Enough is Enough at OC Public Libraries

Dear OCEA member,

In the past decade, library service has changed. These changes were accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic and are seen daily in library branches across Orange County. An increase in unhoused people, drug use, and other societal hardships have created an untenable work situation for Orange County Public Library (OCPL) staff.

To address these issues and make improvements, OCEA member-leaders stood together to make change. This resulted in the formation of a Labor Management Committee (LMC). The LMC was intended to be a space where OCEA members and management could come together to mutually address issues facing workers in OCPL.

After meeting for over a year—and countless attempts to make change—the LMC and OCEA staff have concluded we must escalate our issues beyond the LMC and Agency Management.

Simply put? Enough is Enough.

Members of the OCPL LMC (Courtney Kesinger, Andres Garcia, Jesse Lopez, and Amber Zuniga) and OCEA staff (Alisha Greene, Louis Gurrola, Tim Steed) met with Board of Supervisors staff from Supervisor Foley’s office Aug. 8 to address the issues facing OCPL workers and asked for change. 

We asked for improvements around Safety, Transfers and Staffing.

Safety: We briefed the office on the multiple incidents of violence against staff and other incidents that jeopardize the safety of OCPL workers. Despite superficial efforts, we explained that the Agency still has not taken the necessary steps to ensure the safety of OCPL staff. Andres spoke of his own personal experiences being assaulted while Jesse and Amber talked about the threats they face at the Garden Grove branches daily. We asked the County to deploy OCSD Sheriff Special Officers to problem branches, and to properly staff ALL branches.

Rotations: We know workers are more effective when they have additional flexibility and choices at work. We briefed the Supervisors office on the inconsistencies facing OCPL workers as it relates to worker preference and “business need.” We asked for rotation practices that are transparent and more employee friendly.

Staffing: The uncertainty around the Irvine Branches is not an excuse to ignore staffing needs. Though we have received assurances from the City of Irvine and County of Orange that workers will be the top priority in the Irvine transition, we know staffing needs to be addressed outside of this issue. We asked the agency to release a portion of the vacancies they are holding open to address the safety and operational issues OCPL workers are facing related to insufficient staffing levels.

These meetings are just beginning. In the coming weeks, we will conduct educational meetings with all five Board of Supervisors offices. Safety for public servants is a moral and ethical responsibility. We will continue to advocate until that is a matter of fact.

In Solidarity,

OCEA

Publication Date: August 15, 2024