Working people across the United States regularly step up to help out our friends, neighbors and communities during these trying times. In our Service & Solidarity Spotlight series, we’ll showcase one of these stories every day. Here’s today’s story.
Ohio’s State Employment Relations Board confirmed on Tuesday that staff members at the Columbus Metropolitan Library (CML) have successfully voted to form a union with the Ohio Federation of Teachers.
The bargaining unit covers roughly 600 librarians, customer services specialists, youth engagement specialists, materials services associates, drivers, sorters and other library workers. Under the name CML United, workers came together to address concerns around working conditions and the library’s reliance on poorly compensated part-time employees. Despite facing multiple delays and unfair labor practices by management, workers persevered and overwhelmingly won their election.
“We stood together, across different branches and different job titles, because we know that CML is a stronger library system for our communities when workers have a voice,” said Nancy Gillespie, an information services specialist at CML’s Whitehall Branch. “We not only know what changes are needed to improve conditions for CML workers, we also know what our patrons need and expect from their libraries because we’re the ones who have direct, daily communication with them.”