After facing public pressure, Timberland Regional Library (TRL) has rescinded most of its planned involuntary layoffs. The library workers union announced the reversal, which significantly reduces the number of employees affected. However, some layoffs will still proceed.
What happened
Timberland Regional Library (TRL) initially announced layoffs to address a $3.8 million budget deficit. Following public outcry and negotiations with the library workers union AFSCME Local 3758, TRL agreed to reverse over 80% of the involuntary layoffs initially planned.
How many employees affected
TRL is rescinding 36 involuntary layoffs. 17 employees had already chosen a voluntary layoff option and will leave on April 30. The remaining eight involuntary layoffs will still go into effect on May 15.
Why layoffs happened
The layoffs were initially implemented to address a $3.8 million budget deficit within the Timberland Regional Library system. The former TRL Executive Director Cheryl Heywood resigned last month after TRL announced the layoffs as a remedy to the budget deficit.
Company background
Timberland Regional Library (TRL) is a library system serving multiple counties. It provides library services to local communities. The library is governed by a Board of Trustees.
Industry impact
The reversal of the layoffs highlights the importance of public support for library services and the role of unions in advocating for library workers. The union has called for a levy lid lift to ensure stable funding for the library system.
What's next
The union supports a call for a levy lid lift. The union has also renewed its call for an audit into TRL’s finances and leadership to better understand what led to the current budget crisis and hold TRL’s leaders accountable. The TRL Board of Trustees will rely on the interim executive director to conduct an audit and prepare TRL to run a levy lid lift.
Source: yelmonline.com