Maryland Public Library Employees Fight For Choice For A Voice

(Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO)

Library workers from across Maryland went to Annapolis Tuesday, March 9 to protest the hiring of "union avoidance" and lobby firm of Alexander & Cleaver by several Maryland counties to oppose legislation granting collective bargaining rights to county library systems. The librarians, represented by UFCW Local 1994, testified in Annapolis on Tuesday in support of the bill. The Maryland Association of Public Library Administrators (MAPLA) is using tax dollars to try to kill legislation that would guarantee collective bargaining rights for library workers. Bill co-sponsor Delegate Tom Hucker (D, Dist. 20), called it "ironic" that "at a time of tremendous pressure on county budgets and serious budget cuts, MAPLA has found enough discretionary revenue to hire one of the most expensive firms in Annapolis to deny librarians the basic right to association and free speech. Their money might be better spent reviewing executive salaries and duplication in administrative positions." Meanwhile, five library systems - including those in Montgomery and Prince Georges counties -- chose not to pour taxpayer funds into defeating the bill. "The right to organize is a fundamental bedrock of democracy," said UFCW Local 1994 MCGEO Organizing Coordinator Amy Millar. "Public sector employees across the state have benefited from collective bargaining and library workers should have that same opportunity." "Libraries are cutting hours, closing branches and eliminating staff to address the deficits they face. They are ignoring the advice of the American Library Association, which encourages libraries 'to enter the arena of politics and compete for scarce public funding to meet today's financial challenges.' The decision to divert precious funds to oppose this legislation is downright irresponsible," said Deborah Erwin, a library employee and a Charles County resident. "They should be using their funds to protect quality library services." - Chris Garlock with reporting by Paddy Lehane; photo by Greg Kenefick