Mid-Continent Public Library Workers Vote Overwhelmingly to Join CWA, Forming Missouri's Largest Library Union

Nearly 700 library workers vote to join Communications Workers of America Local 6360 in Kansas City

Kansas City, Mo. - Workers at the Mid-Continent Public Library (MCPL) - one of the largest public library systems in the United States - have won their union election in a landslide, voting 436 to 164 to join the Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 6360. Their union election win comes amid a wave of library and public-sector organizing across the country and adds nearly 700 workers to CWA's growing public-sector membership.

"We are the heart and soul of the library," said MCPL Workers United-CWA Local 6360 member and MCPL Platte City Library Center Programming Associate Jennie Broyles. "With this victory, we will now have the rights, protections, and tools needed to provide our communities with the best library service in the country."

The Mid-Continent Public Library covers three counties across the Kansas City metropolitan area, serving more than 880,000 residents. The new bargaining unit represents nearly 700 part-time and full-time librarians, early literacy associates, information technology staff, delivery services staff, and other employees who keep the library system running.

"We love the work we do, but for too long, we have been left out of key decisions. This win means we finally have a real voice to build a fairer workplace," said MCPL Workers United-CWA Local 6360 member and MCPL Colbern Road Library Center CSA Jordan Noland. "An overwhelming majority like this leaves absolutely no room for doubt. I'm so incredibly proud of everyone for standing strong together, and we're ready to carry this exact energy to the bargaining table."

In March, workers gathered at the North Independence Branch to announce that more than 60% of union-eligible employees had signed a public declaration of support. Library workers say the union will give them a stronger voice in decisions that shape services, staffing, safety, and access across the system.

"From everyone that was there in the beginning four years ago to those that started supporting this week, we couldn't have done it without each and every one of us," said MCPL Workers United-CWA Local 6360 member and MCPL Green Hills Early Literacy Associate Kelli Mulligan Lindsey. "Together we can do anything, and together we can continue to make the library a place for everyone in our community."

MCPL Workers United-CWA Local 6360 will now work toward bargaining a first union contract. Workers say their priorities include addressing chronic understaffing, raising wages for the lowest-paid library staff, ensuring safety on the job, and making sure decisions at MCPL reflect the expertise of the people who serve the community every day.

"This is an incredible victory for MCPL workers, who demonstrated the power working-class people have when they unite to build real power on the job," said CWA District 6 Vice President Derrick Osobase. "This victory will inspire workers across our District as we organize to build the working-class movement so urgently needed to meet this moment in our country."

For union updates, follow MCPL Workers United-CWA Local 6360 on Instagram and Facebook.

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About CWA

The Communications Workers of America represents working people in telecommunications, customer service, media, airlines, health care, public service and education, manufacturing, tech, and other fields.

cwa-union.org @cwaunion