SISTERS AND BROTHERS,

              THE UNIONS POWER STARTS WITH ITS MEMBERS,THE MORE ORGANIZED OUR LOCAL IS AND MORE THAT WE STICK TOGETHER,THE MORE POWER THIS UNION WILL HAVE WHEN ITS TIME TO NEGOTIATE OUR CONTRACT WITH THE COMPANY.

              THE UNION IS TO HAVE A TRAINING PROGRAM AT THE HALL TO HELP BUILD MEMBERSHIP SUPPORT AROUND OUR BARGAINING ISSUES IN DECEMBER. THIS WILL BE A 2 DAY TRAINING CLASS CALLED "BUILDING POWER".

              IF ANYONE IS INTERESTED PLEASE CONTACT THE HALL TO SIGN UP

            REMEMBER IN SOLIDARITY THERE IS STRENGTH,BECOME INVOLVED IN YOUR UNION

Questions? Comments?

Please contact:
Kevin Seklecki
[email protected]

Your Bargaining Committee is in place and your Communications and Action Team (CAT) is taking shape: now we need to hear from you to make our first contract strong.

Bargaining Survey

Please take the time to fill out the contract bargaining survey. What do you want to maintain, and what do you think could be improved? Be as specific as you can: this information will give the Bargaining Committee a clear picture of staff needs.

It is important that every library worker has an opportunity to respond to this survey, whether they are a long term employee, or just started last week. If you or your coworkers prefer print surveys or you would like to review the survey before submitting your anonymous responses online, you can preview the questions in the attached PDF. Reply to this message to notify a CAT member to collect your print survey.

Please complete the survey by November 8 so the Bargaining Committee can begin its work on your behalf.

Click here to download a paper version of the survey.

Text Updates

There's a new way to stay in touch with the United Library Workers! Text ULW to 47486 and complete the prompts to opt into bargaining updates.

United Library Workers in Action

Our union is already working to give us a stronger voice on the job. In response to CLP – Downtown & Business staff being unilaterally assigned to new locations, our union made a demand to bargain. We are now in the process of negotiating a job bidding procedure so employees can have a say in where they get moved. Previously, staff had no options to adjust placements or modify schedules during location close downs.

We are also engaged in bargaining over discipline of bargaining-unit employees. Members can work with the union to negotiate unfair corrective actions, and other disciplinary actions by management. If your manager or supervisor wants to have a meeting with you that could lead to discipline, you are entitled to union representation upon request. If you are experiencing unfair treatment from your manager, or if you would like to receive training as a union steward to protect and support coworkers, reply to this message.

Upcoming Meetings...

The election results are in. Please give a warm welcome to your bargaining committee:

Library Support Center: Dan Van Triest - Librarian
Branch Library Assistants: Camden Yandel - Library Assistant - East Liberty
Branch Clerical Workers: Kira Yeversky - Clerk - Homewood
Main Librarians: David King - Librarian - Music, Film & Audio
Main Library Assistants & Clerical Workers: Andrew Muse - Senior Clerk
OPP & System Wide Flexible Team: Emily Miller - Librarian
Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped: Julia Mente - Readers' Advisor
Branch Librarians: Rachel Masilamani - Librarian - Downtown & Business
Main Support Departments: Jesse DiLaura - Development Associate

Seventy-one members turned out to vote in the categories with multiple candidates. Thank you to all who voted and ran. Stay tuned for upcoming opportunities to communicate your top priorities to the Bargaining Committee.

SAVE THE DATE

Looking to get more involved in your union? Here are some upcoming opportunities.

Halloween Hangout: Take a spooky social break with your union!

Saturday, October 26, 2019
326 South Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15221
6:30-10:30 p.m.

