Library of Congress Cafeteria Workers Targeted

Unionbusting at the Library of Congress (LOC) continues: this time against cafeteria workers. Less than a week after LOC members of the Professional Guild, AFSCME Local 2910 won a yearlong battle (Library Workers Win 1/22/08 UC) to protect workers rights and stop unionbusting, LOC cafeteria workers are now battling an anti-union contractor. I.L. Creations was hired this month to temporarily take over food service after the Library management privatized operations, but the contractor has refused to negotiate with workers, reported Emily Yehle in last week's Roll Call. "I.L. Creations has sent troubling signals by refusing to sit down with union officials," UNITE HERE Local 25 Executive Secretary-Treasurer John Boardman told Roll Call. The contractor - ignoring the workers' contract - also delayed health care coverage and unilaterally decided to change workers' pay schedules. "We feel like we are working in a concentration camp because of the way we are being treated,” says one cafeteria worker in a union flier that was passed out at the LOC earlier this month. I.L Creation's unionbusting stretches beyond the halls of the Library of Congress: Local 25 filed an Unfair Labor Practice against the company for refusing to sign a new contract for workers in another federal building, Yehle reported.