Union Library Workers

Fudning to Jacksonville Public Library to be evaluated

2012-03-08T12:21:00.000-08:00

The funding of Jacksonville Public Library will be evaluated to determine the best course of action to meet popular demand for library services in the Florida city. The library, which has had one quarter of its staff cut in the past seven years, currently gets its funding from a large pot of city funds that is distributed on a priority basis. However, there is a clear voice for giving the library system dedicated funding as that might alleviate some of the system's woes.

Good news from Terrace, BC

2012-03-08T12:16:00.000-08:00

The library in Terrace, British Columbia actually had its budget increased in order to prevent service cuts. Terrace council apparently saw the worth of the library and, in contradiction to how just about every other municipality on the continent has been handling this sort of situation, increased funding to this valued public service.

Part-time workers at TPL

2012-03-08T12:11:00.000-08:00

There are now more part-time workers in the Toronto Public Library than full-time workers, says TPLWU head Maureen O'Reilly. From the article:

"There's a disturbing trend towards a retail model of staffing at TPL, and part-timers being used to fill holes in the schedule means we feel interchangeable," Bissell said, adding she sometimes works short shifts of three and a half hours for 12 consecutive days.

Library budget cuts across the US

2012-03-08T12:08:00.000-08:00

Here's an interesting article from The Atlantic that focuses on budget cuts on libraries in cities around the United States, despite rises in usage. The news is not good and doesn't show any signs of getting better.

Harvard Library update

2012-03-06T14:10:00.002-08:00

From the article:

The Harvard Union of Clerical and Technical Workers, which represents many of the workers in the Harvard Library system, released an open letter to the Harvard community Monday morning that raised concerns of understaffing in the Library and the lack of transparency in the ongoing restructuring process.

HUCTW leaders wrote the letter in response to Harvard University Library Executive Director Helen Shenton’s Jan. 19 announcement that the Library would reduce its staff through a voluntary retirement process and possibly layoffs.

The letter, which features testimony from unnamed union and non-union workers, warned that the transition process may fail if it does not involve workers, adding that understaffing and outsourcing already threaten the Library system’s quality.

Gary Library update

2012-03-06T14:09:00.000-08:00

AFSCME and the Gary Library have come to an agreement that sees 14 library workers laid-off and about $500,000 cut from the library budget. AFSCME local official Ana Perez seemed pleased to get the scraps from management's table, saying of the meetings with the board committee: “That’s all we asked for was to let us participate.” So AFSCME got to participate and still suffered the lay-offs that the board called for and a budget cut. But that's ok, because AFSCME got a participation medal out of it.

Toronto Public Library workers set to strike

2012-03-06T14:04:00.000-08:00

Workers at the Toronto Public Library have announced that they could go on strike as of March 18 after the Ontario Minister of Labour filed a "no-board" report on their behalf. The strike would come as opposition to the neo-conservative policies of Toronto mayor Rob Ford, who came to office with threats to privatize and/or slash a wide berth of public services.

Grand Rapids (MI) Library lay-offs

2012-03-01T12:25:00.000-08:00

The proposed budget for the Grand Rapids (MI) Library will call for laying off 14 library workers (from a total of 165) to make up for falling property taxes. This comes after the union representing library workers, the Grand Rapids Employees Independent Union, already made concessions to the city in light of budget cuts. No word on what concessions management has made, likely because they have made absolutely none.

Harvard Library update

2012-03-01T12:20:00.000-08:00

Harvard Library management has announced that it will form three joint councils with the Harvard Union of Clerical and Technical Workers to better plan and implement the proposed re-organization of the library system. This move comes after protests by library workers, faculty, and students at Harvard University against management moves to unilaterally implement a "re-organization" that would leave many workers jobless. However, the Harvard-based Student Labor Action Movement is wary and will still oppose all management attempts to lay off workers.

Gary (IN) Public Library update

2012-02-29T12:13:00.000-08:00

Some good news out of Gary: after AFSCME accused the Gary Library Board of union-busting tactics, the board voted to delay the proposed re-organization that would result in lay-offs for several union members. However, the news is not all good: the plan will be reviewed by board members who are already in favor of the lay-offs, excluding more trepidatious board members.

Gary (IN) library workers face cuts

2012-02-28T13:48:00.000-08:00

Workers at Gary (IN) Public Library say that proposed cuts to their library system will put many of them out of work, impoverish those that remain, and amounts to an outright attack on their union (AFSCME Local 2760). The proposed lay-offs will target union activists, demoting some to part-time positions and thus ineligible to carry a union card with AFSCME.

While this attack on library workers in Gary should be opposed, I'd also like to point out that you don't need a membership card from a business union to act like a union member. In other words, solidarity amongst all workers (card-carrying union or not) is our best weapon in these situations and non-union workers should remember that attacks on unions bring standards down across the board.

Library workers' conference in Ontario

2012-02-28T13:41:00.000-08:00

The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) is hosting a library workers' conference March 27-28 in London, ON. If you're able to go this will likely be worth checking out, especially considering that Ontario has been at the epicentre of several recent attacks on information workers (e.g. Toronto Public Library, University of Western Ontario, and McMaster University).

If anyone is planning on attending, please get in touch as I would love to be able to post a conference report here.

Greenwich (UK) privatization temporarily halted

2012-02-27T13:49:00.000-08:00

Efforts by Greenwich Council to privatize the library system in that UK town have been temporarily halted after a conflict of interest was declared by Councillour John Fahy. Fahy runs Meridian Link with Mark Sesnan, managing director of Greenwich Leisure Limited (GLL), which is the group that will take control of the libraries. However, the transfer has not been stopped completely and may still go through.

Concord library union gets certified

2012-02-27T13:44:00.000-08:00

An update on the situation in Concord (MA): the State Department of Labor Relations has certified the library union. Workers there are now officially represented by American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees, Council 93. Congratulations to our colleagues in Concord!

Toronto Public Library negotiations at an impasse

2012-02-24T13:37:00.000-08:00

The Toronto Public Library Workers Union has called for a "no board," or a recognition by the Ontario Ministry of Labour that the negotiations have stalled. Such a move would put the union in a legal strike position 17 days after an official "no board" recognition.

Northern Ireland library workers may strike

2012-02-23T13:40:00.000-08:00

Library workers and several thousand other public employees represented by the Northern Ireland Public Service Alliance may strike after having their wages frozen for a third consecutive year. The pay freeze affects up to 15,000 workers.

Toronto Sun at it again

2012-02-23T13:37:00.000-08:00

Perhaps I shouldn't care, but that paragon of journalistic virtue the Toronto Sun is once again red-baiting the Toronto Public Library Workers Union in their campaign against neo-conservative Mayor Rob Ford. According to Sun columnist Sue-Ann Levy, any attempt by a union to protect its membership and a valuable public service is tantamount to sending Red Guards out to round up undesirables...

More library cuts in the UK

2012-02-21T11:26:00.000-08:00

The trade union Prospect has denounced plans by the Department of Education and Children to cut library funding on the Isle of Man. The union rightly points out that the cuts will greatly affect library workers and the under-served populations that use library services the most, such as the elderly, the unemployed, women, and children.

Greenwich (UK) library workers poised to strike

2012-02-15T14:11:00.000-08:00

Library workers organized with Unite are poised to strike in Greenwich (UK) in response to Greenwich Council's move to privatize library services in the borough.

Enumclaw (WA) to vote on library transfer

2012-02-14T12:17:00.000-08:00

The city of Enumclaw, Washington is getting ready to run a referendum on whether or not the city administration should transfer management of the library to the King County Library System. According to the plan as passed by referendum (but not yet ratified by the plebiscite), all current library staff would be retained by the county library system should the transfer occur. The library workers are currently members of AFSCME.

Protesters march against Harvard Library lay-offs

2012-02-10T14:16:00.000-08:00

In another update from Harvard University, students and workers have joined together to protest the university administration's moves to down-size its library staff. The march included members of Harvard Union of Clerical and Technical Workers, the Student Labor Action Movement, and faculty.

Good news from Simi Valley

2012-02-10T14:12:00.000-08:00

A judge has temporarily prevented Simi Valley from out-sourcing its library system after the city attempted to side-step California legislation that would prevent the unilateral privatization of libraries and subsequent lay-offs and gutting of services.

New Jersey Libraries Unite!

