Library employees ratify contract [The Press-Republican, Plattsburgh, N.Y.]

Dec. 28--PLATTSBURGH -- The union that covers Plattsburgh Public Library has accepted a contract proposed by a city councilor.

The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 788B accepted the agreement proposed by Councilor Tim Carpenter (D-Ward 1), unanimously approving a four-year contract, AFSCME President Denise Nephew said.

The new contract, OK'd by the Library Board and pending approval by the Common Council, will prevent layoffs of four library employees.

NO RAISES, HOURS CUT

All 15 employees showed up for the vote Monday evening, Nephew said. The previous contract had expired in July.

Carpenter's plan gives no raises, includes a 15 percent across-the-board increase in health-insurance payments and reduces the work week from 37.5 hours to 35 hours for each employee.

Nephew says the new contract will cause hardships for employees, but "it saves the library. It saves their lives. The library is their passion.

"They are going to lose money starting the beginning of the year," she said, noting they will have to co-pay on health insurance and give up about two hours a week in pay.

"But they did it to save their library, to continue to help make things better."

CITY CONTRIBUTION

Carpenter, who is liaison to the library, also proposed that the city give the library an additional $60,000 to help with a budget deficit of $150,000. But that must be approved by the Common Council.

"I'm very happy about the vote," Carpenter said Tuesday morning. "The people at the library have spoken, and that's a good thing.

"With this contract, the library budget will become extremely stable," he added. "We will know the payroll costs over the next four years; the payroll likely won't increase over that time period."

Moving forward with the new contract means that all sides have had to make concessions, but it will also mean that the four positions will be saved, Carpenter noted.

"Basically, the library is getting a second chance. A lot of this is coming on the backs of the workers, but a lot of people have been involved in this. Everyone has made sacrifices, but it is amazing what people can do when they work together."

The city provided $811,000 to fund the library this year, with the state contributing $87,000.

'TERRIFIC'

But the city does not operate the library; it is run by a 13-member Board of Directors, who met Tuesday and finalized their approval of the new contract.

"I think it's terrific," Board President Roland Lockwood said of the union's vote. "It's a long-range plan for the library to get back on its feet the way it should be.

"By doing this, the union shows that they really do care about the library and the people who use it and are willing to help in any way they can."

MINIMUM HOURS

The board had proposed the layoffs; the union countered with another offer. But it was Carpenter's plan that put to rest weeks of controversy that included the possibility of job losses, a slashed book budget and reduced library hours.