Members at Bayside Council Libraries have won, successfully pushing back a trial to opening hours at Brighton library. The trial had been announced without any real consultation and required staff to work later and start earlier (without additional staffing resources) – members were naturally concerned about the impacts.
A group of members got to together and met with management, and were able to have a productive conversation- presenting information they had put together on community use of the library and what would best suit their needs as well as the impact of later shift times on those with caring responsibilities. Issues covering rosters that would have been further exacerbated by the trial were also raised.
By speaking up members achieved a positive outcome for all- there was a commitment that better consultation would occur in future, and it was agreed that only the morning hour extension would go ahead- and that it would be on a strictly opt-in basis only. Well done to all involved
