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.