CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Cleveland Public Library union workers entrenched in a labor dispute with library management have received support from two Democratic presidential candidates within 24 hours: first from Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders on Wednesday, and more recently from former South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg Thursday afternoon.

About 400 librarians, library assistants and custodians, represented by Service Employees International Union District 1199, have been without a contract since the end of the year. The union has said the breakdown in negotiations centers around library staffing and security. The library system has said it all comes down to money. Talks have been ongoing since September.

The union workers said workers will strike on Feb. 4 at noon, if an agreement can’t be reached.

“Libraries lift communities, open minds, and offer a gateway to worlds beyond our own backyards. Library workers make that possible—and they deserve our support,” Buttigieg wrote on Twitter, adding that he stands with the SEIU 1199 “in their fight for a fair contract that rewards the dignity of their work.”

“Public libraries are essential to our communities. The workers who provide these vital services deserve adequate staffing and safe working conditions,” Sanders wrote on Twitter.

Sanders said he stood in solidarity with the SEIU 1199 “as they fight for a fair contract.”

Libraries lift communities, open minds, and offer a gateway to worlds beyond our own backyards. Library workers make that possible—and they deserve our support. I stand with the @SEIU1199wvkyoh members in their fight for a fair contract that rewards the dignity of their work. https://t.co/AF9xf333Ch — Pete Buttigieg (@PeteButtigieg) January 23, 2020

Public libraries are essential to our communities. The workers who provide these vital services deserve adequate staffing and safe working conditions. I'm proud to stand in solidarity with the members of @seiu1199wvkyoh as they fight for a fair contract. https://t.co/eMAe4VpNN9 — Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) January 23, 2020

The library is also negotiating with its security workers, who have also been without a contract since the end of the year. Those talks remain on-going.

Read more on this issue:

Bernie Sanders tweets support for Cleveland Public Library workers as strike looms

Library workers to strike Feb. 4 if deal can’t be reached

Cleveland Public Library criticized for message on union dispute

Cleveland Public Library workers give union the OK to strike, if agreement cannot be reached