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Salt Lake City Public Library Collective Bargaining Agreement 

The Council is considering a collective bargaining agreement between the Salt Lake City Public Library and the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local #1004.

What is Being Discussed  

The Library and AFSCME Local #1004 have reached an agreement about pay, benefits, and working conditions for eligible Library employees. This type of agreement is called a collective bargaining agreement. 

What Is a Collective Bargaining Agreement? 

A collective bargaining agreement is a written agreement between an employer and eligible employees (represented by a union). It explains things like: 

• How much employees are paid. 
• When pay increases happen. 
• What benefits employees receive. 

This agreement was discussed and agreed on by the Library and AFSCME Local #1004 before it was approved by the Library Board during its Dec. 15, 2025 meeting. 

What is the City Council’s Role 

The Salt Lake City Public Library operates separately from Salt Lake City departments and has its own Board of Directors. The Library Board sets policies for how the Library runs. 

The City Council’s role is to: 

• Review and approve the Library’s overall budget and set the Library’s tax rate 

In 2025, the Council approved a resolution that establishes the rules and process for collective bargaining between the Library and eligible Library employees. It also makes clear that any agreement would only take effect if the Council votes to approve it and sets aside the required funding in the Library’s annual budget. 

Budget and Tax Impact 

The Library has shared that: 

• Approving this agreement would not require a tax increase in the next fiscal year (Fiscal Year 2026-27). 
• The pay increases and benefits in this agreement can be paid for using the Library’s existing budget and expected future budget. 

Who the Union Represents 

AFSCME Local #1004 represents eligible Library employees as a separate group from other City employees.  

Important points: 

• Part-time employees are eligible for representation because a significant portion of Library employees work part-time. 
• Employees in management or supervisory roles are not eligible for representation. 

Timeline 

• January 20, 2026: The Council received an informational briefing. Watch the meeting video  
• February 3, 2026: The Council is scheduled to vote on whether to approve the agreement. 

What’s Included in the Agreement 

Pay and Pay Increases:  

The agreement outlines employee pay: 

• Starting July 1, 2026: Employees would move to a new hourly pay scale. 
• Each August in 2026, 2027, and 2028: The entire pay scale would increase by 3%. 

This means employees would see predictable, scheduled pay increases over time. 

Extra Pay Opportunities: 

Some employees may earn extra pay in certain situations, including: 

• Filling in for a supervisor or manager for several days in a row 
• Using another language at work, especially Spanish 
• Being called back to work outside normal hours 

Benefits: 

The agreement also covers benefits, such as: 

• Tuition help: Up to $5,250 per year for eligible full-time and part-time employees 
• Health-related benefits: 
• Full-time employees continue to receive health, dental, and vision insurance. 
• Part-time employees would be eligible for a telehealth program, paid for by the Library. 

How Long Would This Agreement Last? 

If approved, the agreement would be in place through June 30, 2029. 

Learn More 

You can review the full documents related to this item, including: 

• View the Transmittal 
• Read the Council Staff Report 
• Visit the Library’s Website 
• View the Tentative Agreements