Living Wage Endorsed by ALA at 2008 Conference

"Resolution Endorsing a Living Wage for All Library Workers and a Minimum Wage for Professional Librarians."

– DPE Assistant to the President, Pamela Wilson, worked with ALA member Patricia Anderson, Library Director, Montville Township Public Library, and other members of the ALA-APA Standing Committee on the Salaries and Status of Library Workers, as well as AFL-CIO economist Christine Silvia-DeGennaro to develop this resolution, which was adopted by ALA-APA on June 30.

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ENDORSEMENT OF A LIVING WAGE FOR ALL LIBRARY EMPLOYEES AND A MINIMUM SALARY FOR PROFESSIONAL LIBRARIANS


Whereas, the American Library Association – Allied Professional Association (ALA-APA) council, at it January 2007 Midwinter Meeting, adopted a resolution entitled “Endorsement of a Nonbinding Minimum Salary for Professional Librarians;” and
Whereas, the resolution resulted in a nonbinding endorsement of a “minimum salary for professional librarians of not less than $40,000 per year; which, adjusted for inflation now amounts to $41,680, and
Whereas, the ALA-APA Standing Committee on the Salaries and Status of Library Workers is charged “to guide ALA-APA activities in support of better salaries, comparable worth, pay equity, and similar programs related to the status of librarians and other library workers;” and
Whereas, the aforementioned Standing Committee sees the need to strengthen ALA-ALA’s position with regard to wages and salaries for all library employees, and with regard to variable costs of living over time and across geographical locations; and
Whereas, a living wage is defined as “net” or “take home” pay earned during a full-time workweek, not to exceed forty (40) hours per week. A living wage provides for the basic needs (housing, energy, nutrition, clothing, healthcare, education, childcare, transportation, and savings) of an average family unit; and
Whereas, the family of four Federal poverty guideline for 2008 is $21,200, a recommended minimum hourly wage of $10.20 is necessary for a full-time, year-round worker to exceed the poverty guideline and sustain a basic living; and
Whereas, the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics publishes the All-Urban Consumer Price Index (CPI), the standard measure for inflation of goods and services, which is adjusted monthly to reflect price inflation; now, be it
Resolved, that the American Library Association-Allied Professional Association endorses a minimum entry-level salary for professional librarians of $41,680 that is adjusted annually, according to the latest cost of living index/CPI data; and, be it further
Resolved, that in recognition of the skills and competencies required of all library workers, the American Library Association-Allied Professional Association endorses a minimum wage for all library workers of at least $13.00 per hour, to be adjusted annually in relation to the Federal poverty guidelines.”