Public Employee Press

New York Public Library
Members get first shot at $6,000 upgrades

Recent negotiations established raises of about $6,000 for Supervising Librarians promoted to the new Site Manager title and guaranteed the Local 1930 members the first crack at the nearly 80 new positions.

“We fought hard to make sure that the promotions would lead to decent raises and to protect the workers’ due process rights and job security,” said Carol Thomas, president of New York Public Library Guild Local 1930.

In the talks with the library, DC 37 ensured that workers in the new title would be represented by the local. Supervising Librarians voted 45-10 in favor of the agreement.

Currently, Supervising Librarians with the in-house title Branch Librarian oversee NYPL branch libraries. DC 37 was able to negotiate the additional pay because the new title expands the administrative duties of the person in charge.

Under the agreement, the NYPL will give Branch Librarians the first crack at the site manager positions. Those accepted will receive a raise of between $5,000 and $5,500 (depending on experience) for the first 18 months and an additional $1,000 after six more months. During this probationary period, the librarians have the right to return to their former jobs.

“Job security is very important”
Some members have criticized the new title for permitting non-librarians to manage branches. They feel that will enable the Library to reduce the ranks of librarians and “de-professionalize” the job by piling on administrative duties that don’t require the knowledge they gained in graduate school.

“To me, what’s most important about the agreement is that the title will be in our bargaining unit,” said Helen Broady, Branch Librarian at the Morningside Heights Library. “Job security is very important in these times of economic uncertainty.”

Thomas worked on the agreement with a committee that included Deborah Allman, vice president for librarians; Peter Levine, Staten Island representative; Asa Rubenstein, research representative; Henry Samback, information assistant representative; and Louise Stamp, chief steward and clerical vice president. DC 37 Assistant General Counsel Steven Sykes, Assistant Director Nola Brooker and Rep Lisa Riccio of the Professional Division helped the local work out the agreement.