Library and Union Reach Agreement on 2-Year Contract

The Palos Verdes Library District and the union that represents the 63 employees of the Palos Verdes Peninsula’s three libraries have renegotiated the terms of a two-year contract.

The new pact will replace a contract that the library district board implemented when the two parties reached an impasse last fall, library officials said Monday.

The interim contract was imposed in November after six months of negotiations between the library district and the Service Employees International Union, Local 347. Contract negotiations were reopened when two new board members were seated last month.

As part of the new contract, employees will receive a 1.5% raise retroactive to Nov. 22, 1997, and an additional 1.5% increase beginning July 1. The district also will increase its contribution to the Public Employees Retirement System by 3%, retroactive to last Aug. 1.

“This is terrific news for everyone,” said library Director Diana Moreno.

Union officials said they were pleased with the new contract, but still frustrated by the reduction in sick leave and personal holidays, and the elimination of overtime pay on Sundays.

“We feel this agreement is much better than the contract that was originally imposed on us and we are also pleased that the two new trustees are sympathetic to staff concerns,” said Susan Sarno, a reference librarian and union steward. “The present contract, however, does leave several things to be desired.”