Library discussion centers around salary, unionization

Amongst discussion of establishing minimum wage of $10 for staff members and declaring a formal budget for 2008, Monroe County Public Library Board of Directors also discussed the possibility of unionizing the public library at their September board meeting and work session \nthat followed Wednesday night.\n“This decision is so important,” said Randy G. Paul, a trustee on the board of directors and an outspoken advocate for a union.\nThe board and potential union members agreed that if a union was created, it would not permit strikes. Also, union members would have a seat at the bargaining table, but not at the table of the board of directors.\nPhil Eskew, of the Union Organizing Committee, spoke in favor of a union.\n“We want the board to know that (wanting a union) is from a desire to communicate with the board,” Eskew said. “We want this communication to be positive. We see unionization as a win-win situation.”\nThe board discussed whether or not to declare the library unionized by way of having union cards signed, or with an official ballot election. If the board chose the union cards option, it would poll library members to see who has signed a card stating intent to join the union. If a certain percentage had, the union would \nbe created. \nRandy Paul said a majority of library staff members have signed such cards. \nLinda Hunt, a member of the board, stated that she hopes to have a formal election before instating a union.\n“It’s the American way, isn’t it, to vote?” Hunt said.\nIn mid-April a petition compiled by library staff members proved the majority of staff members want a union. \n“It will be up to the people to decide they want to be recognized,” said Michelle Martin, of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal \nEmployees.\nThe board viewed the current draft of the union resolution and will meet for a second work session on the issue in October. Until further discussion of the issue, members of the board fear that unionization will result from peer pressure of staff members.\n“We are not that far,” Moberly said. “We just don’t know everything yet. We want to proceed in a logical way and make a counter offer (to the current draft).”