Public Employee Press

The Pink Slip


Management at the Queens library system summoned 329 workers to the Human Resources Dept.

They weren't told the subject of their individual meetings. But everyone knew what was up.

They were going to get pink slips.

Facing $16.9 million in cuts under Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg's proposed budget on top of the $12.5 million in reductions in government assistance during the current fiscal year, the Queens Borough Public Library delivered the bad news to comply with a federal law that requires private-sector employers to give workers 90 days notice of anticipated mass layoffs.

"It was horrible," said Local 1321 President John Hyslop, describing how the library handled the layoff process that began in May.

"Our members were told to report to the Central Library and wait in a lobby in front of Human Resources. It was right out in the open, so people knew why you were there. It was embarrassing for everyone."

At an institution that has recently adopted a corporate ethos (visitors are now known as "customers" instead of "patrons"), members said they were stunned and hurt.

In the brief layoff sessions, the administrators weren't mean-spirited, but they lacked empathy. They asked individuals to sign a form, handed them an informational packet and were generally unprepared to answer questions.

Sr. Librarian Aliqae Geraci recalled her experience on May 12: "People were crying in front of everyone. It was very emotional. We were all supportive of each other."

"It was not humane at all," said Sr. Librarian Kendra Hoass, a six-year veteran at the Woodhaven branch. "Everyone was together, and there was an ominous feeling."

The packets included a cover letter, instructions on filing for unemployment benefits, "frequently asked questions" about the layoff process and four pages on the union contract, including layoff procedures and, strangely, the "no strike-no lockout" provision. (Is management afraid of something?)

The Library has not offered the job search assistance the workers could use if they are ultimately cast into the streets during the worst employment crisis since the Great Depression. The union locals in the city's three library systems are planning to provide this service for members.

"All of the Librarians here received notice," said Kacper Jareki, one of the four Librarians at Long Island City Community Library and a Local 1321 vice president.

"Once you got the call, you knew," he said. "It was very upsetting."

— Gregory N. Heires