Union employees of the Peoria Public Library say their two days of contract mediation sessions with library administration last week were unfruitful.
Library employee Rose Farrell told the Peoria City Council Tuesday that the library's latest offer was unacceptable to the point of being laughable.
"Our staff cannot afford to eat more than one meal a day. Our staff are on government assistance. Our staff are housing insecure, and our staff cannot afford to work here," she said.
Pay remains the major sticking point in the contract talks. Library employees organized under AFSCME have worked under an expired contract since the beginning of the year.
Library executive director Randall Yelverton wasn't immediately available for comment on Wednesday, but he has previously told WCBU that he believes the library can reach an amicable agreement with the union that's mutually beneficial.
