In New York City, a Chilly Library Has Its Rewards

In New York City, a Chilly Library Has Its Rewards
Under a little-known contract provision titled “Extreme Temperature Procedures,” unionized workers at branches of the New York Public Library can accrue compensatory time when the temperature inside dips below 68 degrees for a couple of hours. Similar clauses exist for libraries across the city.
[Thanks to Bruce for the pointer!]

January 12, 2010 by Uncategorized 2

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2 Responses

  1. Anonymous says:
    January 13, 2010 at 5:39 am

    Chilly library
    I guess it is impolitic to criticize unions, but does this do anything to change the internal environmental conditions in those libraries? I suppose if you’re a unionized worker, you can skip out and feel great about the fact that you get the afternoon off with pay, or pile up some leave time they have to let you take later. But I suppose that doesn’t do much for your non-unionized co-workers nor the poor patrons that have to use the library anyway regardless of the conditions. And wouldn’t ALL parties be better off if that money was spent on some heat instead of padding union pockets?

    Reply
  2. Anonymous says:
    January 13, 2010 at 2:26 pm

    Is that really an extreme temperature?
    I’m not opposed to requiring that temperatures be comfortable in a place where you’re stuck all day, but in the winter I don’t think that 66 or 67 is unreasonable. I *do* think it’s reasonable to expect people to dress for the season. Overheating buildings in the winter in a huge waste of money and energy.

    I also agree with the person who posts first that the needs of ALL workers and patrons should be taken into account, not just union employees.

    Reply

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