Providence PL Unionizes; Cincinnati and Hamilton PL Gearing Up

-- Library Journal, 09/21/2005

Providence Public Library, RI, workers—both librarians and support staff—voted 53–39 on September 8 to form a joint union. “For the first time, the employees of the library as a whole will have the opportunity to have some say over their future,” Karen McAninch, the union’s business agent, told the Providence Journal. Professional librarians and paraprofessionals had the option of forming individual unions, but opted to come together in a joint alliance. Members now must select an executive board and formulate the basis of their first contract. Last year, the library cut 21 staff positions—including seven librarians and 14 support personnel—of which 16 accepted a voluntary severance buyout and five were laid off.

The wheels of unionization also are churning for librarians at the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County. The Service Employees International Union, which already represents 13 Ohio libraries, filed a petition with the library to represent its staff. Library workers apparently approached the union after a reorganization earlier this year led to job cuts. Remaining workers hope that union representation will give them leverage in protecting their jobs from further budgetary woes. An election could be held within four months, according to the Enquirer.