Fort Lee Library Workers Win Wage Hike, Fight Against “Merit Increases” (10/29/07)

Recently, after almost a year of tense negotiations, 28 members of RWDSU Local 108 who serve as librarians, clerks and custodians at the Fort Lee Library Board in New Jersey ratified a new four-year contract. The contract guarantees workers close to 16 percent in wage hikes.

A major issue during negotiations was management’s attempt to give merit raises at their own discretion. The proposal was defeated during the negotiations as the bargaining committee, with the membership standing behind them, was united against it.

“The union’s position on merit increases is that management often uses them to show favoritism consequently, they hurt worker morale and can be used as a union-busting tactic. Often merit increases have no merit,” said Chief Steward Marilyn Fishkin.