Utah Library Workers Unionize, Secure First Contract

After a years-long battle, Salt Lake City Public Library employees win collective bargaining rights and a new contract.

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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Workers at the Salt Lake City Public Library (SLCPL) have successfully unionized with AFSCME Local 1004 and negotiated their first union contract, despite facing significant challenges from state legislation aimed at restricting public sector collective bargaining. The library workers persevered through a nearly 4-year organizing campaign, winning their union election in May 2025 and then quickly negotiating an agreement that includes pay raises, a grievance procedure, and new benefits for part-time staff.

Why it matters

This victory for SLCPL workers represents a rare win for public sector unions in a conservative state like Utah, where lawmakers have sought to limit collective bargaining rights. The successful unionization effort highlights the determination of these library employees to have a stronger voice in their workplace, even in the face of legislative opposition.

The details

SLCPL workers first announced their unionization drive with AFSCME in April 2023, making them the only non-unionized public sector employees in Utah. After the Salt Lake City Council approved their right to unionize in February 2025, the state legislature quickly passed a law aimed at restricting public sector collective bargaining. But the library workers pressed forward, winning their union election in May 2025 by a 92% vote. They then negotiated their first contract in just a few months, securing significant pay increases, annual raises, a new grievance process, and expanded benefits for part-time staff.

  • SLCPL workers announced their unionization drive in April 2023.
  • The Salt Lake City Council approved their right to unionize on February 4, 2025.
  • Utah Governor Spencer Cox signed a law restricting public sector collective bargaining on February 13, 2025.
  • SLCPL workers won their union election on May 1, 2025.
  • SLCPL Workers United ratified their first contract on December 2025.

The players

AFSCME Local 1004

The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees local union that represents the Salt Lake City Public Library workers.

Christina Ordonez

An associate librarian who has worked at Salt Lake City Public Library for 8 years and was involved in the unionization effort.

Spencer Cox

The Governor of Utah who signed a law in 2025 aimed at restricting public sector collective bargaining rights.

Salt Lake City Public Library (SLCPL)

The public library system in Salt Lake City, Utah where the unionization effort took place.

Salt Lake City Council

The city government body that approved the library workers' right to unionize in 2025.

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What they’re saying

“Winning this contract feels so much bigger than us. With every challenge that came our way, we kept saying, 'We're not going to let this stop us. This isn't over.' I'm so proud of all the good trouble we've gotten into and everything we've accomplished, especially in a red state like Utah.”

— Christina Ordonez, Associate Librarian (Instagram)

What’s next

The new union contract will go into effect for the 2026-2027 fiscal year, providing SLCPL workers with significant pay increases and expanded benefits.

The takeaway

The successful unionization of Salt Lake City's public library workers, despite facing legislative opposition in a conservative state, demonstrates the power of collective action and the determination of workers to have a stronger voice in their workplaces. This victory could inspire similar organizing efforts among other public sector employees in Utah and across the country.