They didn’t strike, they picketed: Local librarians find a new way to educate the public. – Motif

They didn’t strike, they picketed: Local librarians find a new way to educate the public. – Motif

Photo by Steve Ahlquist. The unionized workers of the Community Libraries of Providence have been without a contract for two years now. Their patience, which had been wearing thin, was stretched to the breaking point by a recent move on the part of management that, by union rules, crossed a line. On August 4 & 5 they went into action.  The outcome is a lesson in the power of communication.  According to Amy Cardone, business agent for the USAW-RI (the union covering library workers), their bargaining committee was close to a tentative agreement and ready to present their proposal. A week later it was suddenly announced to the staff that plans were finalized: The branch hours were changing on September 8. The abrupt decision was as welcome as a bucket of cold water in the face; it also violated union protocol. But these were librarians, communicators by nature. Rather than go on strike, local workers responded by holding informational picket lines at three of their hardest hit branches; and their message was heard.  Cardone filled me in on the issues that pushed staff to the point of protest. “There were crucial factors that weren’t considered. For one, there’s already a staffing shortage, and the people who are covering the jobs are already spread too thin. Not only would extending the hours as suggested interfere further with their own schedules, but some of them would have to completely rearrange aspects of their life, such as childcare, parental caregiving, and even second jobs because a number of these people can’t make enough money working full-time for the library to support their families. They have second jobs that they need to get to.” To be fair, budget cuts have forced many businesses today to make drastic changes. But according to Cardone, the problem was not merely one of cash flow. “I felt the administration did not properly plan for the use of the funds and what would happen when the pandemic stimulus cash ran out.” When the coffers were drained, and changes were made, union members were not consulted when branch hours plans were finalized. It was this error of omission that sparked the recent conflict. Post protest, union members are more optimistic. “We feel that the informational pickets did bring a result – management is listening to us now. They weren’t listening to us before…that’s a step forward. We were also able to make the city council members that we spoke with aware that the biggest issue is funding.” I reached out to Cheryl Space, CLPVD library director, who confirmed that new talks were on the way: “We know that change is difficult. But the reality is this – the funding allocated to the libraries during the COVID-era, which allowed us to expand library hours, has now expired. We must make some reductions, keeping the needs of both the staff and our library users in mind. The decision to adjust hours was based on current library usage and required staffing. “Thanks to an extra $80,000, allocated by the City of Providence, we will continue to open three nights a week at two of our largest libraries, and by extending library hours to 6:00pm rather than 5:30pm, more library users will be able to access services after school and work. We continue to meet with the Union and talk to our staff about their individual needs, and have already succeeded in finding solutions in many cases.“  The feeling among union members is that many problems could have been avoided if these conversations should have taken place before scheduling changes were finalized. “The way in which the administration planned to extend the hours did not really make any sense. They want to open the branches as soon as the staff comes in, without allowing them time to turn the computers on, get the equipment powered up and the system going. Some of the branches have people lined up and waiting at the door. Once they are in, there’s no time to do any cataloging or put books back up on the shelf.” Another problem with the proposed changes is that of the 9 branches, only Rochambeau, Mt. Pleasant, and Knight Memorial would have extended hours to 8pm on specified days. The smaller branches will have extended evening hours cancelled altogether. That additional half hour they would remain open was not enough for meaningful programs, but just enough to wreak havoc with staff members’ personal and family needs. They would like closing hours to remain as they are. Now that the lines of communication are open a solution may soon be in sight. Cardone has some closing thoughts: “I think it’s important that the community and the city to really understand what the library means to its patrons and how important the library employees are. They love their jobs and they love the community. They have a bond. They just want the administration to understand that they are people too, not just another number. They are as important as the budget considerations and they should be listened to because they are the ones directly engaging with the community.” In terms of enriching our communities, there is no greater value than that of the public libraries. CLPVD depends in large part on city funding to stay open. Let your representative know how important they are! Your support can make a difference. See picket details here. https://steveahlquist.substack.com/p/unionized-workers-at-the-community