2012-02-07T14:09:00.000-08:00

I'm pleased to point out NJ Libraries Unite!, a blog devoted to organizing library workers in New Jersey and fighting any potential austerity measures aimed at gutting public libraries in that state. In their own words:

"During the economic crisis, public libraries have been essential for helping New Jersey get back to work. Library employees have stepped up to the task of first responders for the out-of-work, providing job-hunt training and resources, even while enduring their own sacrifices.

"In return for their service, public library have seen budgets slashed to historic lows. Community events have been cut; funds for new acquisitions are nonexistent; and after school programs have been reduce to the bare minimum. Staff members have been let go and those remaining have endured painful cuts and pay freezes.

"Rather than see libraries as essential to economic recovery, politicians have used our libraries as their piggy banks – cutting library funding to pay for more politically connected consultants.

"NJ Libraries Unite is fighting back by giving employees a powerful voice against library closures and cutbacks. Join us and help win the rights and benefits New Jersey’s library employees deserve!"

Please check out their blog, especially if you are in the New Jersey area, and I hope to be able to report on some big victories in the Garden State!

Toronto Public Library Workers Union faces tough negotiations

2012-02-07T14:01:00.000-08:00

Toronto Mayor Rob Ford has recently concluded negotiations with "outside workers" employed by the city and is likely to use the harsh measures imposed in these sessions on other unions coming up for negotiation, including the Toronto Public Library Workers Union. Union president Maureen O'Reilly, however, claims that she will not allow TPL to become "the Wal-Mart of public libraries" in reference to the low wages and non-existant benefits that that company is famous for.

Unison protest archives cuts

2012-02-07T13:57:00.000-08:00

In other news from England, Unison is also protesting cuts to the local archives in St. Helens, England, saying that the cuts will threaten the archival holdings currently housed in the public library. Town council denies these allegations, but Unison makes a very strong case for the importance of professional archivists.

Library union fights privatization in Greenwich

2012-02-07T13:53:00.000-08:00

A union representing library workers in Greenwich, England is calling for protests against the city council's plans to privatize the library system there. The union, Unison, claims that the city has been withholding information about the transfer and that city residents are opposed to the move.

Fresno County Library worker speaks out

2012-02-01T11:57:00.000-08:00

I still have not heard any word from SEIU or Fresno County Library workers about their scab-infested "strike," but here's what one library worker who actually went on strike has to say about what led her to walk the picket line.

Labor in libraries

2012-01-31T13:51:00.000-08:00

A couple of items relating to labor in libraries that might be of interest: first, the latest issue of Information, Society & Justice features an article on the notion of "digital labor" in libraries and how the topic is being addressed (or not addressed) in library schools.

Second, the London (Ontario) chapter of the PLG recently posted an interesting article on their blog that examined the failure by the Canadian Library Association (CLA) to support working librarians in recent labor struggles in Canada.

Happy reading!

Concord (MA) library workers organize

2012-01-30T08:04:00.000-08:00

Library workers in Concord, Massachusetts have notified the city that they have a strong majority of members who would like to organize with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, Council 93 (AFSCME). Not surprisingly, city management doesn't think the workers should organize. In a response full of tired, lazy, and stock anti-union claims, the city said that they don't want their treasured relationship with employees to be sullied by the intervention of a "third party" that will ruin their "collegial" atmosphere. Congratulations to the Concord library workers!

Library workers among the most organized

2012-01-30T07:57:00.000-08:00

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics is reporting that library workers (together with education workers) have one of the highest rates of unionization in the United States at 36.9%. Compared to other sectors, that's a very high percentage but there is obviously a long way to go!

Toronto Public Library Workers Union update

2012-01-30T07:54:00.000-08:00

Lots to report from Toronto: the Toronto Sun (a publication with an overtly right-wing agenda that has aligned itself with the neo-conservative Rob Ford, mayor of Toronto) is red-baiting Toronto Public Library Workers Union president Maureen O'Reilly for daring to oppose Ford's agenda, TPLWU has filed for conciliation in their negotiations with the city, and the TPLWU has been working with other Toronto public sector unions to present a united front against city administrations.

Harvard Library union membership mobilize

2012-01-30T07:48:00.000-08:00

Complaining that their union leadership is not doing enough to fight proposed library cuts, members of the Harvard Union of Clerical and Technical Workers have begun mobilizing without the assistance or support of the union leadership. These workers are a wonderful example of a union only being as strong as its membership, not its leadership. Solidarity with Harvard Union of Clerical and Technical Workers!

Somerville (Massachusetts) library spared

2012-01-25T14:43:00.000-08:00

The West Branch Library in Somerville, Massachusetts has been saved from closure. The closure was a possibility due to on-going negotiations with the city's firefighter's union that might have led to the city plundering other departments for funds. However, the city and the firefighters were able to come to an agreement that spared closures in other city departments.

This is a very good time to bring up the concept of industrial unionism, wherein workers in the same industry organize into the same union instead of craft-based unions. With this model (which is practiced by the Industrial Workers of the World, among other syndicalist organizations), workers are not set to compete against each other in divide-and-conquer strategies by management and are better prepared to support each other in times of struggle. For instance, every city employee in Somerville could be in the same union, would be much stronger as one organization, and would prevent conflict between firefighters, librarians, and other city employees. United we stand, divided we fall.

While this blog is devoted to union and labor issues amongst information workers, it is important to remember that we are workers first, librarians (or archivists or library technicians, etc.) second. There are no borders in the working class!

Harvard Library to downsize?

2012-01-25T14:34:00.000-08:00

Harvard University Library announced a decision to "involuntarily" downsize its staff, to the shock and concern of the Harvard Union of Clerical and Technical Workers (HUCTW). The union describes the announcement as "extraordinarily clumsy" and plans to meet with library officials to get more details. Some union members, however, are disappointed by the thus-far tepid response of the union and expect a more aggressive defense of their livelihoods. Sounds like a good time for shop-floor organizing!

Fresno County librarians scab their own strike

2012-01-24T12:15:00.000-08:00

The Fox affiliate in Fresno County is reporting that librarians in the Fresno County Library system are actually scabbing their own strike, with the help of volunteer scabs mentioned in the previous post. According to the report, "16 of the county's 34 libraries stayed open thanks to union workers who did report to work and volunteers."

So this is not just a management ploy; union library workers themselves are undermining their union and the labor movement as a whole by crossing the picket line to keep libraries open while SEIU brothers and sisters are out on strike. Perhaps this is a misguided attempt to keep everyone happy and is being done with good intentions, but we all know what the road to hell is paved with.

I sent emails to the Fresno County Library system yesterday and was referred to the County Chief Administrative Officer (I haven't heard back from that person, though). I also sent a message to the executive of SEIU Local 521 about this situation and have not heard from them at all. I encourage anyone reading this to ask SEIU Local 521 why their members are scabbing this strike and what role the union administration is playing in this undermining of the labor movement.

Fresno County Library actively recruiting scabs

2012-01-23T14:18:00.000-08:00

Fresno County (California) Library has apparently lost its collective mind and any semblance of solidarity by actively recruiting volunteer scabs to run the library in the event of an SEIU strike. The potential strike would not just be by library workers but by thousands of county workers. It is unclear if SEIU members are actively recruiting scabs or if it's solely management, though.

Furthermore, what kind of person would scab for free? A scab, as Jack London noted, is a "two-legged animal with a corkscrew soul, a water brain, a combination backbone of jelly and glue" but it's commonly known that their primary motivation is selfish profit. So what does that say about a person willing to scab for free?

I encourage anyone reading this to contact Fresno County Library employees Roberta Barton at 559-600-6274, roberta.barton@fresnolibrary.org or Susan Mann at 559- 600-6224, susan.mann@fresnolibrary.org to ask them why they are acting like scab-herders against their own library. You could also contact SEIU 521 to see if the rest of the union is aware of this plan.

Manchester (Connecticut) library workers ratify agreement

2012-01-23T14:08:00.000-08:00

Union workers at the Manchester (Connecticut) library system have ratified a new collective agreement with city administration. The workers are members of AFSCME Local 991.

Chicago librarians host "People's Library"

2012-01-23T14:03:00.000-08:00

AFSCME librarians will host "People's Libraries" at several locations in the Chicago public library system in protest over Mayor Rahm Emanuel's unilateral move to close locations on Mondays. Meanwhile, Emanuel appears to be backing down from his aggressive moves against the union by hiring back 65 laid-off library workers and stating that the library system will remain open six days a week. It remains to be seen what will happen to the 100+ workers who are still laid off.

