Your guide to NYC's public proceedings.
PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by George Olken, President of Local 1482 Brooklyn Library Guild
3:58:39
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George Olken, President of Local 1482 Brooklyn Library Guild, testifies about the need for adequate staffing and fair wages in New York City libraries. He emphasizes the challenges faced by library workers and calls for increased funding to address these issues.
- Highlights the struggle of library workers who need multiple jobs to make ends meet
- Advocates for a "generational investment" to pay living wages and address recruitment and retention problems
- Stresses the importance of unions in keeping public libraries open and welcoming to all
George Olken
3:58:39
And while we welcome seven day service, first we need staff first we need to staff libraries adequately for six day service and to pay workers wages that will allow us to live and thrive in New York City.
3:58:53
Sunday branches are staffed by low wage volunteers who compete for a few hours of overtime to make ends meet.
3:59:00
It isn't right that lifelong public servants have to work six days plus second and third jobs to pay their bills.
3:59:07
The libraries are advocating for fund the library administrations are advocating for funding to close their deficits and meet inflation.
3:59:13
The unions are advocating for a generational investment that through negotiations will pay a living wage and address our recruitment and retention problems.
3:59:23
Finally, we'd be able to fill vacancies, adequately staff six day service, open close branches, fight book bans, educate people of all ages and create a city and a future for us all.
3:59:33
While public institutions are under threat everywhere, our unions keep public libraries open and welcoming to all.
3:59:39
Everyone says they love libraries.
3:59:41
Our workers deserve to see that love in an ongoing budget commitment from the city.
3:59:46
So thank you for your consideration and we welcome questions.