Take cover! The librarians are striking?

It's not the local London kids, possible eggings or vandals to be scared of this Halloween. The Western Librarians could be on strike come Saturday, October 31st. An e-mail was sent out to students today warning them of the strike that looms this coming weekend. Forewarning details surrounding the dangers of crossing the librarian picket line were discussed. They include:

1) If challenged, express your intention to exercise your legal right to attend classes.

2) Avoid arguments and confrontations.

3) If problems persist concerning safe and secure passage to campus, please call Campus Community Police Services at 519-661-3300.

In all seriousness, when was the last time you met an obnoxious, confrontational librarian? In addition, what would a librarian picket line look like? Orderly I presume, with each librarian organized by last name, first name or some other sort of alpha-numeric code. Ugly sweaters and reading glasses left, right and center.

Not to mention, this whole idea of yelling and chanting goals and requests seems kind of hypocritical doesn't it? I've spent the last 15 years in the library being thrown out for being too loud.

The university website did not have much to offer with regards to why the strike was taking place. However, the e-mail mentions "The University has been in negotiations with UWOFA-LA (Librarians and Archivists) since May working to renew the group's first contract, which ended July 1. The 55 members of the bargaining unit are represented by the University of Western Ontario Faculty Association."

Alas, they are an important service and I don't mean to come off as disrespectful. It is just that this whole ordeal seems a bit over the top.

The library will remain open and students will still have access to all of the services.