Bradford library strike escalates as tensions erupt in council meeting
The ongoing strike by staff at the Bradford Library shows no signs of abating, with tensions reaching a boiling point during a council meeting Tuesday night.
Katherine Grzejszczak, President of CUPE Local 905, representing the nearly 40 striking library workers, said Mayor James Leduc's actions were appalling during the meeting.
"It was uncomfortable the way that he barreled through a group of library workers. He phoned the police on us, and when the police showed up, he tried to direct police to leave council chambers, which rightly so, they did not do," she explained.
- Download the CTV News app to get local alerts on your device
- Get the latest local updates sent to your email inbox
The heated exchange resulted in the meeting ending prematurely, with less than half of the scheduled speakers having the opportunity to address the council.
Mayor James Leduc defended his actions.
"I asked CUPE not to leave the table. We cannot negotiate at counsel chamber, but we can negotiate at the table. We have been waiting to go back to the table many times, and CUPE will not go back."
The Union is fighting for a $1.35 per hour pay increase, which the Town says isn't possible.
In a release late last month, the Town stated it was committed to working with bargaining teams to come to a resolution, "but there has been little progress and negotiations, and the Union has shown an unwillingness to move from their current position."
Workers have been on strike since July 21, temporarily closing the town's public library.
The strike is set to enter arbitration starting Thursday.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6979388.1722030190!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.jpg)
Celine Dion delivers stirring comeback performance at Paris Olympics opening ceremony
Against the rainy Paris night sky, Celine Dion staged the comeback of her career with a powerful performance from the Eiffel Tower to open the Olympic Games.
Jasper wildfire: 'Several weeks' before residents can return, premier says
Premier Danielle Smith said Friday afternoon in Hinton while weather conditions are cooler, the Jasper fire is still considered out of control and that Jasper residents can expect to be away from their homes 'for several weeks.'
Missing 3-year-old boy found dead in creek in Mississauga, Ont.: police
A three-year-old boy has been found dead a day after he went missing in a park in Mississauga, Ont., Peel police say.
Irish museum pulls Sinead O'Connor waxwork after just one day due to backlash
An Irish museum will withdraw a waxwork of singer-songwriter Sinéad O'Connor just one day after installing it, following a backlash from her family and the public, it told CNN in a statement on Friday.
Winnipeg senior's account overdrawn for $146,000 water bill
A Winnipeg senior is getting soaked with a six-figure water bill.
FBI says Trump was indeed struck by bullet during assassination attempt
Nearly two weeks after Donald Trump’s near assassination, the FBI confirmed Friday that it was indeed a bullet that struck the former president’s ear, moving to clear up conflicting accounts about what caused the former U.S. president’s injuries after a gunman opened fire at a Pennsylvania rally.
Driver charged after flashing high beams at approaching police
Orillia OPP arrested and charged a driver with impaired driving after flashing their high beams.
Turpel-Lafond won't sue CBC over Cree heritage report that took 'heavy toll': lawyer
The lawyer for a former judge whose claims to be Cree were questioned in a CBC investigation says his client is not considering legal action against the broadcaster after the Law Society of British Columbia this week backed her claims of Indigenous heritage.
Major Canadian bank experiences direct deposit outage on payday
Scotiabank says it has fixed a technical issue that impacted direct deposits on Friday morning.