Resolution being considered at ALA Midwinter 2011

RESOLUTION ON NOTIFYING CONFERENCE AND MEETING ATTENDEES OF HOTELS NAMED ON “DO NOT PATRONIZE” LISTS

WHEREAS,   In 2009, about 25% of librarians were union members, about 24% of library technicians were union members, and about 19% of other education, training, and library workers were union members (Bureau of National Affairs, 2010 Union Membership and Earnings Data Book, Table 8a, Washington, DC);

WHEREAS,   The American Library Association (ALA) recognizes the right of library employees to organize and bargain collectively with their employers (ALA Policy 54.11, “Collective Bargaining”);

WHEREAS,   The ALA’s essential set of core values for its members include working for “The Public Good” and “Social Responsibility” (ALA Policy 40.1, “Core Values of Librarianship”);  

WHEREAS,   The fair treatment of workers and their families is a considerable public good and a social responsibility.

WHEREAS,   Workers at union establishments, including union hotels, are far more likely than their non-union counterparts to be paid a living wage, to receive employer-paid family medical benefits, and to enjoy freedom from work-related illness and injuries (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Union Members Summary, 2009; National Compensation Survey: Employee Benefits in the United States, March 2009, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, September 2009. Bulletin 2731);

WHEREAS,    Convention centers and hotels with labor disputes and picket lines would likely be disruptive settings for many ALA members, and could easily delay or prevent those members from participating in conventions and exhibitions, major meetings, and other organizational activities;

WHEREAS,   The First Amendment protects the right of an association and its members to support a union’s request for a boycott.  There are no statutes or case law that indicates the First Amendment does not protect the right of an association and its members to support a union’s request for a boycott;

WHEREAS,   National and local labor organizations maintain “Do Not Patronize” lists of hotels that are involved in labor disputes, and

WHEREAS,   Library employees who believe very strongly in the right of workers to organize, picket, and strike need advance notice of labor disputes so that they do not plan to attend ALA events at a hotel that is on a “Do Not Patronize” list; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED,  That the American Library Association Executive Director, to the extent known at the initial announcement of conference registration and prior to the conference taking place, will inform attendees of conferences and exhibitions if a hotel is on the “Do Not Patronize” list of the local labor body during an ALA event, or is the object of a boycott because of the unfair labor practices of the hotel.

Co-sponsors: AFL-CIO/ALA Joint Committee on Library Service to Labor Groups

Endorsed in principle:

Mover: Carrie Gardner

Seconders: Jacqueline Rafferty

12-16-10 2:20 CST version