Librarians are Worth More than 1%
IIf you missed last week’s May Day action by FAM, check out the speeches by FAM President Theresa Kulbaga and FAM organizer Cathy Wagner at our website. And check our socials (@famiamioh) for more photos and videos!
Today at bargaining, management did not come prepared. They came to the table twice in the morning, both times with nothing. When they finally did come to the table with something, it was insulting and absurd.
Management claimed they “made significant movement” in “generously” promising a 3% raise over 3 years — that’s just 1% per year — and offering to increase the raise for getting promoted to Associate Librarian by $500. While we can appreciate the start of engagement in promotional increases, there is little else that can be said that is any positive light. They are making it clear: they do not value librarians. They think librarians ought to be like Victorian street urchins, begging for scraps and being thankful for what half-spoiled food is passed their way under the guise of charity.
In an attempt to make progress toward a tentative agreement, we passed a Compensation proposal that made some real concessions in an attempt to reach an agreement. We reduced our overall raise proposal by more than 30% and simplified the structure of the annual raises to make it easier for our math-challenged admin to implement. FAM-L is fighting for the strongest possible contract, and we believe that librarians are worth more than a measly 1% annual raise. That’s why our proposal still includes defined raises for each year of the contract, increases to the promotion bumps for both promotional levels, and minimum salaries for all ranks — and we’re going to fight like hell for these things.
To make the University value librarians and faculty, we need YOU to help us move management at the table:
- Be on the lookout for upcoming actions at Graduation events and at the May 15th Board of Trustees Meeting!
- Come to our upcoming bargaining sessions to show management you support a Fair Contract Now:
- FAM-L (librarians): May 13, 19, 27; June 17, 24 (additional June dates to be discussed)
- FAM-T (faculty): May 11, 18, 22 (additional June dates to be added)
Questions about our proposals and member-led negotiating priorities? Reach out to info@famiami.org!
photos from our May Day action — follow us on socials @famiamioh for more!
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