Rockford Public Library accuses union of trying to sabotage gala
Rockford Public Library officials on Thursday accused union leaders of attempting to sabotage a Rockford Public Library Foundation fundraiser amid contentious contract negotiations.
A news release says that AFSCME Local 3350 union members have encouraged residents and other union members to boycott a planned May 4 PreGrand Opening Gala that is to feature a tour of the new library, live music and a fireworks display over the river. It’s meant to raise money for the foundation to provide free community programming, the news release says.
“To say that the Foundation is completely blindsided and saddened by the malicious attack by the RPL union employees and local union is an understatement,” the news release said. “Private funding is truly what allows the library to transform good components into a great library; it’s also what helps RPL to pilot new, innovative programs to test their efficacy before becoming part of their core offerings and services.”
Union leaders have in recent days complained that library leadership has not provided requested safety training, declined to make a safety committee a permanent part of their contract and not offered adequate pay and benefit increases. Union members have begun to discuss the possibility of a strike.
AFSCME Council 31 Staff Representative Sara Dorner said other unions are standing in solidarity with library workers. Dorner said that union members have told the library that “they would be pleased to donate — after RPL management reaches a fair agreement with library employees.”
“We share the Foundation’s goal of a library that’s well-funded and provides vital services to the community,” Dorner said in a statement. “It is the priorities of RPL management we question: They’re willing to spend more than $7 million on the main library renovation, but have so far refused to settle a fair contract with the employees who will staff it.”
The success or failure of the gala will have no impact on contract negotiations between the library board and the union representing about 50 librarians and assistant librarians, library officials said.
“Unfortunately, the unions’ recent requests that our local government officials, private donors and community stakeholders boycott supporting or even attending the Gala, does nothing but directly block us from serving those who live here,” RPL Development Director Brook Loomis said in the news release.