Minutes of the Free Library Health & Safety Committee
March 26, 2002

Committee Members In Attendance: Joe Perry, Sondra Corry, Michelle Belluomini, Kevin Ivery, Lillian Randolph, Carolyn Hale, Carol Boardman, Hal Rosenberg, Dennis Taylor, Rich Somers, Bill Fleming, Kathy Black

Guest: Martha Repman

Joe Perry began the meeting with a review of the origins of this Committee as a regularly scheduled Labor/Management meeting between The Free Library of Philadelphia and Locals 696 (DC33), 2186 (DC47) and 2187 (DC47). DC33 and DC47 meet separately with the Library concerning non-health and safety issues.

Joe also outlined concerns that union leaders have raised with Library management about the Task Force that has been formed to discuss issues concerning security. This Task Force is not a Labor/Management meeting and is in conflict with Act 195 if the members are discussing terms and conditions of employment.

Joe then led a discussion regarding distribution of minutes from our Health and Safety meetings. Joe has been sending them out to all employees electronically, although not all employees are on the same e-mail system and therefore don’t get them. This is true for several of our own Committee members, who will now have the minutes faxed to them. Bill Fleming asked that a draft of the minutes be submitted first to Committee members for comments and corrections before they are distributed system wide. We agreed that Committee members should have five work days to submit changes to the minutes regarding topics which they have direct knowledge of, or spoke about at the meeting.

Joe then gave a brief description of an RGI project in the Library which has been set up to deal with issues of computer use by patrons. Joe is a member of this committee also. Hannah Baum is the mayor’s appointee to the project, and she plays an active mediating role. Issues they are discussing include sign-ups for computer time, staff policing patrons who are accessing pornography sites on the web, dealing with hostile, angry patrons over time constraints, etc.

NW Regional - Sondra and Kevin reported that the trash storage issue remains unresolved and John Cunningham of the Extensions Office continues to oppose placement of trash outside, in a dumpster, or a locked shed, or any other arrangement.

Library H&S Minutes -2- March 26, 2002

Carolyn Hale and Martha Repman reported that some changes were made to the staff locker room to alleviate the crowding. The portable stage was moved to the West Oak Lane branch. Beryl Evans is looking for a volunteer to replace the person who used to deal with the donated books that are stored in that room. The podium is needed in the room as it is used for time sheets. Four trash cans were provided by Matt Anderson, Guard Supervisor. Beryl Evans and Kevin Ivery did a major clean-up of the area.

Kevin agreed that these changes were improvements, but also reported that this meant that much of the trash was moved to the basement near the children’s room, or was put in the elevator machine room, which is a violation of L&I fire rules. Kevin also said that this just moved the smells to the basement, where they are still offensive.

Martha suggested that employees should be more conscientious about rinsing out food containers before they are placed in the trash, and that double bagging should reduce the odors. Carolyn Hale suggested the possibility of using a trash compactor and garbage disposal.

Union committee members continued to voice their opinion that secure, outside storage remains the best option for eliminating the crowding, the fire hazards, the odors, and the concerns about insects and rodents. Carolyn Hale reinforced her belief that Mr. Cunningham would not agree to any outside storage plan. She also said that no one but Sondra Corry and Kevin Ivery had ever voiced any complaints about this issue. It was pointed out that Sondra and Kevin are the people designated to represent their union coworkers at this committee. They both assured us that they were not just speaking for themselves, that the complaints were widespread throughout the workforce, and that they have the full support of the other union members to address this issue. Joe Perry also pointed out that we have been trying to deal with this issue as a committee since last July, per the meeting minutes, and that we have been very patient about waiting for an acceptable resolution.

It was then agreed that we should move on to other issues. Union representatives agreed to caucus after the meeting to discuss what other steps might be taken.

Welsh Road - The electrical project is underway, but probably not quite complete.

Guard Training - Dates have been set. Rich Somers said that a full, comprehensive curriculum will be offered over the long term.

Library H&S Minutes -3- March 26, 2002

Central Library Issues

Cafeteria - Bill Fleming reported that two vendors are interested, but they both want to review the catering opportunities that are available for Library functions before they submit proposals. The two vendors are Sidexo and Aramark. Bill pointed out that the facilities are not very up to date, and this is a concern for any prospective vendor.

Police Patrols - Employees have asked committee members to raise the possibility of asking the police to conduct routine walkthroughs at the Library as a deterrent to problem patrons. Michelle reported that several people had complained to her that security response is too slow when there is a problem. Sometimes it has taken as long as ten minutes for a Guard to come when summoned and in rare cases, no one has come at all. Sondra reported this is sometimes the case at NW Regional also, where the guards are frequently on meal breaks during the busiest times for the library.

Rich Somers said that responding to problems is the job of the security guard staff, and that he wishes to be notified of any response problems when they happen. He believes guards generally respond promptly, as it takes a very short time to move to any part of the library when they are summoned. He also said he did not believe the police would be willing to perform this function anyway, and there seemed to be general agreement with this among the committee members.

Bathroom Issues - Joe said that employees had requested that paper towels be ordered more promptly, that receptacles be filled more routinely, and that electric hand dryers be reinstalled. Bill Fleming will look into this.

Carol Boardman reported that one of the ladies’ restrooms had experienced sewage gas emissions and had been seriously clogged earlier today. She believed chemicals were used to treat the clog, which had created additional problems. Bill Fleming will check into this.

Are You Prepared? - This is a new publication issued by AFSCME International. Kevin Ivery distributed photocopies of the pamphlet, which deals with emergency evacuation procedures. Kathy Black reported she had ordered bound copies of the booklet for everyone, but had neglected to bring them with her. She will provide them to everyone at the next meeting.

The next meeting of the Committee is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 21, 2002, in the Directors’ Dining Room.