Rockford library workers say officials have 'failed' to deliver safety training

Frustrated Rockford Public Library workers who have worked under an expired contract since December are talking about the possibility of a strike.

Not only are the workers unhappy with a lack of progress on issues related to pay and benefits, union leaders say that Rockford library officials have not moved quickly enough on their demands for additional safety training. And workers say their request to put a joint health and safety committee in their contract was rejected, said Sara Dorner, staff representative for AFSCME Council 31.

"Unfortunately, there are a lot of people who come in off the street, come into the library and the library staff are tasked with handling so many situations that are not in their wheelhouse," Dorner said. "We've been telling library administration for years that we're not prepared for this, which is why we brought it to the bargaining table.

Dorner said that despite asking for specific trainings, library administration has "failed to provide them."

AFSCME Local 3350 represents about about 50 Rockford Public Library employees. Discussion of a strike is being raised as contract talks have dragged on since November, Dorner said.

What training are library workers asking for?

Library workers want the library to provide "Code Adam" training, a missing child safety protocol; active shooter training; training on how to operate automated external defibrillators; naloxone or Narcan administration; what to do if there is a bomb threat; conflict de-escalation especially for someone suffering a mental health crisis; fire safety and evacuation; tornado watch and warning protocols; and basic first aid.

What is the Rockford Library Board's position?

Rockford Library Board President Paul Logli said administration has not indicated any final position on requests for additional safety training and that the issues remains under discussion. Logli said some negotiation stances are the kind of posturing that are part of any contract's bargaining.

"I don't think there is any significant opposition to engaging in that type of training," Logli said. "Without getting into detail, the discussions are on-going and I am hopeful and expect they will be resolved to everybody's satisfaction."

Do library workers have access to AEDs?

Dorner said that there are AEDs located in Rockford Public Libraries, but staff have not necessarily been trained on how to use them. She was told that recently during an emergency, staff had to wait for the head of maintenance to arrive because he was the only person who was trained to utilize the equipment.

What about naloxone?

Naloxone, often known by the brand name Narcan, is an opioid antagonist most commonly administered as a nasal spray. It reverses and blocks the effects of other opioids to quickly restore normal breathing in someone who has overdosed. It has no effect on someone who has not taken opioids, according to information from the National Institute on Drug Abuse. Library workers said that administration had resisted requests for years for training and that on March 10 a group of union members obtained free training and Naloxone kits from the Winnebago County Health Department on their own time.

Why do workers want a committee?

Youth Services Department librarian Amy Pfeifer told Library Board members that the pandemic laid bare the need for a joint health and safety committee. She said they could work together to organize training, keep staff informed about the latest emergency procedures and tackle issues that come up.

"This is especially significant now that many RPL staffers will be in a new, larger replacement library," Pfeifer said. "We care about our fellow employees and customers, and we want to work with management to make RPL as safe as it can be."

Jeff Kolkey writes about government, economic development and other issues for the Rockford Register Star. He can be reached at (815) 987-1374, via email at jkolkey@rrstar.com and on X @jeffkolkey.

This article originally appeared on Rockford Register Star: Frustrated Rockford library workers want more safety training