"SO PROMISING OF SUCCESS": THE ROLE OF LOCAL 88 IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE CHICAGO PUBLIC LIBRARY, 1937-1952

The evidence indicates that the library union pursued strategies to strengthen a failing civil service practice within CPL, improve educational opportunities for staff, extend the political role of the staff of the library, and provide cultural and social events for employees. Strict enforcement of civil service for all library employees; an adequate staff at all times; definite classification of duties within each grade; minimum wage of $1200 a year for all full time employees, with part time employees paid on a proportional basis; promotional examinations and appointments from qualified lists at regular intervals; automatic increases within grades; four week vacation with pay and a thirty-five hour workweek; proper working conditions and the safeguarding of employees health; adequate facilities as to space, equipment and supplies for carrying on the duties of all employees.4 The list represents a detailed challenge to the weakening of civil service practice in Chicago that occurred during the period immediately preceding the stock market failures, as well as the subsequent Depression era.