Sajan Thomas works in the information technology department the public library in Haverstraw, a community north of New York City.
Frustrated with not having a strong enough voice, the workers at Haverstraw King’s Daughters Public Library dissolved their previous staff association and recently joined forces with CSEA/AFSCME Local 1000. CSEA represents over 250,000 workers across New York state and is AFSCME’s largest affiliate union.
Now, they feel the power.
“We were lions without any teeth, and now we are lions with teeth,” Thomas said.
The workers are celebrating after winning voluntary recognition of the new union they formed through CSEA.
After repeatedly being disrespected and feeling like they had no voice on the job, they knew they needed to build power and fight back. But when the director of their library decided to implement a new employee manual without staff input or approval, the workers knew it was time for a change.
After researching and meeting with other unions, the workers decided to organize with CSEA. The theme of their organizing drive — a play off the Haverstraw King’s Daughters Public Library acronym — was, “Having Knowledge Develops Power Longer-term for Everybody.”
In just a few months, workers quickly amassed majority support for a new union with CSEA. On May 5, they delivered a letter to Library Director Claudia Depkin seeking voluntary recognition of their new union.
Less than two weeks later, the library board granted them voluntary recognition. That happened during a board meeting where the workers, joined by CSEA members and staff, packed the room and remained until a decision was announced.