There were bears, but library labour talks remain no picnic.

Several dozen people with stuffed animals rallied in Nathan Phillips Square Saturday as part of a “Teddy Bears Picket” — a show of support for the city’s 2,200 Toronto library workers as their 12:01 a.m. Monday strike deadline approaches.

Maureen O’Reilly, the president of CUPE Local 4948, said she’s optimistic they can hammer out a deal with the Toronto Public Library Board before the clock runs out, averting a labour disruption in 100 library branches.

But O’Reilly accused the city of interfering in negotiations.

“We believe we have enough time to conclude an agreement in the time remaining, but we need a willing partner and some of the issues that are coming directly from the City of Toronto, where we think they don’t understand our workplace as well, have been an impediment,” she said.

Workers have been without a contract since the last one expired on Dec. 31.

The library board said it is also optimistic of reaching a deal.

“We’re working to reach a deal that is fair to both parties and Toronto residents, and will work to the strike deadline and beyond if necessary to reach an agreement,” City Librarian Vickery Bowles said in a statement.

O’Reilly also attacked Mayor John Tory, insisting he has only been speaking “in generalities” during negotiations.

“He’s just been saying the same words he’s been saying throughout the two rounds of negotiations and I would say that certainly points to the fact that he’s not aware of what some of his concessions mean to library workers,” she said.

Tory’s spokesman Siri Agrell said earlier this year, the city reached agreements with its inside and outside workers “that were fair, respectful and sustainable. The mayor is confident an agreement can be reached with library employees this weekend that is consistent with this approach.”

During the last round of negotiations in 2012, library workers went on strike for 11 days.

jyuen@postmedia.com