AFSCME Local 3758

Representing the employees of Timberland Regional Library.

  • Library Workers Win Major Reversal of Timberland Regional Library Layoffs

    After sustained pressure, library leadership rescinds over 80% of involuntary layoffs; union calls for levy lid lift to prevent future cuts.

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 4/15/2026

    MEDIA CONTACT: Beth Gawne, (425) 312-4201

    Tumwater, WA —  AFSCME Local 3758B, the union representing most Timberland Regional Library (TRL) workers, announces that on Wednesday, April 15th, 2026, TRL leadership agreed to rescind over 80% of involuntary layoff notices sent to frontline library workers in March. This outcome reflects the strength of union workers in rallying public support for library services. We thank everyone—union members, library patrons, and community members —who spoke out and stood with us during this difficult period. 

    Of the 61 previously-announced frontline workers being laid off, 17 employees who chose a voluntary layoff option will still be leaving employment with the TRL system by April 30th. Of the remaining 44 involuntary layoff notices sent out March 15th, 36 layoff notices to frontline workers have now been rescinded. This is an unprecedented concession to the ongoing community outcry about the severe impact these layoffs would have to local library services.

    Eight branch library assistants, most in their first 6 months of probationary employment, will still be laid off on May 15th.

    While this step represents meaningful progress, significant challenges facing the TRL library system remain. Local 3758B calls for a levy lid lift. We recognize how much our communities depend on a stable, well-funded library system. Sustainable public funding through a levy lid lift vote is critical to maintaining staffing levels, preserving access, and meeting the growing needs of our communities. 

    At the same time, Local 3758B continues to demand leadership accountability for the lack of accurate, timely, and complete budget forecasting that led  to the current financial crisis. When TRL asks for support via a levy lid lift, the public must know the library has the leadership necessary to sustain essential services over the long term. We call on the TRL Board of Trustees to ensure that concrete steps for accountability are met to ensure a successful levy lid lift for TRL. 

    Local 3758B library workers remain committed to advocating for safe working conditions, fair labor practices, a meaningful voice in decision-making, and a strong, financially transparent, well-funded public library system for all.

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  • TRL library workers union sets the record straight on furloughs

    Tumwater, WA — Nearly 40% of Timberland Regional Library’s frontline branch staff will be gone by May 15th due to layoffs. Recently, TRL’s Executive Director said in a public meeting of 300 attendees that the Local 3758 union is not interested in furloughs for TRL employees. We want to be clear: the Local 3758 union is interested in any solutions that will save jobs, including furloughs. Our bargaining position has never been against furloughs for workers and we would welcome the opportunity to come back to the table and discuss this with TRL. 

    Fundamental disagreements exist over the interpretation of the collective bargaining agreement regarding these layoffs of library workers. We have conducted multiple meetings with the employer’s representatives to articulate our opposition to their proposed application of the layoff procedure. However, TRL has persisted in maintaining their stance.

  • Library workers express disbelief, outrage as Timberland Regional Library sends layoff notices to nearly 40% of frontline staff

    Library workers express disbelief, outrage as Timberland Regional Library sends layoff notices to nearly 40% of frontline staff

    These layoffs are a betrayal of our communities and the library’s values and will have far-reaching impacts on library services for people across our five-county region, says AFSCME 3758-B

    Tumwater, WA — AFSCME Local 3758-B Timberland Regional Library is devastated to share that on Sunday 3/15/26, library administration sent out 60-day layoff notices to 44 Timberland Regional Library (TRL) workers. All library workers who received layoff notices on 3/15 are “frontline” staff who work directly at local library branch locations in the regional library system. In addition, 17 library workers recently chose a voluntary layoff option offered by leadership, and will also be leaving library employment due to the ongoing, shocking budget crisis at TRL.

    Layoff notices were sent to workers in the job classifications library assistant, librarian, and public services specialist. Local 3758-B is working diligently to provide resources and help to all union members facing layoffs.

    The total number of frontline library staff who will be laid off by 5/15/26 from TRL is over 60 workers: over 38% of all frontline staff currently employed at TRL branch work locations. Union leaders warn that this drastic reduction of staff will weaken the library system’s ability to respond to community needs, including technology access, education, safe spaces, and much more. Already, three rural library branches are now planned to operate on a locked keycard model without staff present, severely limiting those community members’ ability to use their library.

    Compounding the frustration of union library workers is that no additional layoffs or pay cuts have been announced for non-represented leadership, administrators, and other behind-the-scenes departments. As a Local 3758-B member says, remaining anonymous for fear of retaliation, “In difficult budget moments, workers expect solutions that reflect shared sacrifice across the organization, including consideration of leadership pay reductions before layoffs are implemented.”

    Local 3758-B members continue to call for accountability in budget decision-making and forecasting from library directors that led to this budget crisis and the layoffs of frontline workers. Michael Rainey, Executive Director of AFSCME Council 2, says, “As a union familiar with public agency operations, especially library budgets, we are deeply concerned about how Timberland has managed its budget.” Despite overwhelming opposition to these layoffs from community members and library patrons, so far, the TRL Board of Trustees has made no moves towards providing accountability.

    Local 3758-B President Meghan Hall shares this message: “Our union members are proud to serve the public. We serve our local communities and provide safe spaces for all community members to learn, use technology, and engage with literacy. Losing so many dedicated library workers to layoffs is heartbreaking. It is inconceivable that frontline library workers bear the brunt of these cuts.”

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    Download a PDF of this press release.