After contentious bargaining, Peoria library workers OK tentative settlement

 Peoria’s Local 3464 of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) on July 10 voted 41-6 to accept a Tentative Agreement with the Peoria Public Library.

If ratified by the Library’s Board of Trustees, the pact would be a two-year contract expiring Dec. 31, 2025. No other terms were disclosed as of press time.

The proposed settlement came June 29, but a membership vote was delayed due to scheduling difficulties around the July 4 holiday. Almost all eligible workers cast ballots.

AFSCME, which represents some 60 library workers, started bargaining Nov. 29 before the previous contract expired (Dec. 31, 2022). From the beginning of negotiations, the main issues have been increased workloads after staff reductions and pay.

Negotiators had pointed out that Peoria library workers aren’t paid wages comparable to librarians in other area towns, such as Bloomington and Champaign.

“Our staff cannot afford to eat more than one meal a day,” library worker Rose Farrell told the Peoria City Council last month after days of failed mediation. “Our staff are on government assistance. Our staff are housing insecure, and our staff cannot afford to work here.”

A survey of Peoria Library workers showed that more than 44% feel insecure about their housing and about 90% live “paycheck to paycheck.”

Local President Anthony Walraven commented, “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.”

Katy Bauml, Local 3464 Vice President and a member of its bargaining team, said the agreement is disappointing but a starting point for the future.

“It's not what we wanted and it's not what we think we deserve, but it's the first step to working toward where we need to be for our members,” she told the Labor Paper.

“Our work for a better and fair contract in 2026 begins today,” she added. “We are going to continue attending Board meetings and City Council meetings. We won't stop until the budget at the library is no longer flat, and our wages are a livable wage for all employees.”

Peoria City Manager Patrick Urich in March told WCBU public radio, “The labor dispute is something that's between the Library Board of Trustees and the AFSCME union,” adding that the library's annual budget, mostly funded from property taxes, is about $7 million, which includes paying for past system expansion and renovations.

In a prepared statement, Library Executive Director Randall Yelverton said, “The library and its employees, like many businesses, entities and individuals, have felt the strain of inflation and the rising cost of living.”

Bauml said funding and adequate pay remain an issue.

“Library administration and our Board of Trustees have two years to ask for more money and budget for our wages in the next contract,” said Bauml, who praised all of the public support the union received.

 “We want to thank all of you for your time, effort and support throughout all of this,” she said. “We would not be where we currently are without all of your efforts. It is truly appreciated, and we hope we can one day share with you how much it means to us.”