UFCW Local 1994 MCGEO/The Library Union presents this testimony supporting House Bill 895, legislation that will grant collective bargaining rights to Howard County’s library employees.

The American Library Association’s policy 54.11 “recognizes the principle of collective bargaining as one of the methods of conducting labor-management relations used by private and public institutions. The Association affirms the right of eligible library employees to organize and bargain collectively with their employers, or to refrain from organizing and bargaining collectively, without fear of reprisal.”

We agree. Collective bargaining is a fundamental civil right. As you know, many other public employees in Maryland and throughout Howard County enjoy the benefits of collective bargaining and have enjoyed these rights starting in the 1960s. In 2010, we pushed legislation that would have extended the right to organize to all library employees in Maryland. 

To view a full copy of the testimony, click on the link.

2013 Howard County Library Bill Testimony.pdf