Workers File To Form Union At Skokie Public Library

SKOKIE, IL — Staff at Skokie Public Library have filed paperwork with the Illinois Labor Relations Board to join the Service Employees International Union, the union announced Wednesday.

A majority of eligible workers have signed authorization cards to be certified as part of SEIU Local 73, which represents more than 29,000 workers in mostly taxpayer-funded positions, according to a statement from the union.

In a statement, library union organizers said they hoped to involve the voices of a wider array of workers at the "decision making table" to meet the needs of the community.

"For the last few years, the library's administration has — rightly — emphasized the importance of equity in our services. But, equity in our services can't be pursued without equity for our staff," organizers said. "This means bettering the working lives and wages of our most vulnerable and unsung staff members."

Angela Jones, coordinator of the library's youth and family program, supports the unionization drive. In a statement, she said she believed it would allow all staff to have a say in decisions that affect them.

"Important decisions, especially those that impact health and safety, are currently being made by people who are not most directly impacted by these decisions,” said Angela Jones, Youth & Family Program coordinator. “I love this library and I want it to be a safe and healthy place to work for everyone who works here."

Jarrett Dapier, a young adult librarian, said a union is the "backbone" of a strong workforce.

"We can now, through collective bargaining, more effectively advocate for a healthier, safer, and more secure library staff," Dapier said in a statement. "By working together in this way, we will be able to deliver even better and more consistent library services to the people of Skokie."

Ly Nguyen, an information specialist at the library, said workers deserve a more democratic process for marking decisions.

“While we fight for justice outside of work," Nguyen said, "we have to look at the ways the workplace can be more equitable and give voice to frontline staff."

Organizers of the drive have asked library administrators to remain neutral and respect their rights to unionize, according to a statement from SEIU.

Skokie Public Library Director Richard Kong said it was the library staff’s first unionization attempt of which he was aware.

“We have received a copy of the petition and will comment after further review,” he said.