SCLWU open letter for support receives more than 500 signatures

On June 26, SCLWU sent out a call to action asking the public to sign a letter of support, as Smith College management asserted their refusal to release raises to members and recognize four eligible unit workers, in addition to filing two unfair labor practice charges against the union.

In two weeks, the union has received more than 500 signatures from Smith faculty, staff, students and alums, as well as signatures from other unions and a wide breadth of supporters across communities.

SCLWU received messages of solidarity from alums shocked and disappointed by Smith’s approach to bargaining; students demanding management respond in ways that reflect the college’s mission; and fellow unions recognizing all-too-familiar tactics used at the bargaining table.

What has come through most in the responses, though, is the universal agreement that the Libraries depend on SCLWU members to thrive, and the college depends on the Libraries — without us, the heart of Smith College does not beat!

On July 11, before the third bargaining session with management, the SCLWU bargaining committee delivered these signatures and messages of support to President Sarah's office.

Below are just a few of the supportive messages SCLWU has received. Keep the signatures coming and tell Smith to release our raises, recognize our members, and bargain in good faith!

“I am one of the 28+ staff members who have left the Smith College Libraries since 2022. I live in Northampton, I care deeply about the mission of Smith College, and I had hoped to spend many more years working in the SCL. However, because of all of the workplace issues so effectively articulated by the SCLWU, I found it untenable to stay. The constant churn in staffing and the prolonged vacancies in the Smith College Libraries impact not just the staff, students and faculty there, but also those at the other Five Colleges, in ways that are tangible and obvious. I sincerely hope that you will come around to working with the SCLWU to co-create a more sustainable and functional workplace for the remarkable staff who remain there.”

“As a current librarian who only found my way to this career path with the dedication, enthusiasm, and support from two Smith College librarians, I am appalled to see the College dismiss and repress the unity of the campus’ library workers who are calling for recognition of their rights as workers, as people, and as a crucial body of librarians dedicated to the advancement of the college’s purported goals. As an alum, I refuse to support Smith College financially through donations until it has accepted the terms set forth by SCLWU.”

“I am a proud Smithie who is now a proud union member and librarian in a major city. I support the SCLWU wholeheartedly because I wouldn’t be who I am today without Neilson Library. It provided learning, collaboration, and solace when needed. A library cannot serve its purpose without its people. While the focus is most often on library users, the magic can only happen with its workers.”

“It is shameful that Smith Administration takes such a strong anti-union stance. It goes against everything I learned there. Do they not believe what they teach us? Why is there such a cultural chasm between Administration and the student body + alums + faculty + staff? Shameful, shameful!”

“The library staff are the most valuable asset of any library. Smith College needs to invest in their library staff and support their pursuits for a better workplace.”

“It's frankly appalling that Smith’s administration has been actively hostile to both nascent unions and existing ones on campus. It doesn’t take a smithie mind to know that an institution can’t function without its employees, which makes Smith’s refusal to treat employees and unions with even a basic standard of decency even more untenable. I urge Smith at an administrative level to treat their unions with respect and negotiate in good faith. It’s really the least we can do as an institution to treat the people who enable our education well. I cherish the libraries and their employees, and I know that my fellow smithies feel the same.”

“I was a full-time staff member at Neilson right after graduation. My brief time in that position made me realize how vital the libraries of Smith are, and how hard-working and deserving of fairness the staff members are.”

“Smith HR and the legal team run Smith like a corporation, all of us staff can feel it. Our literal human resources – in this case, the service the librarians provide this institution of higher learning – are invaluable, but instead every single cost-saving, labor cutting measure is instituted at every turn. The Smith administration needs to show up to the bargaining table with the union in good faith, so that the so called ‘equity’ that matters so much to the student experience can be extended to staff – the rest of us are watching!”

“The library is essential to the function of the college and it is the workers who keep it running! My job would be impossible without their labor. I am appalled to see the disrespect with which the college is treating my fellow workers. Drop the charges, recognize all members of the union, and come to the bargaining table in good faith.”

“You can’t have a successful institution if you do not respect and care for your workers! The quality of the library (that they just spent 4 years renovating) is in the workers and how they make the space accessible and usable for all members of the community.”

“Library workers are the backbone of academic and intellectual success at Smith College, as well as in the greater learning community. Failure to recognize their right to unionize for fair, equal working conditions is in direct violation of Smith College’s guiding principles as an institution.”

“SCLWU members have answered my questions about the most esoteric subjects, have been the backbone of my developing research skills, and have shown me the most fascinating and delightful of archival materials. They’re professor-level important in the history of my own learning; my thesis would not exist without them. This is just one example in a series of disgraceful attempts to devalue those who make our college run. SCLWU members deserve respect and good pay at a minimum. Shame on you, Smith, for preventing them from having those needs met or organizing for that to happen. This is a great way to ensure that I won’t donate money or resources as an alum and will advise fellow Smithies not to as well.”

“I’m in a union, it’s been the single most impactful thing for my career and financial life. Being anti union is anti poor, anti-Black, anti-Indigenous, ableist and racist. If Smith keeps engaging in anti union behavior I will never give a single dime to the college and I will try my hardest to convince any Alum I speak to, to do the same. Wake up and realize being anti-union makes you the villain in the story.”

“Please keep our Smith spirit and our libraries and unique archives alive and well by supporting the union! Reviving the library architecturally is only a piece of the puzzle; for the libraries to work well and with human intelligence and efficiency, it is necessary to support the workers who know and operate these key elements of campus life.”

“I am so pleased to see organizing efforts come out of the library. The library workers at Smith were so valuable to me as a student and a person, inspiring me to pursue a career in librarianship myself. I implore Smith administration to support library staff and their efforts to organize.”