Small library for fasting graduate students at Yale

Graduate students at Yale University, members of Local 33 UNITE HERE, have gone on a fast in an effort to pressure Yale management to begin contract negotiations.  A small library has been set up in their encampment.

Watch their video "The Fast Against Slow" at Local 33 website: http://www.local33.org

New Haven Register report:  http://www.nhregister.com/general-news/20170427/yale-graduate-student-union-continues-hunger-strike-in-new-haven

Grievance Filed by Union in Morris, CT

A grievance has been filed by the union representing the employees of Morris, Connecticut after the Morris Public Library board of directors eliminated the position of library director. According to the union, the board of directors does not have the authority to eliminate a union position.

Unfortunately, this news article is behind a paywall. More information on the ongoing issues between the library director and the library board can be found on the Facebook page Concerned Citizens of Morris.

New Contract for Hamden, CT Library Workers

Library workers in Hamden, Connecticut have a new four-year agreement with the city that includes wage increases for each of the next four years and reduced sick days for new employees. New employees will also be placed in a 457 deferred contribution plan beginning in 2017, pending state approval.

New Contract for Cheshire Library Workers

More union news from Connecticut - a four-year contract has been approved for library workers in Cheshire. Library workers will receive 2.3% raises annually, but will now pay more for medical and pension funds.

Wethersfield (CT) Library workers get new contract

Library workers at the Wethersfield (Connecticut) Library have just had a new, three-year contract approved.  The contract removes the workers from the town's pension program and into a 401(k) substitute, which is a trend across the United States.

West Haven workers get first contract

Library workers represented by AFSCME in West Haven, CT have finalized their first contract with the West Haven Public Library.  By the sounds of it, it was a pretty smooth negotiation.  From the article:

“I think for our first contract, it went pretty well. We all got some things we wanted, and we all didn’t get some things we wanted, but that’s to be expected,” said union President Colleen Bailie, who heads technical services for the West Haven Public Library.

Manchester (Connecticut) library workers ratify agreement

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.