The warmth of a 12-year-old girl has helped brighten the spirits of Essex County Library workers nearing their 200th day on the picket line.

Local activist Jada Malott handed out breakfast to nearly 50 library workers at the Essex County Civic Centre on Friday morning as they marked their 196th day on strike.

“I have a lot of friends whose moms are on strike right now and so I wanted to bring them breakfast just so I could keep their spirits up,” Malott said.

Lori Wightman, CUPE Local 2974 spokeswoman, said Malott’s gesture helped lift everyone’s spirits on a day where temperatures plunged to -16 C across the region.

“We know we have a lot of support but when you’re out here in the cold, walking back and forth, you sometimes forget and feel a little bit like you are alone,” Wightman said.

“When someone does something like this, it makes you feel like people are behind you and it does wonders for our spirits.”

A Grade 7 student at St. John Vianney Catholic Elementary School, Malott handed out turkey and tuna wraps, bagels and fruit.

She said being outside in the bone-chilling cold helped give her a new appreciation for the battle the workers have been waging in the ongoing dispute with the Essex County Library Board.

“It was freezing,” Malott said. “Every single day they are out there in the freezing cold, so this is just another reason why I did this.”

Wightman said there have been no new discussions between the union and board since the staff voted against the last contract offer in December.

“As always, we are willing and able to go back to the table and work towards a deal,” Wightman said.

dkristy@postmedia.com