Happy Labor Day, Library Workers!

Jason Allen

Labor Day isn’t just a great time to buy a new household appliance because of killer deals, it’s also an opportunity to reflect and honor those workers who fought for the rights that we see as bog standard today. Fair wages, safe workplaces, and even the right to form a labor union are all treated as normal expectations in 2026, but they all came about because workers organized, spoke up, and supported one another.

The mission of those workers who rejected complacency and took action is carried on and advanced every day by our own library staff. At a time when libraries across the country are faced with chronic understaffing, wages that don’t keep up with inflation, and attacks on the very idea of libraries themselves, our membership remains committed to fighting for the safety, respect, and staffing levels that our communities deserve.

The labor movement isn’t just something from the late 19th Century. It’s something that we are all a part of. Happy Labor Day to everyone who makes libraries possible through both their skilled labor and their commitment to solidarity!

Hope to see you at the next scheduled Listening Session next Monday, September 14, 2026 at 7:15 PM. It’s open to all 1857 members. The Zoom link was sent to your personal email from C2everett with the subject “Local 1857 Missive for August 28, 2026.” If you cannot find the link please contact eboard@kclsvoice.org.

Attend the Council 2 Presidents Conference

Jason Allen

The Council 2 Presidents Conference is just around the corner! And in spite of the name, this conference is not just open to our union president, but to all members in good standing. It’s a great place to connect to other union members from across the state and learn more about how your union functions.

This year’s event takes place in Tacoma at the Hotel Murano on October 9-11, and the last day to register is coming up quickly on September 18th. Check out the event details for more information!

A final agenda for the conference has not yet been released, but these events traditionally have a welcoming ceremony on the evening of the first day, while the second day is filled with conferences and training opportunities. The Council 2 executive board meeting will be held on the final day.

At the General Membership Meeting, the board authorized to pay for up to ten people to attend. This is a conference that must be attended on your own time, so once you are able to get the time off work, contact Local 1857’s board to make sure there is still a spot available before registering.

Reach out to us at eboard@kclsvoice.org with any questions!

The registration deadline is September 18th!

Shop Steward Volunteers Needed

Victoria

Shop Stewards provide a vital link between members and the Eboard. They are someone that works at the same branches as you all do and is a familiar face to talk to if there are concerns. They can then share what’s going on to the Eboard and take responses back to the members. Shop Stewards can also do union outreach/orientations and attend meetings with members as needed. 

Right now all regions have at least one Shop Steward, but ideally we would have a Shop Steward at every branch! Do you ever feel like nobody at your branch knows what’s going on with our union? Please consider volunteering to be the person who can be that connection between your branches and our union. To volunteer or ask questions, email the Vice President at chiefstewardlocal1857@gmail.com.