Carnegie Library employees vote to join Steelworkers

Librarians and other staff members across the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh system voted Wednesday to form a union for more than 300 fulland part- time workers.

The vote, counted at the library’s main branch in Oakland, was 173 for the union and 106 against.

Union supporters who were among the 30 or so people observing the vote count cheered as the final tally was read.

The vote means library staff will become part of the United Steelworkers and negotiate a contract with the library system.

“We are honored to welcome these vital community builders into our growing union,” USW International President Thomas M. Conway said in a statement. “This is a big step toward making the library more fair and equitable for the workers that keep it thriving.”

The Teamsters and SEIU currently represent the Carnegie Library’s drivers and environmental service workers. This new effort includes all 321 remaining eligible staff, who will join a growing number of area white- collar workers who are represented by the steelworkers union.

Rachel Masilamani, a librarian at the Downtown branch who voted in favor of unionizing, said the formation of a union was “just another way to improve things.”

“The most important thing across the board was the security of having a contract,” she said.

Henry Dragenflo, a librarian at the Woods Run branch who voted against unionization, said creativity could suffer because managers will have less ability to judge workers individually.

“It’s not the right choice for the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh,” he said.

Library officials issued a statement saying they respected the staff’s initiative.

“Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh values all of our staff and recognizes that their service and contributions are critical to our mission,” Carnegie Library spokeswoman Suzanne Thinnes said.