Library cutbacks bring salary increases

While state workers and other government employees forego any pay increases this year because of the state’s poor economic condition, the unionized workers at the Timberland Regional Library System are getting more than a quarter of a million dollars in pay raises.

Library officials say these raises are the result of previously negotiated union contracts.

But, in order to pay for these salary increases, the library system has cutback on operating hours, laid off non-union staff members and cut back purchases of books and other equipment by more than $300,000. 

While other government union workers are sacrificing pay increases, union librarians and other union staff are seeing more money in their pay checks.  And, users of the library system are seeing a decline in service.

Doesn’t the union that represents library workers have any shame?