Salt Lake City Library Workers Secure Historic Union Contract Victory

In a remarkable show of resilience, Salt Lake City Public Library workers have managed to forge a path to unionization despite facing significant legislative roadblocks. Their journey, beginning in April 2023, culminated in forming Utah's first library union, marking a significant milestone for public sector workers in the state.

Initially, the library workers embarked on their unionization efforts with AFSCME Local 1004, driven by the desire to secure collective bargaining rights. This process demanded two critical approvals: a resolution from the Salt Lake City Public Library and subsequent approval from the Salt Lake City Council, which was granted on February 4, 2025.

However, their progress was threatened when Utah Governor Spencer Cox signed House Bill 267, targeting public sector collective bargaining, into law shortly after the council's approval. Despite the impending July 1, 2025, implementation of HB 267, the library workers remained undeterred. They launched a referendum campaign to delay the bill and proceeded with preparations for a union election.

Their tenacity paid off on May 1, 2025, when Salt Lake City Public Library Workers United made history by winning the union election with a 92% majority. This victory was a critical step, positioning them as the first library union in Utah.

Negotiations for their inaugural union contract commenced in late August, with the pressing need to finalize agreements in time for inclusion in the upcoming fiscal budget. On November 13, 2025, the workers announced a tentative agreement, expressing their achievement in an emotional Instagram post: “We are finally here. It has taken nearly 4 years of advocating, meeting with coworkers, changing laws, fighting the legislation and learning. We are extremely proud of our work and are committed to democracy where all workers have voice at the table.”

The agreement was ratified by the union members and the library board by December 2025, with the Salt Lake City Council giving its final approval on February 3, 2026. This contract promises substantial benefits for approximately 350 library workers, including significant base pay increases, annual raises of 5.5% through 2028, a new grievance procedure, and telehealth options for part-time workers.

Reflecting on the journey, Christina Ordonez, an associate librarian, expressed pride in their accomplishments: “Winning this contract feels so much bigger than us. With every challenge that came our way, we kept saying, ‘We’re not going to let this stop us. This isn’t over.’ I’m so proud of all the good trouble we’ve gotten into and everything we’ve accomplished, especially in a red state like Utah.”