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Library workers, unions press Memphis City Council to preserve MOUs and reclassify library staff as civil service
Summary
Library employees, union leaders and dozens of supporters told the council they want Memphis Public Library workers reclassified as civil service and urged the council to defend city memorandums of understanding against mayoral legal action.
Dozens of library workers, union representatives and members of the public used the council’s public‑comment period on Sept. 23, 2025, to press elected officials to reclassify Memphis Public Library staff as civil service employees and to defend existing memorandums of understanding (MOUs) for city workers.
Speakers representing Memphis Public Libraries Workers United and several unions described the current appointed status of library employees as leaving staff vulnerable to political change. Heather Essel, who identified herself as a children’s librarian at Benjamin L. Hooks, said the change would “preserve our benefits and seniority” and asked the council to take steps that avoid a rehiring process. Volunteer and library advocates similarly asked the council to place reclassification and union requests on a committee agenda.
Union leaders at the meeting repeatedly warned against a mayoral lawsuit that they said could void decades of MOUs. Local union representatives including members of CWA Local 3806 and IUOE Local 369 asked council members to urge the mayor to withdraw any legal action that would invalidate existing agreements and to work with unions to restore trust and negotiate in good faith.
Several speakers tied the MOU and civil‑service concerns to broader city policy. Caroline Francisco and others argued that strong, stable public-sector jobs are the best way to support city services; LaMichael Wilson, speaking about a separate police-related grievance, urged policy changes at MPD to prevent unauthorized handling of victims’ devices and images. Multiple speakers asked council members to add reclassification and MOU protections to committee agendas for formal consideration.
Council members acknowledged the testimony; several union representatives said they wanted concrete council action and asked for meetings and agenda placement. No formal council resolution on reclassification was placed while public comment concluded; unions said they would continue to press for formal council and mayoral responses.
