The Philomath Community Library is operating on a reduced and changing schedule after members of the union that represents most Corvallis city employees, including library workers, went on strike this week.
Members of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 2975 walked off the job Wednesday. The Philomath library is part of the Corvallis-Benton County Public Library system, which is operated by the city of Corvallis. The union represents nearly all library employees at every branch, with the exception of the library management team and one confidential administrative position.
Library Director Ashlee Chavez said all four library locations are being staffed by a mix of managers, nonrepresented staff, casual employees and union members who have continued to work. She said the city supports union members’ right to strike and would not comment on the status of individual employees.
“We are currently operating four locations and a delivery service with a limited number of staff at this time,” Chavez said. “Thank you in advance for your patience and flexibility as we do our best to balance delivering service across our community.”
The Philomath branch was open from 1-6 p.m. Wednesday and was scheduled to be open until 6 p.m. Friday. It will be open during its regular Saturday hours of 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and is expected to be closed Monday.
Going forward, Chavez said the library hopes to be open as many days as possible from 1-6 p.m. and to keep its 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday hours, but that will depend on staff capacity each day.
All library locations were closed Thursday for a staff in-service training day that had been planned for six months, Chavez said. The day also gives the library time to complete building maintenance projects. The training was canceled, but Chavez said reopening that day wasn’t feasible since no staff had been scheduled to work.
The library canceled two Philomath programs Wednesday morning, Philomath Storytime and Squishtivities. Lego Saturday will go on as scheduled from 11 a.m. to noon.
Next week’s Philomath calendar includes READ Dogs, Philomath Storytime, the Wednesday Noon Book Club, Adult Trivia Series 2 and Tween NERF Night. Chavez said some programs will need to be canceled or rescheduled while others will continue, and that the event calendar will be kept up to date.
The Philomath book drop remains open and returns are being checked in, though more slowly than usual, Chavez said. Holds are still moving between branches but also at a slower pace. Online services, including e-books, audiobooks and databases, are unaffected.
Library staff contacted everyone with a current meeting room rental to work out arrangements, Chavez said. The library is still taking reservations by email at LibraryMeetingRoomReservations@corvallisoregon.gov, by phone at 541-766-6987 or in person during open hours.
Patrons can check for updated hours on the library’s website and Facebook page or by calling 541-766-6793. Chavez said the library is trying to give as much advance notice as possible, but its capacity changes daily.
The city and the union have been working since January on a new contract covering about 246 represented employees across all city departments. The previous contract expired June 30. The union declared an impasse Sept. 1, a few days after a strike authorization vote. Chavez said the city is in contact with state mediators about scheduling future sessions.
In a statement issued Wednesday, the city of Corvallis said it was disappointed that the union had taken its members out on strike and that it believes its offer is fair and competitive.
The city’s proposed three-year agreement includes a 6% cost-of-living increase in the first year followed by 3% increases in each of the next two years, which the city valued at more than $8.4 million over the life of the contract. Those raises would come on top of six annual step increases of 5% for eligible employees.
The offer also addresses health insurance. Employees now pay 7% of their medical and dental insurance premiums. The city proposed raising that share to 10% in the final year of the contract, an increase of about $26 per month for a full-time employee. The city said the change would align the group with its fire and 911 unions and nonunion management staff.
The union has said it wants an agreement that preserves health benefits, provides living wages and allows the union to hold regular meetings with city management. Stephen Whitener, a member of the union’s bargaining team, told Oregon Public Broadcasting that many of the workers are part time and can’t afford to live in Corvallis because of housing costs. He said he hoped the strike would be “short and powerful and painful” so a contract could be reached quickly.
The negotiations come as the city faces a $20 million budget gap that it said in a Sept. 1 press release will affect core services as early as 2027. The Corvallis City Council is exploring new revenue options to close the gap.
