Collective Bargaining and Professional Associations in the Library Field

Abstract

This article readdresses the issue, prominent in the literature a decade ago, of the viability of the American Library Association (ALA) as a quasi-union. It highlights the concerns raised in the debate over whether ALA should accept the role of collective bargaining agent for librarians. Although ALA chose not to accept that role, three professional associations in other fields (the American Nurses Association, the National Education Association, and the American Association of University Professors) did become quasi-unions. The experiences of these organizations are studied to ascertain the impact of collective bargaining activities. Although earlier articles postulated that ALA would lose membership and prestige by rejecting collective bargaining, this study found no such results. In fact, problems predicted by opponents of collective bargaining did occur within the professional associations that became quasi-unions. It is therefore concluded that ALA's decision was consonant with its statement of purpose and professional goals.

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