You know what type of government you have by the way they treat their employees

BY STEVEN KASZAB

There is some labor unrest in Bradford. A group of librarians and staff are asking for a not significant increase in their pay and negotiations continue each day. The workers are getting a great deal of support from the community, with support signs appearing everywhere.

These workers don’t want much, indeed a fair wage is all. 1.36% seems very little compared to the Mayor and Council members’ salaries. It is not about fairness, is it? Council knows other labour unions and workers will be demanding more pay soon enough. Using these eight library employees as a model for their interaction with the other unions seems unfair but common.

I spoke to a young lady who makes over $20.00 an hour and has many years of experience working at the library. She was ok with a small increase, but she showed concern about her fellow employees making minimum wage. How will they make a living on such wages?

You know what type of government you have by the way they treat their employees. Librarians are the stock takers of knowledge, helping to form the minds and aspirations of our community. I don’t remember any of my teachers in primary school, but I do remember my helpful, caring librarian.

Throughout Canada, municipalities are studying how to digitize their inventory book collections, and with the assistance of artificial intelligence, they will in time be able to replace library buildings, human librarians, and the costs they place upon the government. Imagine your children, and seniors online instead of going to a library. A virtual reality librarian programmed to interact with: seniors, children and maintaining control of the books these people wish to use. Using A.I. online school boards and municipal governments can profile their: users, censor materials and what the age-appropriate user can view. The move towards less school buildings, and more internet interaction has come.

Until that happens, Mayors and Council members, open your purse and give these essential workers a living wage.