Lambeth UNISON - Library workers on strike this week

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PRESS RELEASE 21 March 2016

Lambeth Library workers on strike 22 and 23 March

Consultative ballot for council wide action at 85%

On April 1^st 2016: Carnegie and Minet Libraries will be closed forever.

No, it is not a hoax for the Fools Day.

It’s a date that all citizens of Lambeth will always remember with shame.

Library workers are striking on 22 and 23 March to stop the closure of four libraries. 

The council’s vague plans to ‘save money’ will lose four libraries from the borough - including Waterloo to be sold and Upper Norwood to be handed over to a trust that doesn’t have to run a library. 

Tate South Lambeth was also at risk but has been given a temporary reprieve to stay open, mainly thanks to the huge campaign against closures. 

These plans have no support in the wider community.

UNISON are holding a consultative ballot across the council –the first one in years- in solidarity with the library staff. The ballot will close on Wednesday 23 March but so far 85% are in favour of a council wide strike to save the libraries. 

Librarian and Unison steward Tim O’Dell said: “Councillors hoped they could push things through quietly but they’ve got a fight on their hands – the community are preparing legal action and have organised a major campaign - and we, the staff, are taking the only action which we can – to strike.  We have just three weeks before they start removing books and padlocking doors. They can’t be allowed to give away our libraries”

On 22 March there will be a Picket and Rhyme (named from the usual Wriggle and rhyme) story time session for children, held by striking librarians in Windrush square from 10.45am.

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For more please contact Ruth Cashman (librarian and joint branch secretary at Rcashman@lambeth.gov.uk

Simon Hannah – joint publicity officer 07792 843 030