Egyptian librarians organize

2012-01-20T12:09:00.000-08:00

After lots of bad news in recent posts, here's something much more uplifting: over 200,000 librarians, archivists, and information workers have unionized in Egypt. The development was a long time coming and was built on the efforts of information workers from all manner of libraries and archives as well as students in the field. Congratulations to our comrades in Egypt and solidarity in their struggle as workers!

Labour Party shuns library laborers

2012-01-20T12:04:00.000-08:00

The Liverpool city council, currently controlled by the UK's Labour Party, has decided to close a public library dating from the 19th century. The move is part of wider cuts to public services across Liverpool and the UK that have led the Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS), the civil service union, to declare that Labour will not win re-election in Liverpool.

Attleboro (Massachusetts) Library workers agree to contract

2012-01-18T12:09:00.000-08:00

Workers at the Attleboro (Massachusettes) Library have agreed to a contract with the city government. I can't find anymore details about the contract or which union represents the workers, though. If anyone has further information, please leave a post.

Simi Valley Library update

2012-01-18T12:00:00.000-08:00

There is a slight update in the Simi Valley Library situation that I posted about last week. I haven't come across an update about the lawsuite filed by SEIU against Simi Valley administration, but American Libraries is reporting that the lawsuit was specifically launched to prevent the city from issuing a request for proposals to outsource library services. I had speculated that that was likely the case and now it appears to be confirmed.

This lawsuit has the potential to greatly affect future attempts to privatize libraries in California and elsewhere. Stay tuned.

Strange development in Chicago

2012-01-17T12:17:00.000-08:00

In an odd twist in the Chicago Public Library situation, AFSCME Council 31 executive director Henry Bayer has suggested that Mayor Rahm Emanuel ask for corporate funding to keep library hours at their previous level. While Bayer also lambasted the city's suggestion that library workers forfeit a pay increase, his proposal to enlist corporate funding for public services would, if acted upon, only serve to endanger public workers and the services that they provide in the long run. In my opinion, this is a slippery slope to privatization, corporate under-cutting of public services, and the gradual increase of influence of public affairs by the private sector.

Toronto update

2012-01-17T12:12:00.000-08:00

The situation continues to develop in Toronto. According to a new poll commissioned by the Toronto Public Library Workers Union, Toronto residents would like to see surplus municipal funds used to save library hours. The union also continues to fight on the public relations front by enlisting the support of prominent authors to sway the opinions of city administration. More to come, no doubt.

SEIU Local 721 files lawsuit against Simi Valley

2012-01-13T12:52:00.000-08:00

Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 721, which represents library workers in the California city of Simi Valley, has filed a lawsuit against the city administration over the latter's plans to withdraw from the Ventura County library system. The lawsuit claims that this withdraw is a legislative act that cannot be made unilaterally. The city claims that they want to maintain local control over the library system in the face of Assembly Bill 438, which took effect on January 1 and requires cities to demonstrate savings before withdrawing from county library systems prior to contracting library services to for-profit companies.

This is speculation on my part, but it appears that Simi Valley is hoping to undermine California legislation and union representation by making a move toward eventual privatization.

Calling all library workers!

2012-01-12T14:04:00.000-08:00

I'd like to try a little something new on this blog and feature interviews with or profiles of library, archives, or information workers. If you're reading this and would like to participate, please leave a comment. I would be interested in doing a straight-up interview about your work experiences as related to the labor movement, enlisting your participation in writing a piece about what it means to be an information worker, or something else that you might have in mind. Let me know in the comment section.

Budget battle in Toronto

2012-01-11T12:11:00.000-08:00

The Toronto Public Library Workers Union (TPLWU) is preparing for a fight over proposed funding cuts being touted by Mayor Rob Ford. Maureen O’Reilly, president of TPLWU, is calling the proposed cuts "an insult to Torontonians."

Chicago: AFSCME hits back

2012-01-11T12:07:00.000-08:00

More from Chicago: AFSCME has filed a grievance against Mayor Rahm Emanuel's unilateral decision to close public library branches on Mondays. Even some city aldermen are criticizing the mayor's action. Meanwhile, 176 library workers are still laid-off.

Ken Haycock wants librarians to work on Christmas

2012-01-10T13:42:00.000-08:00

Library management consultant Ken Haycock wants you, library worker, to work on Christmas because that's what Starbucks, Safeway, and movie theatres do. I assume Mr. Haycock would be all-too-happy to work the circulation desk on all statutory holidays from now on. And don't even get me started on comparing the labor policies at Starbucks with a public service such as libraries.

Chicago Public Library update

2012-01-10T13:36:00.000-08:00

The situation in Chicago is heating up. Mayor Rahm Emanuel is accusing the union representing library workers, American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Council 31, of using libraries as a bargaining chip in negotiations with the city. Emanuel does not explain why he thinks librarians would want to harm the library system but he is apparently sure that that is the case. The union, on the other hand, is unhappy about Emanuel's manouevering and is concerned about 176 laid-off library workers and reduced hours.

Concord Free Public Library workers organize

2012-01-09T07:41:00.000-08:00

Librarians at Concord Free Public Library (Massachusetts) have organized with American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees, Council 93 (AFSCME). The workers cite a diminished role for staff, low morale, and a discouraging work environment as primary motivations behind their decision to unionize. Congratulations to the workers at Concord Free Public Library and solidarity in your struggle!

Chicago Public Library hours reduced

2012-01-06T11:48:00.000-08:00

Many library branches in Chicago will now be closed on Mondays, which is a victory for librarians organized with the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees. The city initially wanted the library system to reduce hours on most Monday and Friday mornings but the unionized librarians opposed that because it would have entailed working two half-days, thus requiring library staff to work an extra day to make up for lost wages. The affected branches will remain open on Mondays during school holidays.

UAW Research Library Closed

2012-01-05T11:15:00.000-08:00

In disheartening news, the United Auto Workers have shut down their own Research Library and its unionized staff (represented by OPEIU) have either been re-assigned or laid-off. This is a double blow to the profession as it represents the loss of an imporant research resource and it directly relates to the union movement in its subject and governance.

Troy (New York) Library Closure

2012-01-05T11:06:00.000-08:00

The Sycaway branch of the Troy Library has now been shut down but according to this article, there is a campaign to keep the branch open with limited hours and be operated by volunteers. While library closures should be fought by both library workers and the communities which they serve, the use of volunteers to run libraries also sets a disturbing precedent that allows municipal administrators to attack public services in the name of budget restraint while foisting the responsibility to operate services on the public. Not to mention the potential for using volunteers as a method to undermine unions and drain resources that should be given to professional staff. And of course, there is the issue that labour should be compensated and should not be expected to be given for free in order to operate a public service.

That's my take on it, anyway. Thoughts?

Toronto Public Library Workers Union update

2012-01-04T12:18:00.000-08:00

According to the president of the Toronto Public Library Workers Union (TPLWU), Maureen O'Reilly, the union is expecting a lock-out. Their contract expired at the end of 2011 and Toronto city administration, headed by Mayor Rob Ford, is expected to attack public services and workers in the new year.

Source

Toronto Public Library Workers Union

All of Us or None

2012-01-04T12:10:00.000-08:00

If you're in the Bay Area of California, be sure to check out this exhibit of special collections material at the Oakland Museum of California: All of Us or None: Social Justice Posters of the San Francisco Bay Area.

From the site:

"Celebrating the recent acquisition of the renowned All Of Us Or None (AOUON) poster collection, OMCA presents the first comprehensive exhibition exploring the poster renaissance that started in the mid-1960s as both a legitimate art form as well as a powerful tool for public debate on social justice issues. Presented as a companion exhibition to The 1968 Project, the exhibition features 50 original political posters framed and traditionally hung, in addition to over 200 posters digitally printed at size and wheat pasted to the gallery walls, a method similar to how they were originally displayed.

"This exhibition is guest curated by collection archivist and author Lincoln Cushing. Accompanying the exhibition is a catalog published by Heyday Press."

Lincoln Cushing, by the way, is an active member of the PLG. Congratulations, Lincoln!

Happy New Year!

