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Memphis council sends library civil-service referendum to voters after worker testimony
Summary
The Memphis City Council approved a referendum to amend the city charter so many Memphis & Shelby County Public Library positions would be classified as civil service; supporters said authorization cards show roughly 70% support, while the city attorney said affected employees would likely need to reapply for newly created civil-service positions.
The Memphis City Council voted Feb. 24 to place a referendum before voters that would change the classification of many Memphis & Shelby County Public Library employees to civil service.
Councilman Jeff Smiley moved the ordinance (Ordinance No. 5966) onto the floor after organizers and library staff testified they had collected authorization cards showing about 70% support among non‑supervisory workers. "We have spoken to every single library worker...we have 70% of people who have signed authorization cards and want to have civil service," said an organizer who identified herself at the podium.
Longtime library employee Wayne Dowdy told the council he had worked in the system for more than…
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