Public Employee Press

Queens Library local settles working conditions contract

Local 1321 has updated its working conditions contract, which the union is providing to members and making available at worksites.

"This was a big housekeeping job," said Queens Library Guild Local 1321 President John Hyslop. "We cleaned up the contract language and incorporated agreements we made with the Queens Borough Public Library in recent years in the contract."

The revised 86-page pact includes agreements on:
• creating positions in the Adult Learn Program that better reflect staff education, skills and responsibilities
• implementing the 2 percent pay increase from 2004
• a non-discrimination clause
• annual leave policy, and
• training and a shift differential for Maintainers.

"This was a lot of hard work," said Lisa Riccio, an assistant director in the DC 37 Research and Negotiations Department, who assisted Hyslop.

"We tell members, this contract is your workplace bible. You don't have to read it, but keep it for reference when questions come up about your job conditions and workplace rights."

The new agreement runs from 1999 to 2014 and is available at the local's website, www.local1321.org. It has been made more user friendly, as it now includes titles for sections such as bonus days, holidays, overtime, compensatory time and Sunday service.

Help also came from Local 1321 Executive Vice President Margaret Gibson, Assistant Director Stephanie Miller of DC 37's Professional Division, and the DC 37 Research and Negotiations Department's Associate Director David Paskin and Information Specialist Angela Hazel, who created a new index.

As it worked with management on the contract revision, the union used the opportunity to clarify the policy on cashing out terminal leave and add new language reflecting federal, state and local anti-discrimination laws.