Public Employee Press

Rat bites library bosses

Local 1930 Executive Board members told management that donuts don’t pay the rent. At the 42nd Street central library on Jan. 6, they handed out leaflets demanding pay equity as a few officials and unionized staffers showed up for management’s “Ring in the New Year” breakfast. Labor’s beloved mascot — an inflatable rat with glaring red eyes — accompanied the unionists.

“We wanted to tell management to ‘ring in the year’ by addressing pay inequities,” Local President Lynn Taylor said. “We appreciated the breakfast, but we need a livable wage.”

On Feb. 3, union leaders will discuss pay issues with management. NYPL pays its clerical workers about $2,300 less than city clericals and pays clericals and Library Information Assistants less than the Brooklyn Public Library.