Chicago Public Libary: Mayor Emanuel to Announce Plan to Reopen Libraries on Mondays

From the Chicago Sun-Times:

The mayor has accused the union representing library employees of blocking a scheduling change that would have averted the all day Monday closing because they’re using libraries as a “bargaining chip” to “achieve something else.”
But, he’s not about to sit around and wait for the stalemate with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Council 31 to end.
On Saturday, the mayor will announce that branch libraries will re-open on Monday afternoons — just as he had planned before the union balked at a schedule that included two half-days-a-week so libraries could open late on Monday and Friday.
But, sources said libraries will be staffed on Monday afternoons during the school year by personnel who are not AFSCME members.
City Hall sources refused to identify the Monday afternoon staffers, but insisted they would be paid. The union contract prohibits the city from staffing libraries with volunteers.

Much More in the Complete Article
Chicago Public Library Web Site
AFSCME Council 31 Web Site

Filed under: Libraries, Public Libraries