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.
Anne Arundel County Public Library (AACPL) system workers unanimously ratified their first union contract last week as AFSCME Maryland Council 3 members.
The more than 400-person Anne Arundel Library Workers United bargaining unit includes librarians, library associates, circulation staff, building care technicians and others. Workers began organizing in early 2023 and worked with AFSCME to push for the passage of the Library Workers Empowerment Act during last year’s legislative session. The bill established collective bargaining rights for all library workers in Maryland. Their contract contained multiple major wins, including more than 12% in raises, stronger protections against discrimination, a more equitable disciplinary process and more.
"The ratification process is the culmination of almost a year of work designing a contract that all parties agreed to,” said Lisa Shore, a part-time hourly information worker at the Odenton branch. “It is very exciting and a chance to build a library system that supports our amazing staff so we can support the communities we serve.”