New Brunswick Library Workers Set to Return After Court Ruling

In a significant development for education staff in New Brunswick, library workers previously laid off due to budget cuts are set to return to their positions. Christine Silliphant, one of the affected workers, will resume her role at Heartland Community School on Tuesday, marking a joyful return to what she describes as her dream job.

This decision follows a ruling by a New Brunswick court, which dismissed the government’s request to delay a July 2023 labour board decision. The court ordered the province to reinstate library workers across three school districts, along with the hours of school administrative assistants impacted by a provincial budget shortfall of $43 million.

Emotional Reactions from Affected Workers

Upon receiving the email confirming her reinstatement, Silliphant expressed her excitement. “Oh, it means everything,” she stated. “I never expected I’d be doing this, but I fell in love with it and I’ve been doing it for a long time now. I can’t wait to see the kids again.” However, she also shared the emotional turmoil she experienced over the summer, during which she temporarily took on clerical and educational assistant roles before being notified of her return to the library.

While Silliphant is enthusiastic, she admits to feeling apprehensive. “I know that their goal is to get rid of the library workers,” she said, hinting at the uncertainty surrounding future job security. Despite her concerns, she chooses to focus on the positive aspects of returning to work.

“Some of them are very excited to go back to work, some are hesitant. It’s mixed emotions,” said Theresa McAllister, president of the Canadian Union of Public Employees Local 2745.

Union Response and Future Implications

The decision to reinstate library staff has been welcomed by the union representing the workers. The Anglophone West and Anglophone South school districts confirmed that all laid-off library workers and administrative assistants have been notified of their reinstatement. The districts are currently assessing the status of remaining staff affected by the layoffs, which is expected to conclude shortly.

McAllister anticipates that approximately 100 workers may be impacted as the districts finalize their staffing arrangements. The return to work comes with challenges, particularly for libraries that faced significant disruptions during the layoffs. Silliphant noted that her collection of books remained intact, while McAllister reported that other libraries had their resources redistributed for different uses.

Concerns linger about job security, particularly following statements from New Brunswick’s Finance Minister, René Legacy. He indicated that should the court not intervene, the government plans to proceed with layoffs of library workers once legally permissible. McAllister clarified that this could occur after the workers’ tentative agreement is ratified, leading to potential future layoffs.

Despite these uncertainties, the union is advocating for a resolution that would allow library workers to maintain their roles through the school year, rather than face layoffs. “Let us work through the year to try to come up with a solution,” McAllister stated, emphasizing the importance of providing stability for both staff and students.

The court’s ruling has brought a mixture of relief and apprehension among library workers in New Brunswick. As they prepare for their return, the focus remains on fostering a positive environment for students while navigating the complexities of ongoing budgetary constraints.