Talks have broken off between CUPE Local 2974 and Essex County Library management.
Talks resumed Friday morning at 9am and only lasted until just after 5pm.
In a release, the Essex County Library Board said it has presented its final offer to the union.
CUPE Local 2974 spokesperson Lori Wightman described talks as tense and says the union is very discouraged.
She says CUPE offered to take zeros across the board, if Essex County Library management pulled the third party short term disability off the table.
Wightman says the union changed its stance on a number of issues.
"They tried to buy us with wage increases and signing bonuses but it's not now nor has it ever been about the money. We even offered to take zeros in order to get a deal and get those libraries open but they were not interested," says Wightman.
Library Board Chair Richard Meloche is quoted as saying “we have presented what we consider to be our best and final offer." “We believe it is a fair agreement for employees and one that we hope that CUPE will seriously consider, so that we can return library services to our communities”.
“This has been a difficult past few months for all of us” said Meloche.
The 58 full and part time employees walked off the job on June 25th to back contract demands resulting in the closure of 14 Essex County Library branches.