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Uncertainty looms as librarians appeal layoff decision
The Advocate
While students celebrate the end of the year and faculty celebrate the resolution of the year-long contract negotiations, the three full-time faculty librarians are not so chipper.
As of July 1, they will no longer have a job, as layoff notices issued at the beginning of April are honored.
The three faculty librarians are Anna Johnson (who has been at MHCC for six years), Julia Longbrake (nine years) and Teresa Hazen (11 years). The library also has four part-time librarians.
“A lot of people think that when the contract negotiations were settled, the notices went away,” said Johnson.
Layoff notices were given to seven faculty members, including all three faculty librarians, on April 1. The notices were one in a series of actions by the administration in order to close what is projected to be over a $5 million budget shortfall.
Of the seven faculty members who received notices, four are being laid off, one is retiring at the end of spring term, and two are being reassigned.
Sue Boulden, medical assisting program director, is the fourth faculty member being laid off.
“It’s so personally difficult,” said Hazen.
Asked if they (the librarians) were taking any action in response to the layoff notices, Hazen said, “We’re limited to a narrow grievance procedure.”
The librarians began a grievance procedure April 4. They are waiting for MHCC President John Sygielski to review it, which should take place next week, Johnson said. If action is not taken at that step, the librarians and the administration will make their case to an outside arbitrator, who will ultimately make a decision.
MHCC Faculty Association President Sara Williams has said that the librarians being laid off is of great concern to the faculty. Some in the faculty view it as the next big point of contention, following the resolution of the full-time contract.
There has been concern with whether the layoffs are actually due to budget cuts.
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