LIBRARIAN: Gives Folks Food Facts

I can't even imagine working without a union," said AFSCME Local 2083 (Washington Council 2) Pres. Linda Saunto. "The year I got my library degree was the same year the librarians at the Seattle Public Library formed a union. I was a charter member.

Seattle, Washington

I can't even imagine working without a union," said AFSCME Local 2083 (Washington Council 2) Pres. Linda Saunto. "The year I got my library degree was the same year the librarians at the Seattle Public Library formed a union. I was a charter member.

"As librarians, we were not getting our concerns through to the library administration," she said. "It was especially frustrating because library administration was just us." Those who had been promoted to management were also librarians. "They'd go off as if they were a separate breed. The union was formed to give a voice to the professional staff."

Since that time, about 25 years ago, the classified staff also organized. "We merged locals two years ago," said Saunto proudly. "We found we had a lot more in common than we had dividing us. We have one wall-to-wall union. It really enhances our everyday working life."

And—as in libraries across the country—Seattle's library staff need all the life enhancement they can get.

"Working in a city library," said Saunto, "it's a constant scramble for money. With the potential federal cuts—and the legislation being passed in Congress—we're concerned about the future."

Saunto also regularly sees the faces of those who have fallen through the safety net.

"Homeless people use the library. It's an issue that causes a lot of dissension," she said. "We have a respectful relationship with the homeless population. I had a gentleman a few months ago who wanted materials about 'crate technology.' He later informed me he was trying to build a shelter. Some come to us asking about jobs in Alaska—seasonal jobs in the fishing industry. Some—women especially—come and ask us to help with finding social service agencies to find shelter for their families."

The "Food" Librarian

Saunto and her co-workers each have assigned subject specialties. And Saunto's area of specialization has made her one of the most popular librarians around.

"My subjects are gardening and home economics—including food," she said. "The thing people call about most is food. Researchers call me. Students come in; they want to compare the history of table manners in the U.S. with Japan. Women call in for menu ideas."

Most recently, Saunto was on public radio as part of the library's outreach efforts. "They wanted me to bring in odd questions I have had. They might have me back—possibly quarterly."

Her professional responsibilities take time and creative effort, but she keeps up the fight for her co-workers' rights.

"Our union fought for eight years for pay equity. We got the library to do a special pay equity study. They compared our jobs with other jobs in the city. The discrepancy between our lowest-paid workers and their equivalents in the city was 25 percent," she said. "The study showed this incredible gap."

Saunto and her local took action. "We negotiated a settlement with the city, and they paid it. We couldn't have done this without the help of AFSCME International."

As Saunto said, she can't even imagine working without a union!