The library continues to drag its feet on bringing the payroll errors grievance- where 200 Local 1482 members have not been paid correctly for years- to a resolution.  The time for stalling and excuses ​has passed.

To show solidarity with affected members, and to demonstrate our power, we invite Local 1482 members to wear Pay Us What We Are Owed buttons.  Please contact President Olken or members of the Executive Board to have buttons sent to you to distribute at your work locations.  

We have prepared talking points that outline the pay errors grievance and why it matters. These will assist you in having informed conversations with your coworkers, answering patron questions, and more.  The talking points are listed below, but you can also find a printable PDF and an image file of the button on this page.

Why We’re Wearing “Pay Us What We’re Owed” Buttons 

What’s Happening 
● Brooklyn Public Library (BPL) pays nearly 200 clerical workers and custodians below contractual minimums.
● These union workers have faced years of payroll errors amounting to more than $250,000 in annual underpayment.
● Many workers are still receiving inaccurate paychecks every pay period—two years after filing our first grievance and despite repeated meetings with BPL administration. 
● This affects multiple job titles and has led to serious financial and emotional hardship for workers. 

Why WE Matter 
● BPL staff are essential community workers—helping Brooklynites access job resources, providing exceptional programming, helping patrons navigate our technology and digital resources—the list goes on. 
● Library staff continue to serve with dedication—despite being denied fair compensation. 
● These workers show up every day—but are not being paid correctly for their work. 
● When payroll issues go unresolved, the stability of library services—and our communities—is at risk! 

How You Can Help 
● Speak up: Let BPL administration and Elected Leaders know that the public cares—library workers deserve fair pay.
● Show support: A simple “I support you” goes a long way.

​Last month our delegates attended the AFSCME Convention in Los Angeles. We will have a full report at our Local General Membership Meeting on Monday October 7th at 7pm on Zoom (postcard in the mail). 

One function of the Convention is to vote on resolutions. These are policy and value statements created by members that will shape the International Union's priorities over the next two years. This year, many resolutions focused on the upcoming Presidential Election: Democratic VP Candidate Tim Walz spoke in-person at the Convention and Kamala Harris sent a video message. Here are a complete list of the resolutions that the delegate body voted to pass: 

AFSCME Convention Resolutions 2024

Two of the resolutions that did not pass addressed Israel-Palestine and Union Democracy, respectively. The first failed resolution called for the union to take a more forceful stand regarding Israel, including asking AFSCME to join other unions to pressure the Biden Administration to end U.S. Military Aid to Israel. The second failed resolution called for a one-member-one-vote system for choosing our top union leadership. Currently, delegates vote as representatives of the rank-and-file and they re-elected AFSCME President Lee Saunders and Secretary-Treasurer Elissa McBride, who both ran unopposed. You can read more about these efforts in The Chief:


AFSCME activists' reform push falls short

There is a General Membership Meeting for Local 1482 scheduled tonight, Monday, June 3rd at 7:00 pm.  It will be held virtually over Zoom.  The agenda and login information is found below.  Apologies if you are receiving this information on Tuesday morning via an email update.  We understand it is out-of-date, and we look forward to your being able to participate in future meetings and actions:

General Membership Meeting
Monday, June 3, 2024
7:00 pm
This meeting will be held virtually on Zoom.  The meeting agenda and login information is found below:

Local 1482 Brooklyn Library Guild
GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING

 AGENDA
1. Guest Presentations
 - Danny Tovar - DC 37 Housing Unit
 - Juan Fernandez - Local 154
2. Open Forum
3. Minutes
4. Treasurer’s Report
5. President’s Report
6. New Business
 
Join Zoom Meeting: bit.ly/Local1482June2024
 
Or dial in: 929-205-6099 (NY)
Meeting ID: 815 3526 4938
Passcode: 234251
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