Library staff in Southampton will walk out on their fourth strike since June on Wednesday (Sept 14), in protest at the introduction of untrained volunteers to replace professional staff. Librarians are also campaigning against the Council’s decision to close Millbrook and Thornhill libraries. Striking library staff will meet at 1pm outside the Central library. They will then join a lobby of councillors attending the City Council meeting being held that afternoon.
Cabinet member for leisure Councillor John Hannides previously told bitternepark.info: “We have not announced the closure of any libraries with the exception of those that are part of a regeneration scheme, and we have not announced any redundancies as a result of our volunteering scheme.”
Unison union says the Council has refused to take part in talks proposed by Government arbitration service ACAS to resolve the dispute.
“Local communities in Southampton need libraries. While spending millions on a Titanic museum, the City Council is closing libraries in some of the most deprived areas of the City. Conservative Councillors should re-think their priorities,” said Mike Tucker, Unison Branch Secretary.