Toronto Public Library Board continues to seek a negotiated settlement

TORONTO , Oct. 23 /CNW/ - The Toronto Public Library Board today received notification of a "No-Board" report from the Ontario Ministry of Labour. The Board confirms it will continue to seek a negotiated settlement with the Toronto Public Library Workers' Union Local 4948 up to the legal strike deadline and beyond if necessary.

The "No-Board" report sets a legal strike/lock-out deadline of 12:01 a.m. on Monday, November 9, 2009 , which is the earliest date library workers will be in a legal strike position. Bargaining between the Library Board and Union to negotiate a collective agreement began in April 2009 .

All library branches remain open as negotiations continue up to the legal strike deadline and possibly beyond. All scheduled programs and events will take place as planned.

Toronto Public Library is committed to negotiating a settlement that is fair and reasonable to employees and responsible to the residents of Toronto . During negotiations the Library does not comment on the subjects being discussed at the bargaining table.

Toronto Public Library is the world's busiest urban public library system. Every year, more than 16 million people visit our 99 branches and borrow almost 30 million items. To learn more about Toronto Public Library, visit our website at www.torontopubliclibrary.ca or call Answerline at 416-393-7131.

For further information: Media Contact: Ana-Maria Critchley, [email protected], [phone] (office), [phone] (cell)