Library workers are continuing their fight for civil service protections as Memphis City Council members prepare to take action on a civil service referendum.
Memphis Public Libraries-Workers United (MPL-WU) will gather in front of City Hall on Tuesday, January 27 at 3 p.m. to garner support for a “yes vote” on placing a civil service referendum on the 2026 ballot.
Representatives from MPL-WU will be joined by members of the Memphis chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, the National Black Workers Center, Memphis-Midsouth Democratic Socialists of America, and more.
The decision would allow residents to decide if library workers should have civil service protections. As of now, library workers are considered political appointees.
According to Communications Workers of America (CWA), this leaves “more than 200 library staff” without workplace protections that other city employees have.
City of Memphis Library Workers called for a union election with CWA in September.
“By shifting to civil service status, workers would gain critical safeguards: transparency in hiring and firing, stronger grievance procedures, and the right to collectively bargain for fair wages and working conditions,” CWA said in a statement.
In order for library workers to procure collective bargaining rights, a 1984 executive order would need to be amended to include appointed employees — which they are asking Mayor Paul Young to do.
“Library workers are some of the only city employees in Memphis without civil service protections, leaving them at risk for politically-motivated changes to their employment and workplace, with poor benefits and lower wages than peers,” MPL-WU said in a statement.
Heather Issel, a children’s librarian at Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library says they continually see how important libraries are to the community. However, without civil service protections, library workers are subject to “instability and uncertainty” in their life planning.
“These basic workplace protections are long overdue,” Issel said. “We deserve the same rights as other city employees, including the right to organize, so we can focus on serving Memphis rather than worrying about job security or paying our bills.”
Issel said the vote doesn’t just affect library workers, but the stability of libraries for Memphis residents.
According to MPL-WU, library workers sent over 2,000 letters to city council members and Mayor Paul long, while also canvassing the city. They said they’ve garnered support and allies from labor and community groups.
In a show of support, 10 city council members are co-sponsoring the civil service referendum ordinance, including Councilman JB Smiley, who introduced the ordinance. Other supporting members include J. Ford Canale, Yolanda Cooper-Sutton, Michalyn Easter-Thomas, Edmund Ford, Sr., Jerri Green, Philip Spinosa, Jana Swearengen-Washington, Pearl Eva Walker, and Jeff Warren.
Community members have continually voiced their support of library workers as they work to secure civil service protections. They have also asked the city to oppose recent policies that have affected library operations.
In October, community members expressed concerns over empty book displays at library locations across the city. It was later discovered that book displays were subject to a new approval process implemented by the city.
Shortly afterward, the city released a statement on the matter. The Flyer obtained emails and audio recordings that showed that executive orders from the state and federal administrations affected Memphis Public Library operations and book displays out of concern for losing federal financial backing.