Boulder Public Library District employees on Oct. 21 formally asked the library board to voluntarily recognize their union and codify collective bargaining rights.
Workers said they reached majority support within a week, with 62% of staff signing union membership cards. They also asked the board to adopt a proposed policy that would clarify a process for union recognition and affirm the workers’ right to bargain a contract with the district. In testimony to the board, workers emphasized the simplicity of the policy and the benefits of the clarity that it would provide.
“We hope you all agree that having the right to collective bargaining is something every worker should have the right to choose to do,” said library worker Christine Burke. “Still, even if you may feel differently, we hope you can see that having a clearly outlined and fair process will ultimately benefit everyone.”
“A union means stability, security, and a voice on the job. As much as I love this job, that’s something we don’t have right now. A union gives us a proper say, no matter who’s in charge,” said Sam Goodwin, who works in the library’s theater.
Custodian Michael Serrano, who was with the library when it was part of the city and had a union contract, said, “While the change to a district has been positive in many ways for the library, the loss of union protection can not be glossed over or ignored. It was a significant step backwards for our library. While the libraries in Denver and Jefferson County are gaining union protections, we lost them. That should be concerning for any member of the board looking to maintain Boulder Public Library as a competitive employer and a model of public service in Colorado.”
The board did not take action at the meeting but said it would form a subcommittee and respond to workers.