DBRL Board returns contract to union, asks for amendment on wages

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Daniel Boone Regional Library Board of Trustees requested an amendment to its proposed contract with union workers on Thursday, according to an email from a DBRL spokesperson.

The Board had requested an amendment to the section of the contract regarding wages. The amendment requested by the Board would allow annual renegotiation if the library’s tax income does not meet an annual growth threshold, the email states.

A previous release from the DBRL stated a tentative agreement was reached Nov. 29. The release stated the "contract increases the library’s cost-share for health insurance and provides staff with guaranteed annual raises of 5%, after placement on a new salary scale based on current labor market analysis and years of experience."

“The board has thoroughly reviewed the proposed contract and evaluated the impact it will have on the library’s budget. We believe that it is in the best interest of the library and the taxpayers in Boone in Callaway counties for the bargaining teams to further negotiate the compensation section of the contract. The board does not feel comfortable committing to 5% raises in 2025 and 2026 without knowing the amount of anticipated tax revenue,” DBRL Board President Nate Suttenfield said in the email.

The email states if the union approves the amended article, the contract will become effective Jan. 1 and will be in place for three years.

DBDRL Workers United AFSCME Local 3311 responded to the vote on Twitter.

"Well, it seems like the board has finally decided to take an active role in bargaining after over a year. Three problem is that they decided to add regressive language to the contract at the board meeting tonight bargaining away from the table," the union wrote. "This behavior is completely unacceptable and shows that after all this time they have no idea how bargaining a union contact works. No worries tho. They will be hearing from us. "

@dbrl Well, it seems like the board has finally decided to take an active role in bargaining after over a year. Three problem is that they decided to add regressive language to the contract at the board meeting tonight bargaining away from the table. 1/x

— DBRL Workers United - AFSCME Local 3311 (@dbrlworkers) December 15, 2023

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