Akron–Summit County Public Library staff supporting an organization effort through the Service Employees International Union have withdrawn a grievance against Director Steven Hawk. In a letter from District 925 of the SEIU to the Ohio State Employment Board, the union said it did “not wish to pursue” the allegations, according to the June 29 Akron Beacon Journal. Hawk told the paper, “We were surprised, frankly. We have no idea what the motivation was.”
Library management had allegedly provided misleading information in an attempt to coerce and intimidate pro-union employees, among other tactics.
Maxine DurJava, a technical services assistant who had led the unionization push, said the complaint had been withdrawn “because the majority of the staff is so fearful and won’t do anything to change the situation.” The union had not received a commitment from the library staff to sign on after months of campaigning.
Some employees have complained about overaggressive tactics on both sides—union organizers and management alike. DurJava was unsure whether the efforts to unionize would continue, though she indicated the grievance could be filed again at some future date.
Posted July 2, 2001.