Roughly 340 employees with the Halifax Public Libraries are set to hit the picket lines.

The news comes after conciliation talks broke down on Sunday. The union says key issues include pay and working conditions.

Sick and parental leave has been sticking points as well.

Workers have been without a contract since March 31, 2023, and negotiations have been ongoing since last October.

Final offer includes pay increases between 14-31 per cent

In a post on its website, Halifax Public Libraries feel their final offer is fair to workers and acknowledges cost of living concerns.

They revealed financial details of their four year offer which includes pay increases of 3.5 per cent in the first year of the contract and 3 per cent increases each year after. In addition, a $0.25 per hour raise in each of the second, third and fourth years.

“Over four years, this offer reflects pay increases between 14.73% – 31.94%, with the higher increases specifically addressing lower paid positions.” – Halifax Public Libraries

Library branches will be closed 

All locations will be closed beginning on Monday.

This will impact book drops, regularly scheduled programming, and room booking.

In a release, it clarifies any loan outs will be extended and materials will not be due until the library reopens.

Some online services will remain available during the strike.

Library functions have changed

Prior to the talks breaking down, Chad Murphy, Vice President of the Nova Scotia Union of Public and Private Employees (NSUPE) Local 14 told our newsroom that things are different now.

Murphy says they played a key role in providing COVID tests when the pandemic began as well as access to facilities.

Now, they have ventured into a whole separate area of “traditional” library work, by becoming what Murphy calls a “safe space”.

“Our staff are dealing with issues surrounding drug use, home insecurity, food insecurity …so that’s really outside our scope of work as library professionals.”

He says this is why wages are a hot topic.

Libraries are also a place that provide snacks, air conditioning or warmth and services such as printing, computer use, social assistance workshop referrals, business workshops and programming for young children.

The strike by works represents the first time ever library workers will hit the picket lines.

With files from Caitlin Snow