Contact: Chelsey Engel, cengel@usw.org, 412-212-8173
Workers at the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh reached a tentative agreement last Thursday, Dec. 2, on a four-year contract that would cover approximately 300 workers across 19 branches as well as the library support center.
“I’m so proud of every worker who shared their stories and fought for our first contract,” said Kira Yeversky, who works as a clerk at the Homewood library branch. “They displayed true solidarity, and I can’t wait to see what this next chapter brings for all of us.”
Workers voted to join the United Steelworkers (USW) union in August 2019 seeking a seat at the table when it came to decisions impacting the library community and their own working environment.
Yeversky said the agreement represents many significant gains around these issues and more, including workplace health and safety, pay equity and affordable health care.
The Teamsters and SEIU currently represent the Carnegie Library’s drivers and environmental service workers. This new agreement covers all remaining eligible staff who are among a growing number of white-collar USW members in Allegheny County.
The USW represents 850,000 workers employed in metals, mining, pulp and paper, rubber, chemicals, glass, auto supply and the energy-producing industries, along with a growing number of workers in health care, public sector, higher education, tech and service occupations.