Ajax library workers are in a legal strike position and could walk off the job as early as Monday, according to their union and the Durham Region Labour Council.
The potential Ajax library strike follows months of negotiations between the library and CUPE Local 3565. The union represents 74 full-time and part-time employees. In June, 94 per cent of participating members voted to authorize strike action if a settlement could not be reached.
Scheduling and staffing are central issues
The labour council says workers are seeking an agreement that addresses affordability, protects staffing and public services, and provides stability for employees and the community.
CUPE spokesperson Devon Ward said management has proposed scheduling changes that would affect workers’ families and work-life balance. The union says it agreed to the scheduling change if employees receive a shift premium comparable to what is provided in other departments.
The previous collective agreement expired in April 2025. The union says negotiations have stalled after months at the bargaining table. Ajax Public Library had been asked for its response, but no management statement was included in the initial local report.
Rally and board meeting set for Thursday
The Durham Region Labour Council is hosting a public rally from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday at the Audley Branch, 1955 Audley Road North. A meeting of the Ajax Public Library Board is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. and is expected to be open to the public.
Employee negotiations appear on the board agenda, although that portion of the meeting is expected to be held in camera. Residents planning to use library services next week should watch the library’s official channels for any notice about branch hours, programs or other operational changes.
No service shutdown had begun when the strike-position announcement was published. A strike deadline indicates that job action can legally begin; it does not mean a strike is certain. Bargaining may continue before Monday.
