Library Worklife

Volume 3, No. 6 • June 2006

HR Practice

Unions in Libraries

A Running List

By Kathleen de la Peña McCook

McCook hosts and posts the Union Librarian Blog, and she has a vast network that keeps her up-to-date on union activities in libraries across the country. Her blog is more than three years old and is a resource for all-things union, including those not library-specific.

Public list: http://unionlibrarian.blogspot.com/2002/12/public-library-unions-running-list.html

Academic list: http://unionlibrarian.blogspot.com/2002/12/academic-library-unions-running-list.html

Note the three union-related ALA-APA Programs at the American Library Association Conference, Sunday, June 25, 2006:

7:30–8:30 a.m.—Networking Breakfast

The winner of the SirsiDynix-ALA-APA Award for Promoting Salaries will be honored at this breakfast. It is also an opportunity to network with colleagues who are interested in unions.

10:30–noon—Getting Even: How Library Staff Can Get Paid Fairly

Evelyn Murphy , author of Getting Even: Why Women Don't Get Paid Like Men and What To Do About It, will suggest how library employees can mobilize to get paid fairly.

1:30–3:30 p.m.—Ignored Too Long: The Benefits of Managing a Library with a Union

Panelists John Buschman, Steve LaBash, and Dorothy Warner will examine library management fundamentals that union environments encourage or require.

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