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Library workers seek contract protections, wage parity and anti-discrimination clause as bargaining nears completion
Summary
Representatives of Anne Arundel Library Workers United asked the council on May 14 to support a strong anti-discrimination clause and wage parity in their imminent bargaining agreement, saying low wages and turnover are harming services and that the bargaining unit is now represented by AFSCME.
Sabrina Rosby, a library associate at the Severn branch, and Ryan Morris, an information-desk employee who said he earns $19 an hour after three years on the job, told the County Council on May 14 they are close to a contract with Anne Arundel County Public Library and asked for council support on remaining issues.
Rosby said one of the final and essential items in bargaining is a strong anti-discrimination clause that would affirm both union and management reject discrimination and provide a clear, fair process for addressing discrimination when it occurs. She said some coworkers "have experienced discrimination and found no clear recourse" and argued the clause is especially important as federal protections become less certain.
Ryan Morris asked the council to ensure library wage increases align with unionized county employees rather than the nonrepresented 3% COLA referenced by the library CEO earlier in the hearing. "Most of our bargaining unit is paid below living wage in Anne Arundel County," he said, adding that high turnover and understaffing directly reduce service levels. He noted the bargaining unit is now represented by AFSCME and requested comparable wage treatment to other unionized county employees.
Why it matters: bargaining affects day-to-day library operations, staffing stability and service levels across the county’s library branches. The speakers said that without fair wages and anti-discrimination protections, staffing shortages will continue to degrade services.
Next steps: speakers asked the council to support the bargaining unit’s remaining items as negotiations conclude and a contract is finalized.
Ending: The council heard the union representatives' testimony as part of the FY26 public hearing; contract ratification and any county-level budget implications will follow bargaining outcomes.
