SLC librarians are demanding a union. A state bill can restore the efforts of the shelf. – Salt Lake Tribun

As state legislators consider unions in the public sector, one can form right on the hill in the capital of Utah.

Led by Reporter Jordan Teusher, R-South Jordan and Senator Kirk Kulimore, R-Cottonwood HeightsSome Republican legislators are Sought to limit the power of the public unions of employees in the country Beehive.

However, this did not stop the pressure of the Union among Salt Lake City librarians. City Council members voted unanimously Tuesday evening to approve a resolution that defines the railing.

“When we are allowed to organize and overlap collectively, we get together and say,” We are a majority of staff; We all think this needs to change, “says Brace Hayes, a librarian in the Glendale City Branch and a member of the Union Organizing Committee. “This is much more efficient and attracts the attention of management or leadership.”

HB267 has ignited intense opposition and Download the rage of Salt Mayor Lake City Erin MendenholS Ther Last version The measure does not allow governmental agencies to negotiate with trade unions who represent their employees. More They allowed public organizations to market collectively with a class of their workers if a majority of them voted to recognize an alliance once every five years.

Pressing up to the Library Union began in 2023, when a group of workers announced that they were organizing with the US Federation of State, District and Municipal Officers, which represents some other employees in the city. The proposed union will be the first for library workers in Utah.

Hayes said the library staff pursued an alliance in the hope of raising salaries, improving health benefits, addressing the safety concerns for the long ones and earning more, how the city’s branches are managed.

Prior to the Salt Lake City Library, the Library Board had already approved a labor resolution providing a road card for unification.

“I am proud that the library is deeply committed to taking care and supporting its employees,” Saria Toronto told the Board Chairman to the City Council last month. “This resolution is the worst development in the dialogue between Salt Lake City Public Library and some of its employees regarding their desire to continue the union.”

The resolution acknowledges the right of full and part-time library workers to join the proposals, finds that the majority of the employees is eligible should want to form the Union and write how the parties will approach the impasse in the negotiations S

It does not deal with specific working conditions. They will be killed in collective negotiation.

“Evaluation of everyone about the work, time and energy that has entered this,” said Municipal Council member Sarah Young at the meeting. “… [I] We really look forward to seeing him in the final in favor of library employees. “

The Council’s decision comes when MPs debate a bill that seeks to limit the power of the state sector. By Wednesday afternoon, the most version of HB267 will undress the right of collectively bargaining from public officials, requires employment organizations to announce how to spend fees and prohibit using public dollars to swing the union opinion.

The next move for library employees will be the petition for unionS The library’s leadership estimates that the first collective agreement can also be signed for fiscal 2027.

But HB267, if accepted and signed by Governor Spencer Cox in its current form, can make the process.

“It’s annoying to me,” Hayes told HB267, “Because if he passed, it would mean that all the work we’ve been doing over the last three years will be essentially for nothing.”