LISNews: Librarian News

From TOronto

Toronto library workers plan strike votes this week as bargaining for a first amalgamated contract continues.

Contract talks between the 2,500 workers, members of the Toronto Civic Employees Union, and Toronto Public Library have been ``painfully slow,\'\' union president Brian Cochrane said yesterday.

Syd Jones, the library system\'s director of marketing and communications, declined to comment except to say management is committed to reaching a settlement.

Talks assisted by a provincial conciliator are to resume Monday.

To strike, the union would need to present a no-board report to the provincial government, followed by a 17-day waiting period.

If called by union leaders, a strike could come within a month, closing the system\'s 98 branches. Results of the votes will be known Friday night.