SRRT (Social Responsibilities Round Table)

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last person joined: 14 hours ago 

The Social Responsibilities Round Table works to make ALA more democratic and to establish progressive priorities not only for the Association, but also for the entire profession. Concern for human and economic rights was an important element in the founding of SRRT and remains an urgent concern today. SRRT believes that libraries and librarians must recognize and help solve social problems and inequities in order to carry out their mandate to work for the common good and bolster democracy.

Learn more about SRRT on the ALA website.

  • 1.  PLEASE SIGN PETITION--Library Denying Leave for Coworker with Stage 4 Cancer

    Posted Feb 06, 2025 10:28 AM

    Hello all, 

    The Boston Public Library management is denying that Eve, an employee who is suffering from stage 4 metastatic breast cancer, access to our union sick bank. Despite the fact that this falls clearly within the sick bank guidelines, that this would cost the library no money, and numerous attempts to speak with the administration, they are continuing to deny Eve the ability to get cancer treatment without losing the money she depends on for those treatments. 

    You can sign your name to the petition here.

    Many thanks,

    Malana

    BPL Research Services Librarian



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    Malana Krongelb
    Research Services Librarian
    Boston Public Library
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  • 2.  RE: PLEASE SIGN PETITION--Library Denying Leave for Coworker with Stage 4 Cancer

    Posted Feb 07, 2025 02:06 PM

    Why are they denying her? 



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    Caera Thornton
    NONE
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  • 3.  RE: PLEASE SIGN PETITION--Library Denying Leave for Coworker with Stage 4 Cancer

    Posted Feb 07, 2025 02:07 PM

    Signed. Hope she makes a full and fast recovery and get the help she needs in the interim. 



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    Caera Thornton
    NONE
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  • 4.  RE: PLEASE SIGN PETITION--Library Denying Leave for Coworker with Stage 4 Cancer

    Posted Feb 08, 2025 12:07 AM
    First of all, thank you to those that signed! To answer the question as to why they would deny someone with stage four cancer the ability to withdraw from a sick leave bank, that's something we all are asking. 

    Our union members can donate sick time for other members to use if a serious injury or illness occurs. After an initial 10 days, members can then request 30-day blocks of time from the sick bank. For 30 day withdrawals, members need to provide medical documentation to HR and the union, and both have to approve it. This is in our union's contract.

    The City/HR argued that because our contract did not 
    explicitly state that a member could pull from the sick bank for consecutive years to address a "lifelong condition," they considered it to be an inappropriate use of that time. Despite the fact that this costs them no money, they keep referring to it as an "undue burden" on the library. 

    Their denial is cruel, unnecessary, and ableist. They our treating our coworker and friend as disposable--this could cost her not only her livelihood, but her life. This is at the same time as the library is releasing a new strategic plan that says how much the library values its workers and upholds DEI principles. 

    Please, sign and share as much as you can. 

    -Malana







  • 5.  RE: PLEASE SIGN PETITION--Library Denying Leave for Coworker with Stage 4 Cancer

    Posted Feb 10, 2025 11:25 AM

    There has been some local news coverage of this disaster as well. My colleagues and I in Boston are drowning in shock and collective shame at this story. We're all trying to stay on top of it and advocate among our networks as much as we can. Please keep us posted and let us know if there are other actions we can take!



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    Mary Moser
    Engagement and Advancement Librarian
    University of Massachusetts Boston
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