In response to what they call an oppressive work environment, 130 employees of the Orange County Library System in Orlando, Florida, have signed a petition to affiliate with a local union, the Orlando Sentinel reported November 12.
Thirty percent of the library's more than 250 nonmanagerial employees had to sign the petition before a staffwide vote could be taken on unionization; more than 50% signed. No date has been set for the vote.
The paper said that some staff claim workers who complain about their jobs are transferred to distant branches, some librarians' salaries have been capped indefinitely, and staff do not have a voice in the library's operations.
But Director Dorothy Field told the Sentinel that she has an open-door policy and that transfers are based on the system's needs. "The only thing a union will do is take their money and drive a wedge between staff," she said. "I think it's very unfortunate our library staff is placed in this position because of a few disgruntled employees."