New York Public Library Guild on CEO Pay

As posted at Blatant Berry Blog.

To the Editor of the New York Times

“New York Library Officials’ Pay? Shhh” (Nov. 19, 2006) reveals what we at Local 1930, the New York Public Library Guild, DC 37, AFSCME have always known: when it comes to compensation for the top officials at the New York Public Library, the sky’s the limit. However, when it comes to raises for our members, we are being nickeled and dimed to death. It’s an outrage.

It is insulting to discover the huge salaries management grants itself at
a time when our union is in stalled contract negotiations A 2% increase was due us as of August 1, 2006. Compare Dr. LeClerc’s total annual package worth $813,345 to the starting salary for librarians of $37,043 and entry level clerical positions of $21,666.

NYPL officials’ biggest talent appears to be giving themselves big raises with the complicity of a secretive Board. It is unclear if these compensation packages are funded publicly or privately.

Most branches and the Research Libraries are only open 5 days a week. NYPL management, very successful at getting more money for themselves, has failed to get more money for library services and library staff when the city has a surplus of over two billion dollars.

No wonder they’re keeping so quiet.

Sincerely,

Lynn Taylor,
President, Local 1930
New York Public Library Guild
District Council 37, American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees

(Local 1930 represents 1675 members that include clerical, technical
Paraprofessionals and Librarians.)