Library Strike Day 10

I arrived at the Knit-in at City Hall to the sound of library workers singing "With a Little Help From My Friends".

Some library workers were spinning yarn

out of woollen fluff.

Other library staff and interested members of the public were settling in for a couple of hours of public knitting.

City TV was there

to interview library staff on the 10th day of our strike.

I met four generations of the Fairley family on the picket line.

Enjoyed seeing the CBC, the National Post and the Globe and Mail

talking to the Yarn Harlot.

I don't knit so I was fascinated

 to watch the knitting

of the library workers

and the knitters of Toronto who brought their yarn and their knitting needles

in support of a collective agreement we and the city can live with.

Teresa Stratas: Alabama Song

Bill first heard The Rise and Fall of the City of Mahogany in NYC in 1978. The show featured Teresa Stratas. Jackie Kennedy was in attendance. Bill says that when she walked into the lobby with her escort the crowd parted as if before royalty.

Stratas was singing just as you see her here and Bill fell in love.

Library Strike Day 4

I arrived at the City Hall picket line this morning to the sound of music. Spirits were high. The early summer day was sensational.

There were many honks of solidarity today on Bay Street, and many passers-by asked questions and wished us luck.

Today was the second day of our Story Time. 

We were entertained by one of the Merril staff. I've got to get her name!
[Annette Mocek --added 11 April 2012]

I've made a lot of new friends on the line. We have time to get to know each other.

Library Strike Day 3

We were back on the picket line in front of City Hall this morning. Bill came by and took this picture.

And this one with yours truly in it.

Master Storyteller and library worker Mariella Bertelli read us something from our nation's Poet Laureate. "Alligator pie, alligator pie,"

"...But don't give away my Alligator Pie."

to thunderous applause.

Later word went around that a hot chick had arrived.

Jonathan Hodge welcomed the bystander, as he routinely does.

And was given a moment of I'm sure completely unauthorized solidarity.

Library Strike

Toronto's library workers went on strike today and demonstrated at City Hall.

Did you know that Toronto Public Library is the busiest library system in the world? 

Three quarters of Toronto's citizens use the library and its facilities.

It's the best deal in town.

This from the library union: "Even though library use has increased 29 per cent since 1998, staff numbers have decreased 17 per cent over the same period."

We don't want to see our numbers decrease any further. (photo Ronald Shum)

 Representatives of other city unions came and walked with us.

The weather was good and the feeling of solidarity was strong.

It was nice to see reporters from all the city's news crews in attendance as Maureen O'Reilly, president of the library union, continued her defence of the library and it's workers.

Here's hoping we're all back to work soon.

Queen Street West

Bill and I rode our bikes up to Queen Street West today for lunch.

We had a look at the Japanese Paper Place. They had lots of nice wrapping paper.

We made a short trip of it, wanting to spend the afternoon at home.

High Tea at the Windsor Arms

Bill and I met up with friends Nancy and Beth last Monday for high tea at the Windsor Arms Hotel.

Nancy said it would be a window on to Old Toronto and she was right.

 Beth was at the window. I slid in beside her.

I looked up to see that Bill and Nancy were already deep in conversation. Doesn't look like they're talking about anything very nice!

We each got our own teapot. They were all different. Staff poured the first cup.

I could get used to this.

Once we'd had a few sips of tea, they brought the tower of snacks.

Our waiter started each of us off with our own little cheesy quiche.

Ummmm!

As sandwiches today the Windsor Arms was featuring three little wraps. 

Smoked salmon with caviar at 12 o'clock, smoked turkey at 3, and cucumber at 7.

I was just tucking in to one of their divine scones...

 when they brought fresh strawberries and whipped cream.

Nothing encourages the easy flow of conversation like delicious snacks in a beautiful light-filled room. Thanks for treating us Nancy!