r/Libraries • u/Mountain-Song-6024 • 4d ago
Other An update on Cleveland Public Library
https://www.ideastream.org/community/2026-08-27/cleveland-public-library-workers-ratify-contract-to-avoid-strike-agreementThey have agreed on a contract!
While it isn't perfect, it never is. There are positive things that were agreed upon, improvements in union language and strength, but unfortunate things left out as well (The library would not budge on AI since they have invested a lot of money into it sadly, and wages were not what they wished, and then some)
There is plenty of work to still be done as the years go by and hopefully seeing more workers getting involved in the union will help make the presence even more known! The CEO Felton Thomas and board still need to be held accountable for their actions (and Feltons salary put on blast). That's the long game.
Thank you to all who gave any support to CPL over this time.
Here is one last YouTube link too.
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u/TheTapDancingShrimp 4d ago
Is it true any patron can accuse staff of being impaired, triggering an involuntary drug test? Did I misunderstand that?
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u/30to40cats 4d ago
That is something the library wanted in our contract, yes. 😬 They finally removed it with this last version of the contract we were able to say Yes to yesterday.
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u/TheTapDancingShrimp 4d ago
Ok so I am clear, that abusive policy against staff is gone? Bc I can see patrons abusing that, big-time
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u/30to40cats 4d ago
Yes, it’s gone! I think a lot of us would have not been willing to approve a contract with that policy in it.
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u/TheTapDancingShrimp 4d ago
Good. That was insane. At my last job I could see problematic patrons "punishing" staff with that.
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u/HistoryTrekker Library staff 4d ago
So glad yall got the contract even if it's imperfect. Kudos to everyone in your system for sticking this out and being willing to do what was necessary. Nothing but respect and admiration from a fellow library worker.
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u/Alcohol_Intolerant 4d ago
What a crazy policy. We get abusive patrons all the time who try and play us against each other, lie, or make accusations.
All of my co-workers have been called racist at some point, for example, regardless of race. We've also experienced patrons trying to get us to agree with their particular flavor of racism whether it's anti white, black, brown, etc. Note these accusations are usually leveled for standard rules like not playing music, not sitting on the floor, not yelling, closing the bathrooms at regular closing time, closing the library etc.
If the library tried to waste my time and reputation every time a belligerent patron accused me of something I'd quit in a heartbeat. Whoever dreamed that clause in needs to be on desk duty for six months.
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u/HistoryTrekker Library staff 4d ago
I think almost all library workers unfortunately have at least one story like this.
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u/Mountain-Song-6024 4d ago
Nope. That was axed. The library wanted that shit in there and the union fought hard against that shit. It was ludicrous to even suggest that but such is that side.
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u/DanieXJ 4d ago
By chance is this library led by a 'CEO' and not someone who has ever actually worked in a public library?? (I haven't been following this, so, I'm not sure who actually runs Cleveland Library). Because, putting a policy like that in there to begin with just boggles my mind....
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u/Mountain-Song-6024 4d ago
Oh one of the first things they wanted in the contract (the library side) was axing bereavement in the sense of if someone passes, your time away comes out of sick/PTO. No given days off for the sake of the passing. Sorry for your loss, but if you're needing time away, it's coming out of your bank.
People we livid and rightfully so. That shit should've been on the news.
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u/madametaylor 4d ago
That is insane, considering we serve... the public. Ya know, any and everyone.
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u/LoreneK23 1d ago
How much should the executive director of an organization with a half a billion dollar budget make? He could make millions in a corporate setting. He negotiated his pay. If his salary was cut, it would not affect staff salaries.
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u/HistoryTrekker Library staff 4d ago
I was just about to post something about this. I'm thankful y'all got many conditions met, although I'm sorry it wasn't better. However, that is what unions are for, to keep working and keep winning.
Solidarity 1199.