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| Winter
2003 issue: Table of Contents |
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"Old" Contract 1% Increase
At long last, all unit bargaining for the 1% increase has been completed.
This was a very complicated part of the previous contract where a pool
of money for each specific occupational series was distributed in a way
chosen by that specific group. Each group's representatives did its own
bargaining and made its own decision as to how the money would be allocated.
Some units decided on a lump sum payment, some did across-the-board payments,
others did a step plan within their occupational title. Some non-library
titles voted for annuities, which the library was not eligible for. Some
of our Library units finished bargaining long before others. The Librarians,
who were the last to settle, finally came to agreement with the city at
the end of October.
Municipal Labor Council economic contract update
Our economic contract is negotiated with all the other city labor unions.
Part of that is our benefits package, including PICA - that part of the
benefits covering psychotropic drugs, injectible drugs, chemotherapy and
asthma. Unfortunately, the cost of this program quickly outran the amount
allocated for it at the time of the last contract. This benefit covered
what D.C.37's drug plan had previously covered and if no longer funded
by the PICA program will have to be funded by DC 37 again. Benefits are
considered as part of any raise we negotiate, and all benefit funds have
become a major stumbling block in coming to terms on a new contract.
General Membership Meeting location
No replies were received to our request in the last Local Line when we
asked members to suggest an alternate location for our general membership
meetings. However, at the All Staff Day, with the help of some of the
membership, we polled as many staff as we could. The most popular site
besides Brooklyn Heights was the Central Library. So we will try to arrange
to move two of the meetings to the Central Library this year. Keep an
eye on your meeting announcements for the location of each meeting!
Why you didn't get a postcard announcing the October
meeting
Well, it wasn't your Local's fault, folks. After extensive investigation,
we learned that the print shop at D.C. 37 sent your invitation to another
local. The print shop was quite embarrassed at this error and they have
instituted procedures to ensure that it will never happen again. They
are reimbursing all costs associated with the misdirected meeting announcement.
Additional membership meetings for specific titles
Because members in some job titles have difficulty getting to regular
meetings, Eileen Muller, Audrey McConney and volunteer secretary retiree
Elizabeth White met on Friday, October 10 with two different groups. Most
of the members of the custodial and special officer staff missed their
very important meetings, even though we tried to alert them when we found
that the postcards for the general meeting (with the message about the
special meetings) did not get sent out (see above). Those who did come
expressed their concerns and we are attempting to work on the problems
they brought to us. Our newly covered members on the Literacy staff met
with Eileen Muller and Audrey McConney on Halloween with their specific
needs. They were given copies of the contract and their questions were
answered.
DC 37 Rally
 On
October 29, the Brooklyn Library Guild participated in D.C.37's rally
for a fair contract. Even with the change in the weather and the drizzle,
spirits were high and our union members were enthusiastic in their support
of our goals. Attendees from outside D.C. 37 included members of the International's
Executive Board and numerous state and city politicians. We were glad
to see more BPLers than at previous rallies, and hope this trend continues
at future rallies. Numbers count!
Women's Conference in Boston on November 21-23
Every two years, AFSCME has a conference on women's issues for the eastern
region (the western region also has one). This year Rose Marie Gammon
and Benita McCray will attend for our local. In the past, we have sent
more members to the conference, which has been a valuable training experience
in seeing how other locals handle problems, some unique to them, but most
common to all public employees. We hope to send more in the future.
All Staff Day
At the Library's All Staff Day, the union had representatives present
to answer questions about some of our benefits like MELS and pension information.
A popular activity was bone density testing - more than 100 people took
advantage of the procedure. We hope that the All Staff Day becomes an
annual event, and that next year we will be able to offer even more programs.
This is a great way for our staff to get together and exchange information
in a less formal atmosphere.
At the All Staff Day, we handed out surveys for staff to tell us what
training they need and want. We will pass on the results of your survey
in a Labor-Management meeting.
Grievance Update
Since last December we have filed a number of out-of-title grievances
with the Library, which is more than Management has faced in many years.
Two of these grievances have already resulted in monetary settlements,
which left the grievants and the Executive Board very satisfied. Though
not all grievances are settled with money, it is always nice to see extra
green at the end of the long process.
The other grievances are still outstanding and at varying steps in the
long process. We are also defending some members facing disciplinary action
from the Library. Some cases have been settled. Two cases have been presented
to hearing officers within the library. In addition, there are a number
of complaints of unfair treatment, which are being investigated and may
result in grievances being filed.
Although these actions do require time and effort from the Local president,
they are also time-consuming to the Library and give them a strong incentive
to work with us to prevent misunderstandings before they lead to abuse
of the staff. We are committed to following through on every documented
complaint. We hope these positive outcomes and work in progress encourage
more staff to share their concerns and help us police the contract.
Some staff fear retaliation or desire to avoid personal confrontation,
etc. Those who fear retribution should be aware of our protection under
Federal law (Whistleblower Act), and that D.C. 37 will work with us to
defend us against illegal retaliation. We need to weigh the potential
inconvenience of confrontation against ongoing injustices and the cumulative
deterioration of our rights. If we all stand together, we can protect
each other.