2012-01-03T15:08:00.000-08:00

I am pleased to take over the management of this blog from Kathleen, who has kept this running for a long time and has done a wonderful job. I certainly have big shoes to fill and hope to start posting updates very soon. I also hope to make connections with like-minded bloggers, be they librarians or union activists from different sectors, in order to build a broader network of solidarity and support for workers' struggle.

For now, I will continue to post news as I find it or as it comes to me. Depending on how much of a time committment that ends up being, I will also explore the possibility of posting commentary on labour issues in the information sector. Any and all suggestions are most welcome; please check often and post your comments freely.

Solidarity from your new blog administrator,
Braden

Norma Rae (1979) Named to National Film Registry of the Library of Congress.

2011-12-31T06:11:00.000-08:00

Norma Rae named to National Film Registry of the Library of Congress.

Norma Rae (1979)
Highlighted by Sally Field’s Oscar-winning performance, "Norma Rae" is the tale of an unlikely activist. A poorly-educated single mother, Norma Rae Webster works at a Southern textile mill where her attempt to improve working conditions through unionization, though undermined by her factory bosses, ultimately succeeds after her courageous stand on the factory floor wins the support of her co-workers. The film is less a polemical pro-union statement than a treatise about maturation, personal willpower, fairness and the empowerment of women. Directed by Martin Ritt, "Norma Rae" was based on the real-life efforts of Crystal Lee Sutton to unionize the J. P. Stevens Mills in Roanoke Rapids, N.C., which finally agreed to allow union representation one year after the film’s release.

Union Library Workers blog project needs new bloggers.

2011-12-08T04:40:00.000-08:00

PLG's Union Library Workers blog project needs new bloggers.
I will be glad to work with anyone interested in learning the ropes.
Write me offline.

--Kathleen
klmccook at gmail.com

Rutherford Library Board Restructures (NJ)

2011-12-08T03:56:00.000-08:00

At a special meeting on Dec. 5, the Rutherford Library Board unanimously voted to implement a three-part restructuring plan for 2012 that would move the children's section upstairs to the main part of the library and eliminate three full-time employees. The plan would also place a freeze on hiring and promotion, allow a library intern position to expire at the end of 2011, reduce the hours for a clerk and increase the reference librarian's position from part-time to full-time. The board also moved to place a freeze on hiring and promotion and to invite the union to meet sometime in the next 20 days to discuss the plan.

Fresno County-9% Pay Cut

2011-12-08T03:52:00.000-08:00

Fresno County. The Board of Supervisors imposed a nine percent pay cut on more than four-thousand workers on 12/6/2011.
The county has imposed a nine percent pay cut on more than four thousand county workers in the Service Employees International Union (S.E.I.U.). The union represents most county non-management workers janitors , clerks, librarians social workers their pay ranges from $20,000 to $60,000 per year.

Hashtag for Union Librarians news

2011-11-27T08:36:00.000-08:00

Got news about unions and librarians>
For twitter use #unionlibrarians.

Detroit Public Library Commission voted on November 15 to close four branches

2011-11-26T14:26:00.000-08:00

Detroit Public Library will close four branches.

The Detroit Public Library Commission voted on November 15 to close four branches effective December 22. The decision will leave the city's library system with 20 locations.

"In closing libraries, it is always with despair," said Jo Anne Mondowney, the library's director. "In many areas, the library is an iconic place for the community, and we recognize that. So, to close any library is a painful thing," she said...

"I'm heartened to hear that our director states that there will be no more layoffs as a result of the commission's decision," said Laurie Townsend, who has worked at the library for 34 years and is president of UAW Local Union (LU) 2200, which represents 106 employees, including librarians. The library has five bargaining units represented by three unions (LU 2200, AFSCME 1259, and AFSCME 1231).

Toronto: Library closures planned, union warns

2011-11-26T08:05:00.000-08:00

Library closures planned, union warns.

Friday Nov. 25, 2011 2:11 PM ET
The Toronto library union says city hall is moving ahead with a series of library closures and service reductions despite a promise to maintain the status quo.

According to the Toronto Public Library Workers Union, City Manager Joe Pennachetti has endorsed a new consulting report calling for the closure of 15 library branches and massive cuts to service hours across the city.

The union says the move flies in the face of the "clear will of City Council and the Toronto Public Library Board," which have already rejected these options.

The recommendations stem from a report by consultants DPRA and LeisurePlan International Inc., which suggest shutting libraries for a combined 35,000 extra operational hours each year.

The report also recommends closing 15 branches, eliminating several educational programs and increasing late fees.

The Toronto Public Library Workers Union says it obtained a memo from Pennachetti urging the Chief Librarian to consider the proposal.

Changes in Unionization Rates in Rich Countries, 1960-2010

2011-11-21T03:57:00.000-08:00

Politics Matter
Changes in Unionization Rates in Rich Countries, 1960-2010
John Schmitt and Alexandra Mitukiewicz
Center for Economic and Policy Research
November 2011
http://www.cepr.net/documents/publications/unions-oecd-2011-11.pdf

Executive Summary

Researchers have offered several explanations for the decline in unionization. Many emphasize that "globalization" and the technological advances embodied in the "new economy"have made unions obsolete.

If the decline in unionization is the inevitable response to the twin forces of globalization and technology, then we would expect unionization rates to follow a similar path in countries subjected to roughly similar levels of globalization and technology.

Instead, for 21 rich economies, including the United States, what we see over the last five decades is a wide range of trends in union membership and collective bargaining. Union coverage (the share of workers whose
terms of employment were covered by a collective bargaining agreement) changed little and even rose slightly in a substantial number of countries, including the years since 1980.

Union membership (the share of workers who are members of a union) fell in most of the rich economies, but losses varied substantially from country to country. The United States experienced membership losses near the middle of the distribution, but started from a 1980 membership rate that was low by the standard of other rich countries.

These differences across countries exposed to broadly similar levels of globalization and technological change suggest that these factors do not mechanically determine national levels of unionization.

The broad national political environment, however, does appear to explain much of the observed variation in unionization trends.

Countries strongly identified during the postwar period with social democratic parties "Sweden, Denmark, Norway, and Finland " have generally seen small increases in union coverage and only small decreases in
union membership since 1980.

Over the same period, countries typically described as "liberal market economies" the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, Canada, and Japan " have generally seen sharp drops in union
coverage and membership.

Countries in the broad Christian democratic tradition, sometimes referred to as "coordinated market economies"or "continental market economies"
Germany, Austria, Italy, the Netherlands, Belgium, France, and Switzerland" typically have had outcomes somewhere in between the social democratic and liberal market economies, with small drops in union coverage and
moderate declines in union membership.

These patterns are consistent with the view that national politics are a more important determinant of recent trends in unionization than globalization or technological change.

CSU faculty strike over raises slows campuses

2011-11-19T11:20:00.000-08:00

11/18/ 2011.
HAYWARD — Hundreds of California State University faculty members staged a strike Thursday at two campuses over raises the professors said they are owed.
The California Faculty Association, which represents CSU professors, lecturers, coaches, counselors and librarians at the system's 23 campuses, organized the walkout at Cal State-East Bay in Hayward and Cal State-Dominguez Hills in Carson.

It was the first faculty strike since systemwide collective bargaining began in the 1980s.

Faculty members at each campus were joined by hundreds of their colleagues from other CSU schools.

Susan Green, president of the union's Chico State University chapter, said about 40 people took a chartered bus from Chico so they could participate in the strike.

In a phone interview Thursday afternoon, she said the strike closed the campus.

"We absolutely shut down the (Hayward) campus. It's a ghost town," she said late Thursday afternoon.

However, Erik Fallis, a spokesman for the CSU who was at the campus, said he saw students going about their business wherever he went on campus during the day.

At the East Bay campus, faculty members picketed at the school's two main entrances, slowing traffic into campus and urging motorists to support the strike. They blew whistles, beat drums and chanted, "Don't cross the line. Faculty members on strike."

Librarians of the World Unite?: Possibilities and realities from Florida, USA

2011-11-19T07:54:00.000-08:00

"Librarians of the World Unite?: Possibilities and realities from Florida, USA "

James F. Tracy1, Maris L. Hayashi2

Work Organisation, Labour and Globalisation. Volume 4, Number 2 / Autumn 2010
Abstract
This paper examines the perspectives of academic librarians in Florida's public universities concerning library work and advocacy for workplace rights by professional organisations and the statewide faculty union. An online survey was used to gather responses to closed and open-ended questions from 58 librarians. These data are presented alongside discussions addressing professionalism in library work, the history of US library professional organisations and workplace issues, and Florida's faculty union. The results suggest that, in terms of broader organisation around workplace issues, academic librarians in Florida are stuck between managerial expectations of professional practice and a faculty union slow to understand the significance of librarianship.

