Information Scotland The Journal of the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals in Scotland ISSN 1743-5471 Issue contents | Journal contents | About the online edition of the journal February 2007 Volume 5(1)

Striking similarities 20 years on

Rhona Arthur was at the picket line 20 years ago this month on all-out strike with other Strathclyde Regional Council librarians, protesting against pay and conditions. But how have things improved?

Twenty years ago this month, librarians employed by Strathclyde Regional Council, disappointed by the failure of their employer to address their pay and conditions, went on all-out strike. This resonates with present day concerns about pay and conditions in the form of Workforce Pay and Benefits, Job Evaluation and Single Status.

In the 1980s, Strathclyde Regional Council employed more than 270 library staff in their secondary schools, colleges and educational resource services. A claim for re-grading was submitted in 1981 but a national agreement prevented local settlements being reached. The national grade was removed in 1984 and NALGO (the trades union representing the library staff) entered in to local negotiations.

This post was paid up to GBP 3,000 a year less than a newly qualified teacher. Librarians felt under-valued and wanted a career structure comparable to other professional groups working for the regional council. The claim was for APIV/V for school librarians, the benchmark post upon which all other library posts were graded. In a letter to Scottish Libraries journal, Robert Craig, Chief Executive of the Scottish Library Association, pointed out that there was a lack of understanding about the contribution which librarians could make to support the curriculum and its development.

In January 1987, library staff took the decision 2:1 to take indefinite strike action from 2 February, rejecting an offer of API/II, as it was “...clear that the proposal would only perpetuate low salaries and low status for library staff in education, one of the few professional groups with a very high proportion of women employed.” This echoes today’s concerns about equal opportunities and the ‘glass ceiling’.

The curriculum change at the time was the introduction of Standard Grade and its focus on investigative learning and the use of primary source material. Librarians found it hard to get a seat at the table to assist in planning the development (eerily like history repeating itself in A Curriculum for Excellence). The reasons for this are varied, but some link back to the status of library staff. Status is inextricably linked with salary and conditions of service, as well as professional expertise.

The strike lasted for five weeks. There was a degree of shock that librarians had taken such militant action against the heavy-weight Labour authority. Library staff served time on picket lines, formed a political strategy targeting the regional councillors, haunted council meetings and organised lobbying at councillors’ surgeries. Letters to the press were written, buildings were picketed and discussions were held between key parties. Eventually, a return to work was agreed and an improved offer was made shortly afterwards. The offer was APIII for chartered librarians, with APIII/IV for posts with additional responsibilities.

Twenty years on CILIP in Scotland continues to be concerned about the impact of Single Status and Workforce Pay and Benefits reviews on pay. Members can build strong arguments based on emphasising skills and competencies using the CILIP in Scotland guide
Socialising with a few ex-pickets recently, I was persuaded to mark this anniversary in the journal. For many of those involved in the action, it was a political baptism of fire. Much was learned about political awareness, strategy and skills. Disappointingly, the struggle to convince employers that they need to invest in skills of their library workforce and reward staff appropriately gets tougher as the budgets get tighter. We all need to keep pressing for better pay. Our profession makes a difference, and the cost of an educated, culturally-rich and literate Scotland, is a price worth paying.

Rhona Arthur is Assistant Director, CILIP in Scotland

Information Scotland Vol. 5(1) February 2007

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