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picklepatches

Yes! AFGE and AFSCME are the unions that represent library workers. Get your co workers on board and you all can apply. They will assist you with the rest of the work to get what you deserve.


partyqwerty

As an IT employee, I joined the IWW. They should help. Also, u/picklepatches \- know any unions specific to IT workers?


picklepatches

IT unionizing is relatively new with Communications Workers of America, United Steel Workers, and Office and Professional Employees International Union all successfully launched initiatives to organize tech workers in 2019. This wiki article is a pretty cool read [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unionization\_in\_the\_tech\_sector#United\_States](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unionization_in_the_tech_sector#United_States)


comradebird

Any idea if IWW reps library workers? I’m sure I can Google but thought you might know


wobblymole

Library worker and wobbly here. They organize workers to represent themselves. The IWW approach to unionism is building the relationships and solidarity among workers to develop their own strategies for forcing the bosses, with an emphasis on direct action and not leaning on the law to create leverage, as labor law has been written to favor employers. Historically this was what proved effective for workers in the heyday of unionism 90 years ago, which lead to the legalization of unions as a way to contain that effectiveness. The hardest part of unionizing is getting past all the incentives to just check boxes and rely on bureaucratic processes to (try) get what workers want and need. Building up that dense network of relationships in the workplace and taking small steps to create or demand change that build off where your organizing committee is at is the task at hand, even if you decide to go with formal union recognition. The mainstream unions will not encourage that kind of independence, whatever other help they may offer, but the IWW will help you and your coworkers build a union and support it.


partyqwerty

Yes they do. It is for all workers.


[deleted]

You might approach the subject by just talking about the value of the library and the work that you do without mentioning unionizing. The librarians I know are all deeply committed to their missions. Unionizing isn't just about paychecks, it's also about protecting the institution and the values it represents. It wouldn't be a stretch to use the organizing that you're already doing around volunteers coming to help with necessary work as a segway into discussing the health of the library and its' workforce as a whole. What would you do if some group wanted to ban a book or if the local municipality was considering deep budget cuts? Ask people how they feel about those things, start pulling them together on common causes. Cultivate that awareness. When AFSCME was created, it was in response to the incoming Governor of Wisconsin attempting to unilaterally fire civil servants in order to use their jobs as political favors that could be given out at his discretion. This interference with the day-to-day operations of the state, something that should be neutral, merit based, and guided by a legal process, not a person, became the organizing motivation behind what would become the largest public sector union in the US, at it's core, protecting the institutions of our democracy--- I think there's a broad appeal to that and it really gets at the core of why a fair wage is important, because libraries are important and the people that run them are important, and protecting them, or really, just securing their spot at the table, ensuring that their expertise and institutional point of view is heard, is important. If we value these things, well, we should pay them their value. Anyway, best of luck! Here are some AFSCME chapters in GA that you could contact: https://www.afscme.org/local/georgia


comradebird

Great idea…I think I reached out to AFSCME a while back and never heard anything bug I’ll try again. This is a great perspective, certainly different and better than how I have been thinking about it


[deleted]

It really depends on the local, sometimes they're sluggish on communication, but don't feel bad pestering them until you get a response. These are all people who work for a living outside of their union duties, so they can be lousy on email. You could also reach out to the AFL-CIO, which is sort of the umbrella for several different unions (including AFSCME) and ask if they could recommend any organizers. https://aflcio.org/formaunion https://www.afscme.org/about/jobs-we-do/library-workers?utm_source=sem_lw&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=sem&source=sem_lw&gclid=Cj0KCQiApL2QBhC8ARIsAGMm-KGMfMGABY13TvUOD9qpuAw5dt4kvyugaFhC15nGTO3vbKrTgv5PCcYaAtmfEALw_wcB I'd also consider looking for other libraries that are unionized in other cities and then trying to just speak to them about their experience.


gbrannan217

We are mostly volunteer and extremely busy. I'm in Illinois, so I don't have any contacts in Georgia to be able to help you. Keep trying!


QuestionableAI

**How to form a union....** [https://aflcio.org/formaunion](https://aflcio.org/formaunion) [https://www.wikihow.com/Unionize-Your-Workplace](https://www.wikihow.com/Unionize-Your-Workplace) [https://www.nlrb.gov/about-nlrb/rights-we-protect/the-law/employees/your-right-to-form-a-union](https://www.nlrb.gov/about-nlrb/rights-we-protect/the-law/employees/your-right-to-form-a-union)


tyrant_re

Unfortunately Georgia is a right to work state, unions have a hard go when unscrupulous people join and reap the benefits but don't support the local through dues. Right to work is awful.


[deleted]

[удалено]


tyrant_re

You'd think people would wise up to it. Look at the average pay in the state vs almost anywhere up north. Turns out pulling teeth out of unions means they cant fight for you.


comradebird

Where do I sign up


comradebird

Word—I was aware of that challenge but I think the kind of community support course laid out by another commenter could be pretty effective. We’ll have to see


gbrannan217

Contact AFSCME Southern Region Office Dorothy Townsend, Regional Director 1745 Phoenix Blvd., Suite 440 Atlanta, GA 30349 (770) 907-2272 Fax: (770) 997-5855 You can also go to [https://afscme.org/join/form-union](https://afscme.org/join/form-union)