Salt Lake City Library Workers Win Unionization Vote, Making History

Historic Union Victory for Salt Lake City Public Library Workers

In a significant move for labor rights in Utah, workers at the Salt Lake City Public Library celebrated a momentous achievement on May Day, marking a new chapter in their employment. An overwhelming 92% of the library's workforce voted in favor of unionizing, making them the first group of public library employees in Utah to secure representation.

This landmark decision follows an extensive organizing effort that began almost two years ago. The employees initiated their campaign on April 24, 2023, coinciding with National Library Week, and have now aligned with AFSCME Local 1004. With the union now established, the next critical phase is negotiating their inaugural collective bargaining agreement.

Associate Librarian Christina Ordonez expressed optimism about the future, stating, “We as workers are looking forward to negotiating our first contract. We’ve always been here for our community, and we finally have the tools to advocate for ourselves and for each other.”

Welcome to the Union

Jerry Philpot, President of AFSCME 1004, heralded the development as historic not just for Salt Lake City but for Utah as a whole. “Library workers have always served their community with dedication, and now they will finally have a voice at the table to ensure their workplace is fair, safe and sustainable. We’re thrilled to begin contract negotiations and continue building a stronger library system for all,” he said.

The unionization effort received official support earlier this year when the Salt Lake City Public Library Board passed a resolution endorsing collective bargaining on January 29. This was followed by a February 4 vote by the Salt Lake City Council, which granted library employees the right to unionize.

This unionization reflects a growing trend nationwide, spearheaded by AFSCME Cultural Workers United. The organization represents over 45,000 cultural workers, including those in libraries, museums, and zoos, asserting its position as the leading union in this sector.

Opposition to Anti-Worker Legislation

The union victory comes amidst a backdrop of legislative challenges. Earlier this year, the Utah legislature passed House Bill 267, which seeks to prohibit collective bargaining for public service workers. However, the bill's implementation has been stalled due to a successful citizen-led referendum effort that collected over 320,000 signatures, necessitating a statewide vote.

Philpot emphasized the importance of rejecting HB 267, noting its potential impact on a wide range of public workers, including teachers, firefighters, and police officers, as well as those maintaining essential services like water and sewer systems. He urged Utahns to “vote in the best interests of their public workers,” highlighting that this issue transcends union rights and is fundamentally about protecting the individuals who serve the community every day.