Boulder Library Workers Push for Unionization with AFSCME Support
Editorial StaffBoulder Public Library Staff Seek Unionization to Enhance Workplace Democracy
In Boulder, Colorado, library staff at the Boulder Public Library are advocating for unionization to ensure their voices are heard in workplace decisions. Christine Burke, a volunteer program coordinator, and Michael Serrano, a custodian, are among the employees leading this charge. Their goal is to form a union under the representation of AFSCME, a major national union for public service workers.
The workers publicly announced their unionization intentions last Friday, aligning with AFSCME, which already represents numerous public service employees in Colorado, including those at the Jefferson County Public Library. AFSCME's Cultural Workers United initiative represents a significant movement, organizing 50,000 cultural workers across various institutions, including 275 libraries nationwide.
The Boulder library staff have petitioned the Library Board for collective bargaining rights and are seeking recognition of their union by the administration. They remain prepared to pursue a union election should their requests not be met. In the meantime, efforts to organize and gather union card signatures continue.
Burke emphasizes the importance of library workers having protection and a voice, stating, “Libraries are public institutions, model institutions of democracy, and we want to democratize our workplace.” She believes that strong and protected library workers are crucial for maintaining robust public libraries.
Historically, Boulder library staff were represented by a union as city employees before the formation of the Boulder Public Library District. Serrano recalls, “When we separated from the city, library staff went from having a union with collective bargaining rights to being at-will employees.” He advocates for the union's role in restoring their voice in decisions affecting their roles and the essential services they provide.
The movement in Boulder follows the precedent set by Jefferson County Public Library workers, who were the first to unionize in the state under a collective bargaining law passed in 2022. This legislative change opened the door for county workers to seek union representation, setting an example for others in the state.
