Youngstown Library Ratifies New Union Contract

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – The Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County has ratified a new five-year contract with the Public Librarians Association of Youngstown of Service Employees International Union District 1199. 

The new contract will take effect April 1.

“We are grateful for the opportunity to recognize the excellent work that our librarians do and reaffirm our shared commitment to providing everyone in Mahoning County with quality information and excellent customer service,” said Aimee Fifarek, the library’s executive director, in a statement. “Throughout this process, both union members and library administration had the goal of being fiscally responsible with the funds our community has entrusted to us for library service.”

Added Anthony Caldwell, spokesman and chief negotiator for the union, “Today, the Public Librarians Association of Youngstown  members of SEIU District 1199 are proud to announce a new agreement with the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County that rewards library staff for the services they provide to the community and recognizes the dignity of their work.”

The new contract includes:

Annual wage increases of 2.5%. Full-time and part-time off-the-scale staff will receive annual payments of $600 and $400, respectively, in lieu of wage increases.

A 3% increase in the maximum wage for 2020 and 2% increases in 2021 and 2023.

Increased sick time accrual to 3.75 hours for full-time workers and 2.25 hours for part-time worker per pay period up to 1,040 hours.

The Public Library of Youngstown & Mahoning County also has a contract with Clerical/Maintenance/Technical of SEIU 1199 that expires April 30. Talks will begin in late March.

Public Librarians Association of Youngstown has 62 members and Clerical/Maintenance/Technical has 109.

Published by The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.