LSS Letters Sent to Library Assistants

CSUEU has sent letters to Library Assistants regarding the upcoming bargaining for the implementation of the Library Services Specialists (LSS) classification. The letters sent to non-members included a postscript inviting them to join the union. Here's the text of the letter:

Hello CSU Library Assistants/Library Services Specialists!

As you may already know, on January 24, 2008, the Public Employment Relations Board (PERB) ruled that the proposed classification of Library Services Specialist (LSS) should be placed in Bargaining Unit (BU) 9.

The next step is for CSUEU and CSU to negotiate over the impact of the placement of the LSS classification in BU 9. Typically, there is a three-step process involved with creation of a new classification or the revision of an existing classification:

• Develop classification standards - ACCOMPLISHED
• Seek approval of the Public Employment Relations Board for the placement of the new/revised classifications in the appropriate bargaining unit - ACCOMPLISHED
• Bargain with the CSU over the impact of the new/revised classifications – IN PROCESS

CSUEU has assembled a great Bargaining Team to carry your message: Pat Gantt, CSUEU President; Dennis Dillion, VP for Representation; Annel Martin, Chair of Unit 7; Rich McGee, Chair of Unit 9; Rocky Waters, Vice Chair of Unit 9; Joan Kennedy, LA III (SLO); Jennifer O’Neal-Watts, LA III (Sacramento); Joseph Corica, LA III (East Bay); Christine Thomas, LA IV (Pomona); and Chief Negotiator Teven Laxer (CSUEU staff). Our first meeting has been scheduled for May 6 & 7 2008, in Long Beach.

The CSUEU bargaining team will negotiate with the CSU over the impact of the new series. The issues to be negotiated include the salary ranges for the new LSS series and the placement of incumbent Library Assistants within those salary ranges. We are hopeful that salary adjustments will be negotiated to benefit ALL employees in this new classification. We believe our members deserve more than the status quo for this significant transition from BU 7 to BU 9.

We wanted you all to be informed as to the process that lies ahead of us this year. With this terrific Bargaining Team we have on hand, rest assured that your issues will be addressed confidently and efficiently.

Included with this letter is a list of FAQ’s that may answer some of your questions. If not, please contact one of the members of this spirited Bargaining Team!

In addition, we are compiling information on Library Assistant salaries in institutions comparable to the CSU. If you would like to help, send Chief Negotiator Teven Laxer: the name of the employer, the position advertised, the CSU equivalent, the advertised salary range, and date of the announcement. If any of you have contacts in outside libraries, and are able to get specific information on incumbents, try to find out how many Library Assistants are employed, by position, and what the salary ranges, average and median salaries are for each position. If you can think of other information we should be seeking prior to our May meeting, please let me know. Thanks in advance for your assistance.

Pat Gantt, CSUEU President
Joan Kennedy, Library Assistant III
Dennis Dillion, VP for Representation
Jennifer O’Neal-Watts, Library Assistant III
Annel Martin, Chair of Unit 7
Joseph Corica, Library Assistant III
Rich McGee, Chair of Unit 9
Christine Thomas, Library Assistant IV
Rocky Waters, Vice Chair of Unit 9
Teven Laxer, Chief Negotiator

A Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) list was included; see the link below for the full text.

Note: CSUEU does not receive automatic address updates from the CSU. If your address changes, you should notify CSUEU as well as CSU so you don't miss out on any exciting union mail. You can change your address online with CSUEU's change of address form, or by sending a letter to:
CSEA
1108 O Street
Sacramento, CA 95814
Attn: Membership

Links:

• LSS letter with FAQ list April 2008
• LSS letter April 2008 for members [Word format]
• LSS letter April 2008 for non-members [Word format]
• CSUEU membership form (CSUEU) [PDF]
• Comparison of membership dues and fair share fees (CSUEU) [Word format]
• Bargaining 101
• Classification Bargaining 101