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Jeffco library employee urges board to press administration on stalled collective bargaining and pay disparities
Summary
A Jefferson County Public Library employee told commissioners that collective bargaining has been slow, that some tentative agreements are pending and that library salary and reserve figures raise questions for staff and community members.
Christine Katramatis, a Jefferson County Public Library employee and union representative, told the Jefferson County Board of County Commissioners on Feb. 4 that bargaining between library staff and administration remains incomplete and that staff concerns about pay equity and transparency persist.
Katramatis, who identified herself as a library worker of 14 years, said bargaining has reached three tentative agreements but that 22 of 27 proposed articles submitted in July remain unresolved. “These stall tactics are frustrating,” she said, and added that negotiators must do a better job preparing documents and meeting regularly.
Katramatis questioned library compensation and reserves. She told the board that the highest paid library employee has a base salary “of over $198,000” and that the library has “over $62,000,000 in reserve.” She asked why the top salary is budgeted at “over $350,000” (as stated in her remarks) while lower‑paid workers “were just denied 150 pennies.” Katramatis urged the board to provide answers to library workers and the community about pay levels and safe staffing.
Commissioners acknowledged the concerns and said they would take note of the testimony. The board did not take any formal action or direct staff to intervene in collective bargaining during the meeting.
Ending: The union representative urged more frequent bargaining sessions and greater administrative preparation; commissioners listened but did not issue directives in open session.
