Hello. My name is Rich Robinson and I'm president of the Dayton Metro Library Staff Association. It is in that role that I address you today.
In today's Dayton Daily News, Lynn Hulsey ran an article that contained the following line: "Library patrons are likely to continue to see fewer employees working as the Dayton library uses furloughs to reduce costs."
I was disappointed to see this line in the article, particularly as it was stated as a fait accompli.
Very soon, we are sitting down to negotiate financial aspects of the third year of our contract. We would appreciate it if, as an act of good faith, the library would refrain from making press statements about issues that must be negotiated.
This union has been very generous to the library. Our members' salaries are between 3% and 6% lower than what you agreed to pay us just two years ago. For us to give such consideration at a time when the library was holding over $11 million in liquid cash is unprecedented, but was called for due to circumstances.
Moving forward, circumstances have changed. I expect and request that our joint response to the new circumstances be determined at the negotiating table, and not unilaterally announced in the press.
Thank you for your attention.
NOTE: It is exceptionally rare for this to happen, but this statement garnered immediate feedback from the board. Mr. Turner indicated that the board agreed on some levels with the statement and that Mr. Kambitsch was speaking on his own behalf, not representing the board.
Mr. Kambitsch also provided feedback and indicated that his statement referred to ongoing furloughs, not to new ones. Any future issues will be resolved at the table, he indicated.
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