Publisher: Analytica Publications Ltd.
ISSN
1745-641X (Print)
1745-6428 (Online)

OWS for Unions: A much-needed Ideological Dope Slap

2011-11-16T04:54:00.000-08:00

Goodbye to the ‘Middle-Class’? A Lesson for Labor From Occupy Wall Street
BY STEVE EARLY. In These Times.

Occupy Wall Street (OWS) has given our timorous, unimaginative and politically ambivalent unions a much-needed ideological dope slap. Some might describe this, more diplomatically, as a second injection of “outside-the-box” thinking and new organizational blood.... Unfortunately, most other unions have long relied on high-priced Democratic Party consultants, their focus groups and opinion polling, to shape labor’s public “messaging” in much less effective fashion. The results of this collaboration have been unhelpful, to say the least. Organizations that are supposed to the voice of the working class majority have instead positioned themselves–narrowly and confusedly–as defenders of America’s “middle class,” an always fuzzy construct now being rendered even less meaningful by the recession-driven downward mobility of millions of people.

Chicago Mayor Emanuel Proposes Cuts in Library Staff

2011-11-11T05:39:00.000-08:00

Mayor Emanuel—recently proposed a budget that would cut a third of the full-time equivalent library staff to save about $8 million in a $6.3 billion budget (in an effort to fill a projected deficit of $636 million). Although former Mayor Richard M. Daley built 58 new libraries, two years ago he cut back staff and left hundreds of positions vacant. Emanuel proposes eliminating 268 currently vacant positions and laying off about 284 employees. Emanuel has alternatives for filling his budget deficits, such as diversion of surplus local property taxes accumulating in tax increment financing districts....Carl Sorrell, president of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) local union representing city librarians, argued that "without the Chicago Public Library, the city of Chicago won't be as great as it is." But he also contended that the city would lose economically, since library employees must live in the city, and the cuts would have ripple effects that depress local buying power.

Nov. 3, 2011. In These Times

Fired from the Library of Congress

2011-11-11T05:11:00.000-08:00

Nov. 10. 2011

Appeals court hears case of ex-Gitmo prosecutor fired from Library of Congress over writings.

The former chief military prosecutor at Guantanamo Bay is suing the Library of Congress for firing him after he wrote opinion columns in two leading newspapers criticizing the Obama administration’s decision to try some suspected terrorists before military tribunals.

Attorneys from the American Civil Liberties Union argued Thursday in federal appeals court in Washington that retired Air Force Col. Morris Davis should be allowed to continue the lawsuit against the ex-supervisor who fired him.

What Work Is, and Isn’t: Poet Laureate Philip Levine

2011-11-07T04:57:00.000-08:00

Asking “what work is,” even in a time of mass unemployment, can lead to asking about how work is allocated, organized, and controlled.

Excellent essay, "What Work Is, and Isn’t: Poet Laureate Philip Levine" by Nick Coles.

[Nick Coles teaches working-class literature at the University of Pittsburgh. He is the president of the Working-Class Studies Association.]

Higher Ed Unions Say Issue 2 Would Be a “Death Sentence” Says Steve Aby, Union Member. (Ohio)

2011-11-01T16:59:00.000-07:00

Traditionally, management sits on one side of the negotiating table, and faculty on the other. Senate Bill 5 would reclassify higher education faculty as “management,” preventing them from participating in collective bargaining.

Librarian, professor, and member of the Akron professors’ union, Steve Aby, says Issue 2 would be a “death sentence” for higher education unions.

“Once our contract runs out, at all of these unionized universities we will never again be able to collectively bargain,” Aby says.

Chicago Library Workers fight Rahm Emanuel Cuts

2011-10-31T13:56:00.000-07:00

Chicago librarians, clerks and pages on Monday filed petitions to Mayor Rahm Emanuel in opposition to cuts outlined in his proposed 2012 city budget.

Dubbed “Story Time at City Hall,” library employees read Halloween books to children outside the mayor's office in City Hall. They presented thousands of signatures against reducing library staff by more than 550 positions and against cutting hours that would close branches for two half-days per week.

“They are trying to cut $10 million from the libraries, but a prior appropriation already put $11 million in library building and renovations," said Anders Lindall, a representative of AFSCME. "They’re going to have nicer libraries with less services and less stuff.”

Source: http://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/Libraries-Stand-up-to-Rahm-Budget-132915468.html#ixzz1cOVyCJb1

University of New Hampshire Salary Impasse-Librarian, Deanna Woods, is President

2011-10-30T05:49:00.000-07:00

The University of New Hampshire and its faculty reached an impasse in salary negotiations on Thursday for the second time in a year, as the school struggles to cope with a steep cut in state funding.

The university and a union representing its 630 tenured and tenure-track professors will now go to mediation in an effort to agree on a new four-year contract, officials said.

Oct. 29, 2011

A previous one-year contract expired June 30, but faculty members have been working its terms during negotiations.

The school's administration has offered a 7.9 percent salary increase over four years and seeks higher faculty contributions to health insurance and retirement plans.

The union wants raises of 16 percent over four years. State law bars professors from striking.

Deanna Wood, a reference librarian and president of the faculty union, said many faculty members may opt not to accept the contract that has been offered.

Which Side Are You On?: The Story of a Song

2011-10-19T05:01:00.000-07:00

Which Side Are You On?: The Story of a Song
by George Ella Lyon, illus. by Christopher Cardinale (Cinco Puntos Press, $17.95 hardcover, 40p., ages 7-10, 9781933693965, November 1, 2011) .

University of California Librarians- It’s better than nothing

2011-10-13T14:51:00.000-07:00

The University of California announced Tuesday that it has reached two tentative agreements with the American Federation of Teachers union to provide various benefits and increases for the university’s more than 350 librarians and 3,000 lecturers.

The tentative agreement for librarians, which includes being able to participate in the annual academic merit program for 2011-12 with increases effective July 1 and in a one-time merit-based salary increase program for 2011-12 effective Oct. 1, is currently being voted on by union members.
Librarians are resigned to the tentative agreement, said Shayee Khanaka, librarian for the linguistics and Middle East collections at UC Berkeley and a union member.
“It’s better than nothing, but there’s obviously a lot of room for improvement,” Khanaka said. “At this point, it’s hard to further negotiate — we’re fighting to just keep what we already have.”

Ben Johnson, Elected President of Vermont State College Faculty Federation

2011-10-01T14:53:00.000-07:00

BARRE -- A librarian at Vermont Technical College has been elected to a top state labor leadership post.

Ben Johnson is a member of the Vermont State College Faculty Federation and head of United Professions AFT of Vermont.
The AFL-CIO says Johnson is now the labor umbrella group's youngest state president.

UWO Librarian Strike Ends As Both Sides Ratify New Agreement

2011-09-25T06:41:00.000-07:00

Despite the administration's current statement on the value of librarians, it has previously drawn fire for saying that "[a]ll services to students will carry on as usual" during the strike. In a September 15 post to the Canadian Library Association listserv, UWO library school professor Sam Trosow wrote, "[O]ne wonders...if all services can carry on as usual without the professional library staff, why do we need a professional library staff?...Libraries without librarians (and archives without archivists) is hardly business as usual."

The University of Western Ontario (UWO) Board of Governors and the UWO Faculty Association Librarians and Archivists (UWOFA-LA) bargaining unit announced today that they have ratified a new collective agreement, in which the 51 librarians and archivists represented by UWOFA-LA will receive a 1.5 percent base salary increase each year for four years. The agreement ends a strike by the librarians and archivists that began on September 8, the first day of classes at UWO, which is located in London, ON, Canada.

60 Workers at New York Public Library AFSCME DC 37 Awarded $200,000

2011-09-21T17:42:00.000-07:00

Sixty workers at the New York Public Library were awarded a total of $200,000 in retroactive Sunday overtime pay under a July arbitration ruling.

The arbitrator ordered the library to reinstate its longtime practice of premium pay for voluntary overtime work on Sundays and give the affected members back pay from Aug. 1, 2010, when the union filed the grievance, to July 19, the date of the decision.

