AFSCME Local 1454 Members Speak Out for Fair Pay at Camden County Library Commission Meeting
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 14, 2025
AFSCME Local 1454 Members Speak Out for Fair Pay at Camden County Library Commission Meeting
On August 12, 2025, members of AFSCME Local 1454 filled the Camden County Library Commission meeting room to deliver a unified message: library workers deserve fair pay now. The last contract expired on December 31, 2024, and negotiations have stalled. In the meantime, the library system has seen record-breaking numbers, with 71,000 visitors in July alone, the highest participation in the Summer Reading Program since 2020, and a 7% increase in program attendance. Yet, the same staff driving these achievements are working for wages far below regional standards.
"Our libraries are thriving because the people of Camden County need us," said Local 1454 President and Head of Youth Services Sarah Dziunycz. "But we are facing a systemwide staffing crisis. How do we expect to meet community needs when library workers aren’t offered a fair wage? The reality is, we can’t, not sustainably, not equitably, and not in a way that honors the communities we serve."
Sarah laid out stark numbers: Librarian 1 salaries in Camden County start at $46,438—$17,583 less than the NJ Library Association’s recommended minimum and well below what neighboring Burlington County pays. Meanwhile, raises in recent years have not kept pace with inflation, effectively amounting to pay cuts.
Other speakers echoed these concerns. Michael Richter called himself “deeply troubled” by the underpayment of staff, pointing out that mediation has been forced by the County’s refusal to negotiate in good faith, most recently even rescinding a previous offer.
Denise Coyne, a Gloucester Township resident and grandmother, spoke about how the library helped her autistic grandson, now reading at a 10th grade level at age 10. She challenged the County’s priorities, noting they can fund multimillion-dollar projects but not competitive wages for library staff.
Pat Brennan, speaking for the IT Department, described how chronic understaffing and low salaries make it nearly impossible to maintain the technology that patrons and staff rely on. Julie Tozer, Downtown Branch Manager, reminded Commissioners that the contract they approve will be part of their legacy. Community supporters like Emily Moore, Benjamin Saracco, and Sue Drew stood in solidarity, stressing the essential role libraries play and the urgent need for competitive wages.
The public comments drew a defensive response from the County’s lawyer, but the workers and community members made clear they will not be silenced.
AFSCME Local 1454 members are committed to continuing their fight, at Commission meetings, in the community, and at the bargaining table, until Camden County Library workers are paid what they’re worth. Because a strong community requires strong libraries, and strong libraries require fair pay.