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Jackson library company to bargain with workers
Thursday, February 14, 2008 | No comments posted.
MEDFORD (AP) — The company that took over Jackson County libraries after they were closed in a round of budget cuts has agreed to bargain with its workers.
Service Employees International Union Local 503 filed an unfair labor practice complaint against Library Systems and Services LLC in December with the National Labor Relations Board, which was scheduled to rule on the matter later this week.
Instead of waiting for a ruling, the Maryland-based company has agreed to enter into negotiations with the union that could result in a contract for an estimated 65 employees who formerly worked for Jackson County but were terminated last April when libraries closed because of uncertainty over federal timber payments.
All 15 branches reopened last October with the company in charge.
“It does not mean that they go back under the contract as they had with Jackson County,” said Andrew Barnes, assistant organizing director for the union. “It does not mean folks go back and have the same wages and benefits as county workers.”
Barnes said it will be up to library workers to decide what they want from a contract, which would have to be negotiated with the company. “My sense is the biggest hit people took was around benefits,” he said. “There is not a huge gap in wages.”
Company President and CEO Frank Pezzanite said he wants to work with the union, but his company did not envision it would enter into bargaining talks when it signed a contract with Jackson County to operate libraries.
“We are somewhat limited because we have a five-year contract with the county,” said Pezzanite.
He said his company will be straightforward about its financial picture as it works toward agreement.
“We are confined by our contract,” he said. “We don’t have a lot of wiggle room and a lot of flex.”
Barnes said the union would meet with library workers, conduct a survey to determine what they want out of a contract, then eventually present a proposal to the company.
Information from: Mail Tribune, http://www.mailtribune.com/
Service Employees International Union Local 503 filed an unfair labor practice complaint against Library Systems and Services LLC in December with the National Labor Relations Board, which was scheduled to rule on the matter later this week.
Instead of waiting for a ruling, the Maryland-based company has agreed to enter into negotiations with the union that could result in a contract for an estimated 65 employees who formerly worked for Jackson County but were terminated last April when libraries closed because of uncertainty over federal timber payments.
All 15 branches reopened last October with the company in charge.
“It does not mean that they go back under the contract as they had with Jackson County,” said Andrew Barnes, assistant organizing director for the union. “It does not mean folks go back and have the same wages and benefits as county workers.”
Barnes said it will be up to library workers to decide what they want from a contract, which would have to be negotiated with the company. “My sense is the biggest hit people took was around benefits,” he said. “There is not a huge gap in wages.”
Company President and CEO Frank Pezzanite said he wants to work with the union, but his company did not envision it would enter into bargaining talks when it signed a contract with Jackson County to operate libraries.
“We are somewhat limited because we have a five-year contract with the county,” said Pezzanite.
He said his company will be straightforward about its financial picture as it works toward agreement.
“We are confined by our contract,” he said. “We don’t have a lot of wiggle room and a lot of flex.”
Barnes said the union would meet with library workers, conduct a survey to determine what they want out of a contract, then eventually present a proposal to the company.
Information from: Mail Tribune, http://www.mailtribune.com/
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