-- Costumes highly encouraged!
-- Friends and families welcome
-- Snacks and light entertainment provided
-- Alcoholic beverages = BYOB only
-- Allergy alert: multi-pet home

ULW Open Meeting

Monday, November 18, 2019
6-8 p.m.
USW Headquarters, Downtown, 60 Blvd of the Allies, Pittsburgh, PA 15222

Library Support Center: Dan Van Triest - Librarian
Branch Library Assistants: Camden Yandel - Library Assistant - East Liberty
Branch Clerical Workers: Kira Yeversky - Clerk - Homewood
Main Librarians: David King - Librarian - Music, Film & Audio
Main Library Assistants & Clerical Workers: Andrew Muse - Senior Clerk
OPP & System Wide Flexible Team: Emily Miller - Librarian
Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped: Julia Mente - Readers' Advisor
Branch Librarians: Rachel Masilamani - Librarian - Downtown & Business
Main Support Departments: Jesse DiLaura - Development Associate

Bargaining Survey

Please take the time to fill out the contract bargaining survey. What do you want to maintain, and what do you think could be improved? Be as specific as you can: this information will give the Bargaining Committee a clear picture of staff needs.

It is important that every library worker has an opportunity to respond to this survey, whether they are a long term employee, or just started last week. If you or your coworkers prefer print surveys or you would like to review the survey before submitting your anonymous responses online, you can preview the questions in the attached PDF. Reply to this message to notify a CAT member to collect your print survey.

Please complete the survey by November 8 so the Bargaining Committee can begin its work on your behalf.

Click here to download a paper version of the survey.

It's almost time to cast your vote and elect your representative to the ULW Bargaining Committee. Here are a few reminders leading up to the election.

Who Should Vote?

You may vote only for the representative for your section on the committee. If the candidate for your section is unopposed, they are deemed the winner and you do not need to vote. If your group has only one candidate running, you can still help out by spreading the word to coworkers in groups with multiple candidates running.

Who's On The Ballot?

Library Support Center
Rachel Kottler - Clerical Specialist
Dan Van Triest - Librarian

Branch Library Assistants
Eli Straussman - Library Assistant - Downtown & Business
Camden Yandel - Library Assistant - East Liberty

Branch Clerical Workers
Amy Dwyer - Clerical Specialist - Downtown & Business
Kira Yeversky - Clerk - Homewood

Main Librarians
David King - Librarian - Music, Film & Audio
Jessica (Smith) Bayless- Librarian -Teen

Main Library Assistants & Clerical Workers
Paula Kepich - Digitization Technician II
Andrew Muse - Senior Clerk

Running Unopposed:

Office of Programs and Partnerships & System Wide Flexible Team (formerly Substitute Pool)
Emily Miller - Librarian (unopposed)

Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped
Julia Mente - Readers' Advisor (unopposed)

Branch Librarians
Rachel Masilamani - Librarian - Downtown & Business (unopposed)

Main Support Departments (Communications & Creative Services, Digital Strategy, External & Government Relations, Facilities, Finance and Administration and Information Technology)
Jesse Dilaura - Development Associate (unopposed)

...

You may vote only for the representative for your section on the committee. If there is only one candidate for your section, they are deemed the winner and you do not need to vote.

Voting will be in-person only. If you need transportation to vote, or have any questions related to the election, please reply to this message and a United Library Workers member will be in touch soon!

You may vote for your bargaining committee representative at the following times at the USW Headquarters, Downtown (60 Blvd of the Allies, Pittsburgh, PA 15222):

October 17: 8-10 a.m.
October 17: 6-8 p.m.
October 18: 8-10 a.m.
October 18: 6-8 p.m.; simultaneous with a ULW meeting, to be followed by vote count and announcement of results

A huge thank you to our volunteer ULW Tellers, Chair and Recording Secretary for stepping up and ensuring that votes are counted accurately.

Meet the Bargaining Committee Nominees

Office of Programs and Partnerships & System Wide Flexible Team (formerly Substitute Pool)

Emily Miller - Librarian
I have worked at CLP for almost 9 years, starting in the substitute pool (now SWFT), then as a clerical specialist at a branch, then a library assistant at Main, and for the past 4 and a half years as an outreach librarian in the OPP. My varied experience has given me the perspectives and knowledge to represent all workers at CLP, and I am honored to have been nominated.

Library Support Center

Rachel Kottler - Clerical Specialist
I believe in the value of a united workforce and the importance of a safe, supportive work environment. I am committed to creating a strong union, listening to all voices at LSC, and negotiating a contract that will reflect our priorities.

Dan Van Triest - Librarian
I believe that people should vote for me because I am deeply dedicated to protecting my fellow bargaining unit members' interests in terms of compensation, terms of employment, and working conditions and to making sure the contract works for all parties.

Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped

Julia Mente - Readers' Advisor
I have been a passionate member of the Organizing Committee of the United Library Workers for a year—and I am confident that we can win a contract that benefits all library workers at the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh. I am committed to dedicating my time and energy to listening to workers about the issues that we face at LBPH as well as throughout the whole system in order to bargain for a contract that reflects our needs.

Branch Librarians

Rachel Masilamani - Librarian - Downtown & Business
Ten years of experience as both a...

This Friday, we will be holding nominations for our bargaining committee from 6-8 p.m., at the USW's Headquarters located at 60 Blvd of the Allies, Pittsburgh, PA 15222 ( there's free street parking after 6 p.m.).

Nominees need not be present to be nominated but people nominating do need to attend. One person can nominate multiple people.

In order to streamline the process of confirming nominees and drafting a ballot, please be prepared to provide the following information about each nominee: name, phone number, personal email (non-CLP), job position, and job location.

We will also be having a training about how to act as a union representative during disciplinary interviews and a basics on knowing your rights.

In communications with CLP, we anticipate bargaining to occur during work time, hopefully on a set day every week. For some employees, it may be possible to swap a shift so that no work time is missed. For others, such as jobs that are Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., swapping shifts will not be an option, but the Union will pay any lost wages. We will work with CLP once the bargaining committee is finalized to make the best arrangements possible.

In order to make meetings easier to attend and increase participation and engagement, please fill out this survey so that we can figure out the most convenient meeting time for the greatest amount of people, how many people would be interested in child care during meetings, and any other accommodations that may be necessary for people to attend: https://forms.gle/PhRH2fzbCzBnBmes8.

You may vote for your bargaining committee representative at the following times at the USW Headquarters:

October 17; 8-10 a.m.
October 17; 6-8 p.m.
October 18; 8-10 a.m.
October 18; 6-8 p.m.; to be followed by vote count and announcement of results

Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or concerns.

Nomination Meeting and Training on Weingarten Rights

October 4, 6-8 p.m.

Nominations will be accepted from 6-8 p.m. for Bargaining Committee representatives.

During that meeting, we will also hold a training session on our Weingarten rights. As unionized employees, we now have the legal right, even before we get our first contract, to request representation when we think there is a possibility that discipline or discharge may result from a meeting with our supervisor. This meeting will provide you the tools to make sure your rights are being protected.

Bargaining Committee Election Dates and Results

October 17; 8-10 a.m.
October 17; 6-8 p.m.
October 18; 8-10 a.m.
October 18; 6-8 p.m.; to be followed by vote count and announcement of results

(You must come in person to vote. There is no absentee voting.)

All events are held at:
United Steelworkers Headquarters
60 Boulevard of the Allies
Pittsburgh, PA 15222

After a thorough discussion, attendees at the United Library Workers September 20 meeting adjusted and approved our bargaining committee composition!

We agreed that the Bargaining Committee will consist of one member in each of the slots below. Employees in each group vote for their own representative: Branch librarians vote for a branch librarian representative, Library Support Center employees vote for a LSC representative, etc.

-- Office of Programs and Partnerships & System Wide Flexible Team (formerly Substitute Pool)
-- Library Support Center
-- Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped
-- Branch Librarians
-- Branch Library Assistants
-- Branch Clerical Workers
-- Main Librarians
-- Main Library Assistants & Clerical Workers
-- Main Support Departments (Communications & Creative Services, Digital Strategy, External & Government Relations, Facilities, Finance and Administration and Information Technology)

Bargaining Committee members are tasked with representing the collective needs and interests of all Carnegie Library staff. Bargaining priorities will be determined through surveys and meetings with library workers. Representatives must be committed to the democratic process, detail-oriented, flexible, and prepared to build consensus among staff. The time commitment is significant. You can nominate yourself, or anyone else in the bargaining unit for whichever position they are eligible for. If you have questions about running for the bargaining committee, reply to this e-mail.

The Nominations Meeting will be held on October 4, from 6 p.m.-8 p.m. at the United Steelworkers Headquarters at 60 Boulevard of the Allies.

All nominations must be made in person. Individuals may nominate multiple people. The person nominated need not be physically present at...