Libraries across the city will reopen Friday morning after members of the union representing striking library workers voted in favour of a new contract Thursday.
Members of CUPE Local 4948 have been on strike since March 19 and libraries have been closed during that time.
Speaking to reporters, CUPE Local 4948 president Maureen O'Reilly said the 10-day strike allowed the union to make gains in the areas of working conditions and benefits for part-time workers.
"We were just not bargaining for ourselves," O'Reilly said. "We were also bargaining for our patrons and our communities, for the services they value."
The union was able to fight back all concessions on benefits, she said, noting this is particularly important for the library's many part-time workers.
The Toronto Public Library Board ratified the tentative agreement reached with the library workers' union earlier on Thursday evening.
On Wednesday, the union, which represents about 2,300 members, announced that it had come to a tentative agreement with the city on a new deal.
According to the union, some of the key points in the new agreement included:
- No concessions to benefits. Benefits for part-time workers will be more customized to suit their working conditions.
- The board did not convert any full-time positions to part-time.
- A modest number of full-time opportunities will be created across the length of the agreement.
- The board's desired cuts to employment security will only affect employees with less than 11 years seniority.
Libraries will be open Friday at 10:30 a.m.
