Proposed budget cuts to Lambeth Libraries were suspended due to progress in negotiations with Lambeth Council.
UNISON members had planned to strike over the cuts on 2 July, but that was averted following the negotiations.
Management conceded on all of UNISON’s red lines, which included upgrading the lowest-graded posts, no compulsory redundancies, ensuring safe and adequate staffing levels across all registrars, libraries, and archives, and no reduction in working conditions for any staff.
However, the strike mandate will remain live until all agreements are in place.
The dispute has been ongoing since 5 March when Lambeth councillors voted to cut £1million from the library services provided across Lambeth, following cabinet orders.
The council promised no closures and affirmed its commitment to the library service, but Friends of Carnegie Library said: “Cutting the book budget by £100K and efficiencies, such as a freeze on hiring staff and cutting overtime, unwelcome as they are, do not add up to £1million.”
A petition launched to halt the cuts to the borough’s award-winning library service has garnered almost 3,000 signatures.
Feature image: Lucy Dunnet
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