In a new working conditions contract, Local
1482 won substantial gains for current members and the right to represent
additional Brooklyn Public Library employees. Union leaders and library
officials signed the three-year pact Feb. 7 at the Central Library at
Grand Army Plaza.
Highlights of the contract include the right to a bonus day, monthly
MetroCards provided through a pre-tax payroll deduction, greater opportunities
for promotions, improved language on scheduling, and two floating holidays
instead of the automatic Lincoln's birthday and Election Day holidays.
Notable improvements also include winter jackets for all Maintainers
and Custodial Assistants, and increases of $1.50 in the meal allowance
and 5 cents per mile in the mileage allowance. The contract calls for
labor management committees to review scheduling practices and reassignments
and a committee to review the use of video display terminals and ergonomic
issues.
The agreement permits the union to represent employees in the Connecting
Library and School Projects (CLASP), literacy and other publicly funded
grant programs that exceed 18 months. New titles in the local union
include Computer Aide, Computer Service Technician, Computer Associate
(technical support), Custodians Levels III and IV, Assistant Purchasing
Agent, Purchasing Agent I and II, and Media Services Technician Level
II.
The bargaining committee was led by Local 1482 President Marlene Rosenberg
and included Judith Susser, vice president (librarians); Alice Ellerbe,
former vice president (clerical); Robert Wright, vice president (blue
collar); Eileen Muller, treasurer; Elizabeth White, recording secretary
and Sandra Michaud, clerical rep.
DC 37 staffers Evelyn Seinfeld, associate director of research and negotiations,
and Rep Audrey D. McConney worked closely with the committee.
Members overwhelmingly approved the contract in March 2001, through
a mail ballot vote overseen by the American Arbitration Association.
Library and union negotiators needed the intervening period to draft
new contract language, because this was the first time in several years
that the working conditions pact included major changes.
Salaries are covered in a separate economic agreement, which currently
runs from April 1, 2000 to June 30, 2002. Ms. Rosenberg, Ms. Seinfeld,
the Local 1482 Bargaining Committee and former DC 37 Administrator Lee
Saunders represented the union at the signing. The Library's executive
director, Martin Gomez, headed management's team at the event.