21 Newmarket library workers laid off, as COVID-19 closure continues

The COVID-19 pandemic is responsible for shedding 21 part-time jobs at the Newmarket Public Library effective April 27, its CEO confirmed today.

All of those workers have been offered unpaid job protected leave and will be able to apply for Canada’s emergency benefit program.

Library officials have been working with staff and the local branch of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE Local 905), which represents the workers, to maintain needed services in a safe manner as the public health crisis continues.

All Ontario libraries were ordered closed as part of the province’s state of emergency that runs at least until May 12.

“We anticipate the (federal emergency benefit program) will generally cover their regular part-time wages from the library,” CEO Todd Kyle told NewmarketToday. “We look forward to the day when we can recall our staff and open the doors to the public again. And we thank CUPE for working with us during these unprecedented times.”

There remains 26 staff at the local library, all of whom are working in various capacities from home to follow public health guidelines for social and physical distancing, which means keeping a six-foot distance between others in public spaces and staying at home as much as possible. 

“Remaining staff are contributing to the library’s community engagement in meaningful ways, from issuing temporary online access, curating virtual resources, offering online storytimes and book clubs,” Kyle said. “We are also about to launch a phone check-in program for isolated users, as well asking the community to contribute to a digital archive about life with social distancing.”

In addition, library staff are planning for the conditions of a future re-opening, ensuring the building itself is maintained, updating the library’s website, and working with makerspace, NewMakeIt, to help produce personal protective equipment for local health-care workers.

CUPE Local 905 president Katherine Grzejszczak said that while it is due to unfortunate circumstances that the library remains closed to the public, the library board has treated its workers respectfully.

“The board waited until details of federal income supports, such as the Canada Emergency Response Benefit, became clear, and considered the financial impact on their employees before placing them on leave,” said Grzejszczak. “Staff are looking forward to the library re-opening so they can return to work serving the community."

Of the library’s 36 employees represented by Local 905, 21 employees have been placed on declared emergency leave. Another 14 employees continue to work from home, including eight full-time and six part-time workers, Grzejszczak added.  

Online access to the library continues to increase as people remain in their homes to help stop the spread of COVID-19.