We had a union meeting of the library section. There were only 12 of us but many questions were asked and discussed. The hottest topic was the recent canceling of hours leaving enumerable substitutes without work.

This is something that has affected me as well, although I have a part-time permanent position. But the truth is that basic salary is not enough to support me. I really am questioning myself why I have stuck it out so long.

One of the subjects was the use of volunteers in the libraries and how slowly but surely they appear to be taking over our jobs. The point was made that regular staff are so overworked, with stafffing stretched so thin, that they welcome volunteers doing the work. It seems that they are more valued than we are.

The union reps said they could not grieve or complain for us if we did not tell them what was going on.

One very upsetting report was that the sub hours were cut because subs would not go where the most necessary jobs were, that the cuts were not finiancial but merely vindictive. Subs also reported that they were being chastised for not working more days and going futher than perhaps they wanted to. One person described how she had worked 17 days in a row and was talked into working one more.

This is a new thing. When I started this nonsense did not go on and it is shocking how messed up the thinking is. For instance, there are 12 unfilled Library Assistant positions in the county and who knows how many clerks and librarian jobs. Some libraries have not had a Children's Librarian for two years.

Obviously, if those positions were filled the substitute situation would be mostly solved. Some of the subs would be hired as permanent employees and the number of hours needing coverage would lesson

Of course, this doesn't solve the problem of why subs won't go to certain libraries and it is stupid of administration not to wonder. They seem, to me, to be living in a la-la land. It is too damn bad.