Professional librarians and support staff hoisted picket signs at 12:01 a.m. July 31 at the Stark County District Library in Canton, Ohio, after a meeting with a federal mediator failed to reach a settlement between the library board and Local 925 of the Service Employees International Union. About 110 of the library’s 200+ employees are on strike.
On the first day of the strike four branches were closed, but by August 3 only two branches remained shut, Assistant Director Marge Baker told American Libraries. Hours remain shortened at the other seven branches and main library, and bookmobile and homebound services are suspended. The strike has halted three library construction projects, including a $5-million renovation of the main library, as contractors refused to cross picket lines, according to the August 3 Canton Repository.
Wages are the main sticking point: The library board offered 4% increases annually for three years, but the union wants a 6% raise the first year and 5% the next two years. The union is also seeking a “fair share” assessment for nonunion workers.
The library has hired the security firm of Huffmaster Crisis Response to assure that “our patrons, employees, and the library will be safe,” Baker said.
Posted August 7, 2000.