The dispute erupted in the summer of 2010 when the library reneged on its commitment to resume paying workers overtime on Sundays, even if they did not work 40 hours during the week. Local 1930 had agreed to a temporary deferral of the practice earlier that year as the library claimed to face a cash shortage as well as deep budget cuts in the coming fiscal year.

After the library refused to reinstate the practice, the union filed a group grievance.

Local 1930 President Valentin Colon, retired member Irene Pietraszeski and Library Technical Aide 2 Lillian Cohen, the LTA rep on the local's executive board, testified at the arbitration hearing. Cohen explained that she relied on the extra pay to cover the educational expenses of her son, Cedric Bolden, who is studying business administration at Bronx Community College. Former Council Rep Lisa Riccio gathered information for the grievance.

DC 37 Sr. Assistant General Counsel Steven Sykes argued the union's case that the Sunday premium pay was an established past practice that the library was obligated to continue. The Sunday premium pay is not guaranteed under the local's contract with the library, but, Sykes explained, once an employer follows such a policy for a long time, it becomes a binding "past practice"-just as binding as contractual benefits.

"For the members it was a slap in the face that management decided to deny the overtime pay after they sacrificed to help out the library in a budget crisis," Riccio said.

Colon praised the members' patience as the dispute dragged on, noting that they had continued to work Sundays without the overtime pay because of their commitment to their jobs and confidence that they would eventually be properly compensated.

"It's great," Cohen said of the arbitration ruling. "Times are bad. So people really felt the loss of the extra pay."

Librarians and archivists at the University of Western Ontario are on strike

2011-09-09T04:43:00.000-07:00

Librarians and archivists at the University of Western Ontario are on strike Thursday morning [September 8, 2011).
Talks between the workers, represented by the University of Western Ontario Faculty Association, and the university broke down Wednesday.
"The two sides remain divided, primarily over monetary issues, although the university has offered to establish a pay equity process," UWO said in a release Wednesday.

New York City Labor History Map

2011-09-05T05:55:00.000-07:00

Happy Labor Day. Librarians everywhere are union members and protectors of labor history.

=========
New York City Labor History Map
Welcome to the New York City Labor History Map, a joint project between the New York Labor History Association and the Tamiment Library and Robert F. Wagner Labor Archives. This web-based map builds on previous research published by the New York Labor History Association and enables users to explore, by location or date, key events in the city's labor history. It documents the history of working men and women in New York City and their struggle to gain concessions such as the eight-hour work day, better pay, improved working conditions, decent and affordable housing, collective bargaining rights, healthcare and pension plans. It also documents important aspects of the city's political and social history, its major protagonists and their contributions to the lives of ordinary people. The site features images and audio to enliven this facet of New York City history. Unless otherwise noted the photographs, papers and oral histories hightlighted here originate from the collections of the Tamiment Library and Robert F. Wagner Archives.

Buffalo & Erie County Public Library Cuts Diminish Service

2011-09-04T07:19:00.000-07:00

"What concerns us is what is lost along the way," said Tim Galvin, president of the librarians union. "The quality of service we provide has been diminished, including the level of human interaction people are used to."

Libraries locally and across the country are facing enormous challenges from the rapid advance of technology, changing community needs and increased use.
Yet, while they're being asked to do more during these economically hard times, their budgets and staffing have been slashed.
That's the case with the 37-branch Buffalo & Erie County Public Library system, which is struggling to serve its patrons and keep abreast of technological changes while coping with austerity measures.

[thanks LP]

Mentoring Toolkit from Union Plus

2011-09-01T11:17:00.000-07:00

The AFL-CIO created Union Privilege in 1986 to provide union members and their families with valuable consumer benefits. With Union Plus benefits, your union membership "pays" at work and at home.
By using the collective buying power of unions, we are able to offer valuable, discounted products and services exclusively to working families.

The Mentoring Toolkit is designed to assist union organizations in creating their own mentoring program.
This toolkit is organized as follows:

Administration - An overview of a mentoring program
Best Practices - Mentoring forms and tips
Leadership Training - Labor Schools and Programs
Networking - ListServs and AFL-CIO constituency groups
Recommended Reading - Books about mentoring and recommended reading

====
[thanks, SM].

Joe Hill: Examining a Labor Hero’s Death (new book)

2011-08-27T05:19:00.000-07:00

The Man Who Never Died: The Life, Times, and Legacy of Joe Hill, American Labor Icon. By William M. Adler

(Bloomsbury USA, Hardcover, 9781596916968, 448pp.)

Publication Date: August 30, 2011

The book’s author, William M. Adler, argues that Hill was a victim of authorities and a jury eager to deal a blow to his radical labor union, as well as his own desire to protect the identity of his sweetheart.

Unionized librarians and archivists at the University of Western Ontario (UWO), London, ON, Canada, have set a strike deadline for September 8

2011-08-26T04:36:00.000-07:00

David Rapp at Library Journal reports:

Unionized librarians and archivists at the University of Western Ontario (UWO), London, ON, Canada, have set a strike deadline for September 8—the first day of classes at UWO—as bargaining continues with university administration over staffing and compensation.
UWO librarians and archivists, represented by the UWOFA (University of Western Ontario Faculty Association) bargaining unit, have been without a contract since June 30, and have been in ongoing negotiations with UWO administration since April. The last time the two sides sat down was August 18, and further negotiations are scheduled for September 6 and 7.

Verizon: Outrageous

2011-08-15T18:12:00.000-07:00

It’s outrageous. Even as Verizon continues to rake in record profits, it’s trying to outsource more jobs, demand workers pay more for benefits and undermine workers’ retirement security…Verizon is trying to strip away 50 years of collective bargaining gains for middle-class workers and our families. But the company won’t succeed. Workers won’t let Verizon destroy the middle-class jobs and benefits generations of Verizon workers gained through collective bargaining.

Philip Levine, a former Detroit autoworker and product of Detroit Public Schools, has been named the U.S. Poet Laureate for 2011-12.

2011-08-12T05:09:00.000-07:00

Philip Levine, a former Detroit autoworker and product of Detroit Public Schools, has been named the U.S. Poet Laureate for 2011-12.

Last fall Levine's poems "Of Love and Other Disasters," "Arrival and Departure," "The Death of Mayakovsky" and "Library Days" appeared in Detroit poet (and Wayne State professor) M.L. Liebler's anthology, Working Words: Punching the Clock and Kicking out the Jams (Coffee House Press).

"He is America's most-acclaimed working-class poet," Liebler said. "He will bring poetry to the people through his accessible and dimensional poems about the working class, Detroit and post-industrial America. As poet laureate, Phil will make a difference in how Americans see and understand poetry. I welcome this announcement with excitement and enthusiasm for my good friend."

AFSCME Union Members marched outside District 205 headquarters chanting to keep libraries open and bring back paraprofessionals.

2011-08-11T19:00:00.000-07:00

Rockford Public School District 205 students will have access to libraries five days a week thanks to a vote at tonight's board of education meeting. The decision also puts some dismissed workers back on the job.
Under the previous plan, some schools only had access to a library one day a week. The new staffing plan keeps all libraries open, every school day. It's a small victory for paraprofessionals who came out to picket before the meeting.
AFSCME Union Members marched outside District 205 headquarters chanting to keep libraries open and bring back paraprofessionals. The approved library plan puts 5 librarians and 9.5 paraprofessionals back to work.

Position Statement on the Threat of Branch Closures and/or Privatization to Toronto Public Library

2011-08-10T18:26:00.000-07:00

Position Statement on the Threat of Branch Closures and/or Privatization to Toronto Public Library

The Edmonton Chapter of the Progressive Librarians Guild strongly condemns the plans of Toronto City Council to potentially reduce the services of Toronto Public Library by either closing branches and/or privatizing any part of this fundamental public institution.
--read more at Edmonton Chapter of the Progressive Librarians Guild website.

Indiana University Lays Off 10 Library Workers. CWA President Smedley Stands Up for Them.

2011-08-05T07:01:00.000-07:00

Ten employees at IU libraries are being laid off this week — the latest budgetary issue in a summer of pay raises, tuition increases and financial cutbacks. [President Michael McRobbie received a 12 percent pay raise, increasing his annual salary to $533,120.]

