Milwaukee commission approves most of library layoff plan, holds one reassignment over seniority dispute

President Frank Bach and commissioners approved the bulk of a Milwaukee Public Library circulation layoff plan on Dec. 16 but paused one reassignment after a prolonged debate over whether the plan properly applies an "efficiency" exception to seniority-based layoffs.

The commission voted to approve the parts of the plan that eliminate 10 central-library circulation service representative positions (with vacancies and reassignments moving affected staff to branch vacancies) and to approve the department’s recommendation that no new probationary period be required for a promoted circulation services supervisor. The board approved those components while holding the proposed reassignment of a circulation service representative lead for further review.

The disagreement centered on the library’s use of an "efficiency" justification to place Heather McSorley, who is not the least-senior employee in her classification, into a vacant central-library communication assistant role rather than following the commission’s usual seniority procedures. President Frank Bach said he had "a problem" with that item and cited rule 13, section 1, which requires a department to demonstrate that efficiency — rather than seniority — is the proper basis for bypassing more-senior employees.

"This is a layoff plan. Our rules provide for layoffs by seniority," President Bach said, adding that while he found the plan "well thought out," he did not see a showing that efficiency, as invoked here, satisfies the rule for that final reassignment. He asked that the library and staff provide additional justification and suggested an emergency meeting if needed.

Jessica Wolf, the library’s personnel officer, told the commission the library had conducted interviews because it is "beginning a multi-year staffing realignment" and must staff a critical security-coordination role that on weekends can be "the sole person responsible for coordinating any type of response to [a] security instance." Wolf said the position’s "critical nature" and the lack of volunteers led the department to prioritize demonstrated skills from interviews over strict seniority.

Deputy Director Jennifer Meyer Stearns said the reorganization aims to better serve patrons and address an "escalation of security incidents," and that the chosen candidate’s interview performance indicated the best fit.

Commissioner discussion split along caution and practicality. Commissioner Smith proposed allowing a broader, non‑precedent‑setting interpretation of efficiency to approve the plan; Attorney McLean warned that any vote would create precedent and recommended referring the matter to staff and the city attorney’s office for formal guidance while making a decision based on available information.

After debate and procedural clarification, the commission approved the portions of the layoff plan covering the circulation service representative positions and the supervisor position — covering 11 of the 12 positions affected — and deferred the single lead reassignment for further review by staff and counsel. President Bach directed staff to consult with Attorney McLean and to consider outreach to the affected employee to determine whether a voluntary transfer or other resolution is possible before a final decision.

The commission’s action leaves the library able to proceed with most of its staffing changes while preserving the board’s ability to require additional documentation or legal analysis on the single contested reassignment. The library’s layoff actions are scheduled to take effect Jan. 2, 2026, and the commission asked staff to return with clarifying criteria or legal guidance if needed.