AFSCME-Library talks heading to mediation as N.O.W. backs union

 Peoria Public Library workers represented by the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) are in the fourth month without a contract after multiple negotiating sessions, and though a resolution doesn’t seem imminent at press time, increasing support from local groups and the pending presence of a third-party could break the bargaining logjam.

“We’re still pretty far apart,” commented Anthony Walraven, a member of the bargaining team recently elected president of AFSCME Local 3464.  “We’re going to be going to mediation, [but] I’m confident we can reach an agreement.”

No dates have been announced for meeting with a mediator,

Catching up on wages remains a focus, Walraven said, particularly after a union survey of its membership of about 60 workers showed that some 90% say they’re living “paycheck to paycheck,” and more than 44% feel insecure about their housing.

“We have a large number of our members that are making minimum wage or close to minimum wage – and a lot of them have post-secondary education,” Walraven added. “This is not teenagers working in the summers, or part-time. These are adults trying to raise families or support themselves.”

Meanwhile, informational picketing March 21 had more than 100 people marching outside the Main library downtown. Besides community allies and AFSCME members from different locals, current staffers were there, including relatively recent hires, such as Jacob Roberts, a children’s reference assistant, and Alexa Cary, “artist in residence.” Dozens of other library workers left PPL in the last few years.

Elsewhere, a prominent area activist group released an open letter supporting library workers.

“The Peoria Chapter of the National Organization for Women (NOW) joins the individuals and organizations supporting the Peoria Public Librarians in their contract negotiations,” wrote NOW co-Presidents Nancy Long and Martha Willi. “While Library employees are City of Peoria employees, they do not enjoy the same contract as other employees.

“These are just a few of the intolerable issues experienced by librarians,” they said, listing:

* Many employees are at or near minimum wage salaries, despite their education and experience.

* Other than mandatory minimum wage adjustments, increases have been virtually non-existent. Over the last 13 years, non-minimum wage increases have ranged between $0.52 to $1.89 per hour.

* Library employees’ health insurance premiums are higher than other City of Peoria employees.

* The work approved by the referendum in 2007 to renovate existing libraries and add a North Branch was completed in 2011. At that time there were 67 union employees; today the number of union employees is 55. Fewer people are doing more and different types of work without additional compensation.

 

Such wage scales have consequences to workers and he community, NOW said.

“One [employee] has to come to terms with the reality her teenage son working at a restaurant makes $3 an hour more than she does - and she has a Master’s degree. His skills learned on previous jobs are compensated; hers are not, NOW said. “To make groceries stretch as far as possible, another eats only one meal a day.

“Fifty-four librarians have left since 2018. How many of them sacrificed a job they loved in order to make enough to support their families?” the group continued.. “Their Social Security will be based on their lifetime income; thus, retirement for librarians will be considerably more difficult than that of other City of Peoria employees. “

NOW speculates that management isn’t aware of what’s at stake.

“Is it possible the ‘powers that be’ aren’t familiar with what librarians do?” they wrote. “Perhaps the new contract should include a mandate that Library Board and City Council members visit a different library each month to make themselves aware of the needs and demands of each location, including staffing and equipment issues.

“These 2022 figures represent some of what librarians do as they keep the doors open so we have access to a library every day of the week somewhere in Peoria,” NOW continued –

* 593,783 physical items were borrowed by patrons.

* 82,530 e-books were downloaded (after some received training from the librarians).

* 25,798 movies and different types of music were downloaded

 

“All are processed and cataloged by whom? Librarians! (not student pages),” NOW noted, adding, “216,420 people walked through library doors; 1,949 programs were offered to adults, teens and children, most in-person and/or hands-on – our Librarians go beyond crafts, story times and book clubs to murder mysteries for ages 18+, escape rooms, STEM activities, as well as what the outreach branches do to collaborate and bring the library to the community. There are more requests for these programs than there are staff to offer them.

“Additionally, librarians answer all sorts of questions. They can only respond to them because of the education, intelligence, skills and experience they bring to the job. And they do it all for less than any other City of Peoria employee.”

A settlement doesn’t seem beyond reason, they said.

“The solution is to show librarians the respect their profession and commitment deserve,” NOW wrote. “We value our librarians. If the Library Board and City Council value them, put that appreciation in their paychecks. We call on the City of Peoria to remedy this serious situation and truly become an equal opportunity employer.”

Library Executive Director Randall Yelverton said, “The library and AFSCME have enjoyed a long history of respectful and productive negotiations and will continue to do so as the parties bargain this contract. While the library cannot comment on the status of ongoing negotiations, it looks forward to reaching a mutually beneficial agreement that will allow the library to continue to offer all the same excellent services and programming that our community has come to expect and enjoy.”

Walraven commented, “The whole point of negotiations is to come up with a number that’s acceptable for both sides. That’s what we’re trying to do. The status quo is unacceptable.”