Seven support staff and three professional staff were told Tuesday and Wednesday their positions are being eliminated....
The timing was met with condemnation from the local chapter of Communication Workers of America, a union that represents 1,700 IU support staff.

“In a time of financial cuts, difficult decisions have to be made,” Chapter President Bryce Smedley said. “There’s no question about that. But on one hand, we’re seeing these huge raises, and on the other hand, we’re seeing 10 people getting laid off.”

If McRobbie had forgone the larger raise and accepted the same 1.5 pay increase as many IU employees are, the IU president could have then saved some of those jobs, --Smedley said in a prepared statement.

Prosser School District (WA) to Cut Librarians- Convert to Teachers

2011-08-05T05:31:00.000-07:00

The Prosser School Board on Tuesday narrowly approved the district's annual budget for the coming school year.
The board voted 3-2 to adopt the nearly $28.4 million general budget....
The district faced a $1.3 million shortfall in that budget, due mostly to state budget cuts made this summer and last winter.It met that shortfall by dipping into its reserves, not replacing retiring staff and -- most controversially -- converting librarians to classroom teachers.

But no cut drew more opposition than the plan to reduce the five designated librarians in the district to one. Nearly one-third of the shortfall -- $410,000 -- will be countered by not filling the position of the departing librarian at Keene-Riverview Elementary, reassigning the librarians from Whitstran Elementary, Prosser Heights Elementary and Prosser High to classroom teaching positions, and turning the Housel Middle School librarian into a district librarian, who will rotate through all schools.
A public hearing Tuesday drew a crowd of about 30 teachers, parents and librarians.All who commented were opposed to the district's plan, or at least urged the board to consider how important librarians are to improving kids' reading skills.

Maureen O'Reilly's deputation to the Toronto City Executive Committee

2011-08-02T10:31:00.000-07:00

Toronto Public Library Workers Union Local 4948.

Representing 1.25 million library users and 2,400 library workers.

See YouTube presentation by President Maureen O' Reilly.

"Reform" in Utah Pits Privatization against Unions

2011-07-30T06:34:00.000-07:00

In Utah, the Save Our Schools March and National Call to Action events focused on all that — but also actions by lawmakers and school board members that have grabbed headlines in recent weeks.

A crowd of about 50 people gathered at the Salt Lake City Main Library Friday to rally around elected leaders and activists who talked about taking back schools from politicians and corporate interests. The group then marched to the nearby State Office of Education.

They also used the event to rail against the Ogden School Board’s decision to ask teachers to sign a take-it-or-leave it contract. And several condemned state lawmakers’ decision to study whether to eliminate collective bargaining for certain public employees and whether to implement tuition tax credits.

At a teach-in earlier on Friday, Rep. Carol Spackman Moss urged teachers and parents to take a more active role in improving education and fighting harmful reform.

Collision Course: Ronald Reagan, the Air Traffic Controllers, and the Strike that Changed America__ by Joseph A. McCartin

2011-07-26T16:26:00.000-07:00

Collision Course: Ronald Reagan, the Air Traffic Controllers, and the Strike that Changed America

In August 1981, the Professional Air Traffic Controllers Organization (PATCO) called an illegal strike. The new president, Ronald Reagan, fired the strikers, establishing a reputation for both decisiveness and hostility to organized labor. As Joseph A. McCartin writes, the strike was the culmination of two decades of escalating conflict between controllers and the government that stemmed from the high-pressure nature of the job and the controllers' inability to negotiate with their employer over vital issues. PATCO's fall not only ushered in a long period of labor decline; it also served as a harbinger of the campaign against public sector unions that now roils American politics.

See also the blog: Collision Course.

Union Launches Project Rescue for Toronto Public Library

2011-07-22T12:04:00.000-07:00

The union launched a campaign called Project Rescue July 13 to fight the threat of outsourcing library services as the city waited for Thursday’s KPMG report on cutting costs. The report recommended Toronto, “rationalize the footprint of libraries to reduce service levels, closing some branches” in order to save $13.3-million. The consultants also suggested trimming library outreach and programming.
“The cuts would be devastating to the library system,” says union president Maureen O’Reilly, who’s running Project Rescue. She says the library’s budget has already been cut 10 per cent since amalgamation.

Ohio Will Force a Referendum on SB5.

2011-06-29T17:32:00.000-07:00

From The Nation.
Opponents of Ohio Governor John Kasich’s push to strip public employees of collective bargaining rights—as part of a national push by newly-elected Republican governors to silence opposition to their cuts in funding for public education and services — needed to collect 231,000 valid signatures to force a referendum that would override anti-labor legislation enacted by Kasich and his allies.
That was a tall order. But the labor and community groups that have come together to defend public employees, teachers, schools and services have exceeded it —by more than one million signatures.

“American Dream Movement.”-AFL-CIO Support.

2011-06-27T05:39:00.000-07:00

American Dream Movement.

Florida Education Association Sues State

2011-06-20T10:07:00.000-07:00

FEA suing state over pay cuts to teachers, other state workers for pension “contribution.”

TALLAHASSEE – The Florida Education Association has filed a lawsuit today in Circuit Court in Tallahassee seeking to stop the 3 percent pay cut on teachers, school employees and other workers imposed by the Florida Legislature and signed by Gov. Rick Scott.

The lawsuit asserts that the Legislature enacted legislation that was unconstitutional when that body required that 3 percent of the salaries of active members of the Florida Retirement System (FRS) be taken from such employees to serve as “contributions” toward their retirement benefits. The lawsuit further contends that the actions by the Legislature to reduce the cost-of-living benefits of those employees were also unconstitutional.
“This pay cut was used by legislative leadership to make up a budget shortfall on the backs of teachers, law-enforcement officers, firefighters and other state workers,” said FEA President Andy Ford. “It is essentially an income tax levied only on workers belonging to the Florida Retirement System. It’s unfair – and it breaks promises made to these employees when they chose to work to improve our state.

“While the state of Florida may make the policy decision to ask future employees to contribute to their retirement, it may not unilaterally change the covenant it made with current employees,” Ford said.

The lawsuit alleges that Florida law expressly provides that the Florida Retirement System is one in which employees do not have to contribute part of their salaries and describes that as a contractual obligation of the State. The suit claims that the Legislature’s action unconstitutionally impairs those contractual rights.

The FRS collects retirement money for more that 900 state and local government employers in the state, covering 655,000 active employee members and providing benefits to 219,000 retired members. It has been a non-contributory plan since 1974.

The lawsuit names Gov. Rick Scott, Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater, Attorney General Pam Bondi and John Miles, secretary of the Department of Management Services, as defendants in the lawsuit. Scott, Atwater and Bondi are the members of the State Board of Administration that is responsible for overseeing the Florida Retirement System Trust Fund and Miles runs the agency that oversees the fund.

Attorney Ron Meyer will be requesting the court to segregate the money it collects from the 3 percent pay cuts and place it in an interest bearing account until the lawsuit is fully settled. If the court agrees with the claims, teachers, school employees and other public workers would receive their money back with interest.

Ford said he was fully aware that FEA risked incurring the wrath of Senate President Mike Haridopolos, House Speaker Dean Cannon and other top legislative leaders and that retribution toward the union and its members could be in the offing.

“This past legislative session, FEA was fully in the crosshairs of legislative leaders with SB 736, which will upend the teaching profession, massive budget cuts to public education and a spate of bills designed to put our union, and other public-sector unions, out of business,” Ford said. “But the importance of doing the right thing and protecting the constitutional rights of our members trumps the fears of legislative payback.”

All materials filed this morning are available (or will be soon) at http://www.meyerbrookslaw.com/Litigation.htm.

Q & A

This type of lawsuit can take years -- What happens to the money in the mean time?
We have asked the court to segregate the money it collects from the 3 percent pay cuts and place it in an interest bearing account until the lawsuit is fully settled. If the court agrees with the claims, teachers, school employees and other public workers would receive their pay back with interest.

Are you afraid of political retribution from legislators? Do you think they will pass SB 830 if there is a special session?
We took that into consideration, but we have to do what is right for the public employees and taxpayers of this state. The importance of doing the right thing and protecting the constitutional rights of our members trumps the fears of legislative payback.