Other successes
Some of you may recall that when the Library originally issued the 2003-2004
holiday schedule, it indicated that the Library would open on the Saturday
before Labor Day. The Executive Board reminded the Library that we traditionally
have been closed on Saturday and Sunday of that weekend, giving staff
a rare three-day weekend, and we also pointed that New York Public Library
and Queens Borough Public Library had announced they would be closed that
weekend. Whatever the Library has publicly stated, it is only after union
intervention that the Library reversed its position and granted BPL staff
a three-day weekend as well.
Similarly, when the Library proposed that branch staff front hundreds
of dollars in expenses for summer reading parties, the Executive Board
argued that expecting staff to front such large expenses was unprofessional,
unfair, and beyond our job description. In light of our ridiculously low
salaries, such an expectation also adds insult to injury. As a result
of our intervention, the Library developed a new procedure to expedite
necessary funds to branches before expenses are incurred. Building on
these successes, we are now discussing with the Library its expectation
that branches which are hosting system-wide meetings plan for and provide
refreshments.
In light of serious health and environmental problems at several recently
renovated branches, we have insisted on sending our own inspector from
DC37 to investigate all renovated buildings before they are reopened to
staff and public.
Crackdown on Undocumented Sick Leave (Part II)
As a result of HR's recent crackdown on undocumented sick leave, a number
of staff members are now officially in sick-leave violation. HR is now
claiming that these are not eligible to apply for promotions and newly
created positions such as the Technical Resource Specialist. In fact,
some have even been told that they may not apply for up to 2 years after
being in sick-leave violation. Such action goes far beyond our written
agreements with the Library and is excessive and unnecessarily punitive.
Eileen Muller is consulting with DC37's Legal Department how to respond
to such infringement.
Paychecks and Signing Sheets for paychecks
The Executive Board was just as surprised as everyone else to see Finance's
new policy on returning to Finance paychecks which have not been signed
for by the Monday morning after payday. Of course, the proposed policy
is highly inefficient and we are opposed to any delay in members' ability
to receive and cash their paychecks. We have already raised these arguments
at a Labor-Management meeting and expect immediate action from the Library.
Clusters
There have been many rumors about how the new cluster plan expansion is
to take effect. At this time, we are conferring with management about
how the plan will be implemented. We are not yet at the point of negotiating,
because Management has not solidified their proposal. We would urge you
to share your concerns by contacting us at <e.muller> on the library
email. We know there are some disturbing rumors out there but this is
not a time to panic: we will be guided by the best interests of our members,
and will make sure that the Library follows our contract.
Impact of Collection Development changes
An Executive Board committee met with Barbara Genco on Nov. 3 to discuss
the impact of the latest proposed changes in book selection and processing.
Although the changes affect staff in many titles, we are particularly
concerned about the ongoing professional role of the librarian. It is
possible that many of the technological changes being proposed will ultimately
be very useful, but it is vital that everyone report to OMS or TPS every
glitch they encounter. If the Collection Development doesn't hear about
these glitches, then they may never be properly addressed and there is
even less chance that the new system will serve our needs. The Library
is paying for materials to be processed externally; if you continue to
receive materials unprocessed from B&T, then report it to OMS or TPS!
Local Line Newsletter
You may wonder who writes these words of wisdom you receive periodically.
A writing committee was formed several years ago to produce the Local
Line, memos to the members, and letters to the Library or Board of Trustees
or others as needed. Although others have contributed, the core group
on the committee has been the president of the Local (formerly Marlene
Rosenberg, and now Eileen Muller) and members of the Executive Board :
Elizabeth White (retired but still writing), Judy Susser, Paul Otto, and
Cecilia Repetti. Are you interested in joining the Local Line committee?
Contact e.muller@brooklynpubliclibrary.org
at the Library e-mail.
Our letterhead
Bill Creevy, the retired head of BPL's Art Production Department, kindly
gave us the drawing shown on our letterhead. We truly appreciate his interest
and contribution.
Website
Proposals have been solicited from 6 candidates for designing and maintaining
Local 1482's website. These proposals are being evaluated by the Web Committee
in hopes of getting a website up and running by January 1, 2004. The Web
Committee currently consists of Eileen Muller, Paul Otto (Chair) and Judy
Susser, with occasional assistance from other members.
Good and Welfare
This section is for sharing personal news among our fellow staff. We will
cover weddings, births, graduations, transfers and promotions, retirements,
or any other appropriate news you care to share. Since the demise of the
"scandal sheet"—the list of library transitions previously
issued by Human Resources—this information has been hard to get and
sorely missed. We hope you will help us by sending this information to
e.muller@brooklynpubliclibrary.org
at the library e-mail.
Peter Cabram (Windsor Terrace) announces the birth of his son Andrew
Michael on October 22, 2003. Proud grandmother Rita Cabram also works
for BPL at Services for the Aging.
Class of 2004-AFSCME Family Scholarship Program
Are you a parent or legal guardian of a high school senior graduating
in 2004, who is planning on attending a four year college? AFSCME will
be rewarding ten $2,000 scholarships, take advantage of this opportunity.
For more information, contact Eileen Muller at e.muller@brooklynpubliclibrary.org
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