Dartmouth Library Workers Form Union, Ratify First Contract

Library staff at Dartmouth College found their collective voice amid the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to a successful unionization effort.

“When it mattered the most, we had no voice, we had no say — and COVID was the kicker,” stated Bridgett Bonar, an acquisition data specialist at the college’s main library.

In the spring, a group of 90 library employees officially formed AFSCME Local 603 through Council 93, after initiating contract discussions in February 2024. This marked the ratification of their first union contract.

The Journey to Unionization

Organizing a union at Dartmouth College, located in Hanover, N.H., was a protracted endeavor lasting nearly three years. During this period, library workers overcame obstacles such as remote work, departmental divisions, and increasing costs of living, while also addressing disparities in work standards and pay.

“Most of us can’t afford to live in town,” expressed Daniel Abosso, a research librarian with eight years of experience at the institution. “We had to organize on Slack, email, in socially distanced hallway conversations — whatever it took. And we made it work.”

Bridgett Bonar recounted the administration's approach to bargaining sessions: “The administration wouldn’t budge. They came to sessions with nothing prepared, struck down entire proposals without real discussion, and almost never countered.” Despite this, the workers, supported by a dedicated seven-member bargaining team and strategic guidance from Council 93, remained steadfast.

Achieving Success

May 7 marked the day when the library workers ratified their inaugural contract.

“We aimed high and stood our ground,” Abosso remarked. “We knew we were setting a foundation—for today, and tomorrow’s contracts.”

The newly ratified contract ensures that all staff receive 22 vacation days, a minimum wage of $22 per hour, signing bonuses, paid parental leave, expanded bereavement leave, professional development time, and established workplace standards.

Abosso also noted the broader impact of unionization: “Even things we didn’t get in writing have started changing. That’s the power of a union — we set expectations.”

The success story of Dartmouth College’s library workers is reflective of a larger trend where cultural workers are gaining momentum through AFSCME. The AFSCME Cultural Workers United initiative is at the forefront of the largest organizing movement for employees in museums, libraries, zoos, and other cultural institutions, representing 45,000 workers nationwide.