If the Legislature comes back for a budget special session – could we see more layoffs in education? More cuts?
Our children deserve better than that. More cuts to the education budget will mean more layoffs and fewer programs – that is a choice the Legislature would make… but they don’t have to. If they can find funds to fund corporate tax breaks, they should be able to find money for something as important as our children’s education. They should be investing in our children, not in tax-break schemes that haven’t worked in the past.
What is your ultimate goal here?
Our goal is what we fight for everyday: to protect our members rights. However, this goes even further. Florida’s political leaders cannot be allowed to continue to disrespect the middle class – and those that teach our children, keep our streets safe and risk their lives for us everyday.
What are your other legal challenges? What’s next?FEA continues to review legislation that has an impact on public education. We have concerns about several different measures passed by the Legislature but have made no definitive decisions about our next steps. We plan on continuing our review and we will announce our decisions as they are finalized.
How do you explain to the rest of the state who are not public employees and are making retirement contributions? Isn’t it only fair that public employees make contributions to their OWN retirement?
It is important to remember the 3 percent contribution is not an optional contribution. It is a mandatory contribution – forced upon public employees by the Legislature. Private sector employees have a choice as to whether they contribute or not contribute to a retirement fund -- and they get to choose how much they can afford to contribute.
Besides, when current employees were hired, the law stated that the Florida Retirement System is a fund that would not require employee contributions. That’s part of the promise the state makes to employees when they participate in the system.Additionally, if the state, as a matter of policy, wishes to have employees contribute to their pensions, they may do that for new employees. The point in this lawsuit is that the state cannot break the covenants it has made to its present workforce.
Just because CEOs of big corporations have broken promises to their employees – and enriched themselves beyond imagination in the process – does not mean that ourstate government should do the same. We believe that a promise is a promise and the state of Florida should abide by the promises it makes.
If they do not require pension contributions, where should the state go to get the dollars to balance the budget?
They have plenty of choices. Senate President Mike Haridopolos and House Speaker Dean Cannon allowed this irresponsible, reckless and unconstitutional way ofbalancing the budget instead of properly addressing the shortfall. Over the past decade, the Legislature has chosen to provide tax breaks to investors and corporations that have accumulated many billions of dollars. If those tax breaks had not been enacted, there would have been no shortfall this year.
Legislative leaders have a number of avenues that they can use to address any budgetshortfall – such as closing sales-tax loopholes, aggressively collecting sales tax on Internet sales, or repealing the tax breaks for investors and corporations.
The Legislature proposed contributions as high as 8 percent and the governor even wanted 5 percent -- aren’t you guys being greedy?If you want to talk about greed, go talk to the Florida Chamber and AIF. They seem to think Florida’s education funding is their personal reserve for tax breaks for their wealthiest members. Over the past 12 years, those tax breaks were widely touted as ways to create jobs and grow the state’s economy. But after handing out billions and billions of dollars worth of tax breaks to corporations and the well-heeled, Florida has one of the highest unemployment rates and its economy is one of the weakest in the nation.

Where are the other unions on this? AFL-CIO? How about police and firefighters?The Florida Police Benevolent Association has indicated that it will be intervening in this suit in support of the issues that we raise. The Fraternal Order of Police is represented in the suit through three uniformed officers who are plaintiffs. The SEIU has also joined the action through four of its members who participate in the FRS. We anticipate that other organizations will join in this fight on behalf of their members.
Did you talk to legislative leadership?
Any other legislators? What was their reaction?
We talked to some – but this was an organizational decision. We are going into this fully understanding that legislative political retaliation is possible. Since we are dealing with people’s livelihoods, it is our hope that the Florida Legislature finds real solutions to our state’s budget needs.
Will they have to come back into a special session?
We do not believe that a special session is necessary. We are simply asking the court at this time to segregate the money that will be deducted from salaries starting July 1 to preserve it for when the case is finally decided. If the court upholds our claims and returns the money to employees throughout the state, the Legislature may have to make budget adjustments. However, we believe that can be accomplished during the regular session. The FRS has the ability to continue its effective operations while this lawsuit works its way through the courts.
Some lawmakers have said that this is about the taxpayer and all of Florida and FEA is only thinking about themselves.This was a very difficult decision; however it is the right decision. Public employees are now being forced to pay into their retirement – whether they can afford it or not. That choice was taken away from them by the legislature. Yes, saving for retirement does make sense, yet many folks these days have to choose between putting food on the table for their family and contributing to their retirement. The Legislature has made that decision for public employees.

This income tax on our teachers, law-enforcement officers, firefighters and others who provide vital public services that help everyone in the state, comes after years with little or no raises. They are faithfully performing their duties and helping all Floridians despite the fact that they are struggling to make ends meet. Like far too many of us, they feel the American dream slipping away. It’s sad that our elected officials who areworking against us, not helping the people of our state hang on to the American dream.

What is this lawsuit about?
When the Legislature mandated that active members of the Florida Retirement System must give up 3 percent of their salary as “contributions” to their retirement benefits, they impaired a contractual agreement with current employees in violation of the Florida Constitution. The Florida Retirement System is set up as a noncontributory plan and making unilateral plan changes violates the contract with employees.
FEA is also challenging the reduction in the cost-of-living adjustments for those retiring after July 1. Florida law requires a 3 percent cost-of-living increase during retirement regardless of years of service or dates of service. The changes made in Senate Bill 2100 violate this contract with current state employees in the Florida Retirement System and constitutes taking private property without full compensation.
Why is FEA filing this lawsuit?
These salary cuts – essentially an income tax levied only on workers belonging to the Florida Retirement System – compound the losses experienced by teachers and other public school employees. Over the past four years, they have seen no raises or minuscule raises, increased health insurance costs and layoffs. The stark budget cuts pushed by Gov. Rick Scott and the Legislature will only deepen those losses. The loss of 3 percent of their salary is pouring salt into their wounds.
Teachers and other school employees entered into public service with few promises, but one was the security of their retirement. The action by the leadership of the Legislature and Gov. Rick Scott rips apart and dashes that promise. They chose this irresponsible, reckless and unconstitutional way of balancing the budget instead of properly addressing the shortfall.
What will happen to my 3% contribution?
That will be decided by the court, but FEA is asking that all salary money collected from employees while this case is being heard be placed in an escrow account. If it goes into the Florida Retirement System, it may not be recoverable. By putting it into a segregated account, salary money can be returned to employees if our side prevails.
What are the potential consequences of the lawsuit?
We have undertaken this effort fully realizing that legislative leaders may try to exact retribution. After all, this past session FEA was fully in their crosshairs with the profession-destroying SB 736, massive budget cuts to public education and a spate of bills designed to put our union, and other public-sector unions, out of business. Nevertheless, the importance of protecting the constitutional rights of our members trumps the fears of legislative payback.
What will happen to the 2011-2012 state budget?
Legislative leaders have a number of avenues that they can use to address any budget shortfall – such as closing sales-tax loopholes, aggressively collecting sales tax on Internet sales, or repealing the tax breaks for investors and corporations. Those tax breaks were widely touted as ways to create jobs and grow the state’s economy, but after billions and billions of dollars worth of tax breaks over the past 12 years under Republican leadership, Florida has one of the highest unemployment rates and its economy is one of the weakest in the nation.

"Collective Collections: Libraries and Labor.”-J. Latham at ALA LHRT in New Orleans. June 2011.

2011-06-19T06:21:00.000-07:00

Library History RoundTable ((LHRT) Research Forum 4:00-5:30 p.m. – Doubletree- Rosedown A

Ellen Pozzi, Rutgers University, "The History of the Business Branch of
the Newark Free Public Library."

Joyce M. Latham, University of Wisconsin-Madison, "Collective
Collections: Libraries and Labor.”

Sterling Joseph Coleman, Jr., Central State University, "English Public
Libraries, Parliament and the Working Class: A Not-So Subtle Censorship
Debate Within the British Parliamentary Debates of 1834 and 1850."

David M. Hovde and John W. Fitch, "Reading for Those Who ‘Labor with
Their Hands and Earn Their Living by the Sweat of Their Brows."

Wisconsin Protests in Wikipedia

2011-06-18T05:43:00.000-07:00

The protests began on February 14 in opposition to the Wisconsin Budget Repair Bill proposed by Republican Governor Scott Walker^[14] to address a projected $3.6 billion budget deficit.^[15] The legislation would require state employees to contribute 5.8% of their salaries to cover pension costs, contribute 12.6% towards their health care premiums and would weaken and possibly abolish collective bargaining rights for most public employee union members.
Highpoints and timeline: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_Wisconsin_protests