Newark library workers fight for fair wages and better funding

Library Workers in Newark Demand Fair Wages Amid Ongoing Stagnation

For over three decades, Shileen Shaw has dedicated her career to the Newark Public Library system. Starting as a page at just 16 years old, Shaw now serves as a library assistant focused on youth programs. Despite her passion for her work, Shaw and her colleagues face the challenge of stagnant wages and a lack of a new contract for nearly two years.

“The administration has gotten progressively worse when it comes to valuing its library workers. This most recent contract negotiation has been the worst. They won’t budge on anything – won't even consider it,” Shaw noted. This sentiment is shared among her peers within the Newark Library system.

As a committed member of Local 2298 (AFSCME New Jersey), Shaw is part of a group representing various library roles, including assistants, associates, librarians, and maintenance workers. Their previous contract expired at the end of 2023, and since then, they have pushed for a contract that ensures a living wage and keeps pace with inflation.

Striving for a Living Wage

According to the MIT Living Wage Calculator, the living wage for the New York City metro area stands at approximately $58,000 for a single individual. Nonetheless, many library workers, some with significant experience, earn below $40,000, with some earning as little as $32,000.

Beth Zak-Cohen, president of the local union, highlighted the core issue: the library system's severe underfunding. “The library budget has decreased by 25% since 2007, and 48.6% with inflation. It is currently underfunded by as much as $10 million. This has left more than 50% of our members making below the standard living wage in our area,” she explained.

Increased Funding, Yet No Pay Raise

Zak-Cohen has led efforts to advocate for adequate funding, organizing rallies and engaging public support. These efforts culminated in the Newark City Council approving a $1.1 million increase in the library's budget in September 2024. Despite this financial boost, the city has yet to offer higher pay during negotiations.

The union argues for compensation aligned with the New Jersey Library Association's salary guidelines to prevent staff attrition to better-paying library systems. For some positions, current salaries fall significantly short of these recommendations.

“We are proud of the work we do and want to continue serving our community. Unfortunately, many of us are struggling to survive under rising rents and health care costs. Many of us work multiple jobs just to make ends meet and our paychecks are not keeping up. We know that we deserve better,” Zak-Cohen emphasized.

State Arbitration as the Next Step

The city's proposed salary adjustments would only bring workers up to the NJLA's minimum standards, which the workers find insufficient. As a result, the unresolved contract dispute has moved into the state of New Jersey’s arbitration process, with workers awaiting a mediator to address the deadlock.

Reflecting the broader concerns, Shaw stated, “We’re not asking to be rich. We don’t work at the library to get rich. We do it because we love it, and people in our town need the library and the programs it provides.”