State Mediator Joins Stalled
Rutherford Contract Talks
A state-appointed mediator met with union representatives for employees of the Rutherford (N.J.) Free Public Library and the library board June 22 in hopes of reaching an agreement in the three-year contract dispute in which employees are seeking to be paid wages comparable to town workers.
A library board spokesman told the Bergen Record June 22 that the board has made an offer that would make library staff “the highest paid in their profession in Bergen County,” adding that the “salaries are comparable to borough employees.”
But union leaders have said the board has refused to discuss parity, and members unanimously rejected the board’s proposal that would have given a 30% raise to the lowest-paid employees.
Nearly 40 residents expressed their support of the library workers at a borough council meeting June 20. “The library is a precious resource to both the town and the surrounding area. This is putting a strain on it,” one resident told the council.
Posted June 26, 2000.
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