This is a subject that I have not seen much discussion.
In Barnet the Council have issued their instruction to sack 46% of Library staff. One of the justifications is that they are going to handover a number of Libraries (Partnership Libraries) to voluntary organisations to run.
This is critical moment in the future of Libraries.
Volunteers are being used now to push through brutal austerity policies and
take the livelihoods of thousands of low paid Library workers.
Imagine if you will, going into work today. There you are
carrying out your job, earning your living, paying your bills feeding your family.
Next you receive a tap on the shoulder, you look up and a stranger/volunteer
says:
Volunteer:
"Excuse me, erm, this is all a bit awkward for me, I really am unhappy
about this but if I don't do this there will be nothing left."
Worker: "What?"
Volunteer: "I'm
your replacement, don't worry they've told me although you are being sacked you
will get redundancy pay"
I think you would be pretty upset and angry.
That is what is happening in Barnet.
Barnet Council are not closing the Libraries they are
simply sacking the staff and using volunteers to replace them.
This isn't a closure it's "outsourcing" with mass redundancies (46% of the
workforce are being sacked).
I have a message for any voluntary organisation thinking of
running "Partnership
Libraries" either here in Barnet or anywhere else.
"Don't
do it. Don't be part of brutal assault on our Libraries. Don't take the
livelihoods of our members and their families."
Join us on 5th November on the National Libraries, Museums,
Galleries demonstration.
It's happening in school libraries too! Many school librarians being made redundant and roles taken over by admin staff, positions downgraded with lower salaries forcing them to leave, even libraries being closed. And with no public or no school library, children will have no access to books for reading or to help them with their studying.
ReplyDeleteA local Labour councillor does the same here and I even considered training as a volunteer. But I was unhappy with it, I also saw the imaginary scenario you describe. The staff at Wirral Libraries I have spoken to are not allowed to say anything but morale has flown out the window as far as I can tell with everyone waiting for that tap on their shoulder. On the other hand the policy is very popular with residents.
ReplyDeleteThankfulness to my father who informed me about this weblog, this web site is truly amazing.
ReplyDeleteHuman Capital Development Saudi Arabia