The Thunder Bay Public Library (TBPL) is gearing up for significant renovations at its busiest branch, raising concerns of potential strike action by union representatives if workers do not secure renewed contracts.
Scheduled to commence in January and expected to last about a year, the Waverley branch on Red River Road will be temporarily shut down starting November 23 to facilitate the construction preparations. This move comes as the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) stands firm in advocating for over 60 workers at TBPL who have been operating without contracts for more than a year.
A recent rally led by CUPE attracted around 70 individuals outside the branch, coinciding with the unveiling of renderings showcasing the planned renovations to the public. Margaret Demillo, president of CUPE 3120, expressed concerns about potential layoffs, emphasizing the importance of accounting for the workforce amidst the anticipated physical changes to the building.
The $8 million overhaul of the 75-year-old facility will feature an expanded children’s library, additional programming rooms, an Indigenous knowledge center, and the restoration of the original entrance. While the Waverley branch undergoes renovation, the library’s other branches – Brodie, County Park, and Mary JL Black – will remain operational.
Richard Togman, TBPL’s chief executive officer, assured that most Waverley staff members would be reassigned to other branches, minimizing disruptions to regular library services. However, Togman refrained from confirming potential layoffs resulting from the renovations, citing ongoing negotiations with the union.
Funding support from the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario, alongside a community fundraising initiative aiming to raise $2 million, will help finance the project. Togman highlighted the significance of public contributions towards enhancing the library’s amenities and services for community members to enjoy.
The library’s transformation is anticipated to positively impact the broader community, aligning with downtown revitalization efforts and tourism development goals. Despite the expansion’s potential benefits, Thunder Bay—Superior North NDP MPP Lise Vaugeois emphasized the need to safeguard workers’ interests, warning of impending pickets at all library branches if a mutually agreeable deal is not reached by the deadline.
