SPL said in the release. “Since CUPE 2669 is not required to inform SPL of the specific nature of the pressure tactics, we may not be able to provide notice to users if library services are disrupted. »

The union reached an agreement in principle with library management in September, following the involvement of a government-appointed mediator, but the deal was rejected by members.

Last week, SPL said it was “disappointed” that CUPE 2669 members rejected the agreement, which it said included fair and reasonable wage increases and measures to address safety concerns of the staff.

CUPE says library staff are regularly left to work alone at each service point, leaving them vulnerable, as many have been victims of workplace violence.

Workplace violence has been a constant concern in recent years.

A CUPE 2022 survey of public library workers, primarily in Saskatoon and Regina, found that half had experienced workplace violence, nearly half had experienced threats of physical violence, 71 percent had witnessed violence and 78 percent were victims of verbal abuse.

In Saskatoon, two branches were forced to close for several weeks in 2022 because staff no longer felt safe at work. CUPE says staff refused to work at branches because a staff member was punched in the face.

“Library staff and patrons deserve changes that allow them to feel safe at the library,” CUPE representative Katherine Norton said in the release.

Tuesday’s strike is expected to end around 5 p.m. and speeches at City Hall will take place from noon to 2 p.m.

— With files from Rory MacLean