A win for youth library workers in Alberta: in the news this week

Details: Published on Friday, 14 June 2019 10:22; Written by editor

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Ah, the power of organizing.

Following a wave of public outrage and community organizing, Edmonton Public Library dropped its plan to cut wages for youth pages.

EPL had recently announced pay cuts of between $2.30 and $2.50 per hour for youth pages last week, using the wording of the library’s collective agreement with Civic Service Union 52 as an excuse, and the United Conservative government's minimum wage reduction for students under 18 from $15 to $13 per hour as the trigger.

EPL framed the announcement as if management had no choice. But as David Climenhaga pointed out, the library could easily have maintained the youth pages’ wages. The decision, Climenhaga wrote, was “shameful for an institution whose mission is supposedly to cater to society's most vulnerable and which nurtures a public image as a major contributor to our regional community.”

EPL’s announcement yesterday that it will not move forward with the pay cuts is both a significant win for workers and representative of the possibilities of swift, targeted community organizing.

Take note, all you Albertans disillusioned with the UCP’s war on workers, our environment, and public services: this is what it takes to win!
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