Unfair Labor Charge Filed
against Akron Library
The union attempting to organize 400 employees at the Akron–Summit County (Ohio) Public Library has filed an unfair labor practice charge, accusing the library of unlawful actions. Anne Hill, head of District 925 of the Service Employees International Union, complained to the Ohio State Employment Relations Board March 29 that administrators were illegally spreading intimidating messages and allowing only anti-union forces to campaign during work, according to the March 30 Akron Beacon-Journal.
Library Director Steven Hawk, who criticized the union in library newsletters, told the newspaper he is neutral and the information he distributed was pro-library. On April 9 library trustees hired an Akron law firm, and Hawk later told American Libraries that legal counsel had advised him not to make any statements. Library spokesperson Carla Davis said Hawk had remained silent on the issue for months until employee complaints about union circulars mounted, spurring him to address claims he believed were misrepresentations. “The only reason those newsletters were published was as a response to staffers to do something; they were feeling powerless,” Davis said.
Librarian Marilyn Minney, who is among about 25 employees spearheading the union effort, told the library board that administrators should bow out, leaving the decision whether to organize to staff alone. Davis said it is unlikely that employees will take a vote anytime soon.
Posted April 16, 2001.
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