Library workers tell council management is backing away from negotiated 4% COLA; county staff say they do not negotiate library contracts

Employees of the Howard County Library System testified that the system's management is not honoring a negotiated contract provision for a 4% cost-of-living adjustment for FY26 and asked the county council to ensure funds are available to pay the agreed increases.

Gabriela Perez Pef1aloza, a customer service specialist at Miller Branch and a member of Howard County Library Workers United (AFSCME), told the council that the union ratified a contract including a 4% COLA and a 3% step increase for eligible members in FY26. "The 4% cost of living adjustment we negotiated isn't just a number. It's a lifeline that helps me and others like me to continue living and working in the community we love and serve," she said. Perez said library management later announced intent to fund only a 2% COLA and that the union had been told the county executive would not support the 4% increase.

Library workers also said they attempted to raise concerns during a systemwide professional development day and were prevented from speaking. Perez said the library CEO took the microphone from a union member and would not allow the union to address the assembled staff during the break.

Brook Mammo of the county budget office responded to testimony by clarifying the county's role: "The county provides funding to the library system, but we don't directly negotiate in any of their, you know, pay negotiations. We have no involvement." Mammo said she had seen an email referenced by testifiers but reiterated that the county does not directly negotiate the library's labor contracts.

No legislative action was taken at the public hearing on library funding. Testifiers urged the council to confirm that funds allocated to the library in the county budget will be sufficient to honor collectively bargained agreements that have been ratified by union membership and approved by the library board.