AFSCME Fights to Keep Museum and Library Services Agency Open

AFSCME Rallies to Defend the Institute of Museum and Library Services

In a significant move, AFSCME, known as the largest union representing cultural workers, has intensified its efforts to prevent the closure of the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). This week, AFSCME collaborated with cultural organizations to submit a friend-of-the-court brief, supporting a preliminary injunction that state attorneys general secured to halt the shutdown of the IMLS. The union's actions underscore their commitment to preserving essential public services.

The administration's controversial executive order from March aimed at dismantling the IMLS has been met with widespread opposition. The amicus brief presented by AFSCME highlights the detrimental impact such cuts would have, threatening vital community resources across the nation.

AFSCME President Lee Saunders remarked, “We urge the court to continue to protect federal support for museums and libraries from anti-worker billionaires who are trying to rob our communities of the services we depend on.” He emphasized the union's dedication to safeguarding educational and cultural resources essential for communities.

Established by Congress in 1996, the IMLS plays a crucial role in providing coordination, research, and funding to various cultural institutions, including libraries, museums, and zoos. AFSCME Cultural Workers United members are integral to these institutions, benefiting from federal grants and expert assistance. Their roles at venues like the District of Columbia Public Library and the Science Museum of Minnesota are pivotal, as highlighted in the brief.

Data from the IMLS is vital for AFSCME's collective bargaining efforts, ensuring fair wages and benefits for its members. The agency's bipartisan support is particularly crucial for smaller and rural institutions that rely heavily on federal funding.

In a recent development, a federal district court in Rhode Island issued a preliminary injunction, preventing the agency's shutdown. AFSCME's brief urges the First Circuit Court of Appeals to maintain this injunction. The union is also engaged in a separate legal matter alongside the American Library Association to protect the IMLS.

For those interested in joining AFSCME's cause to defend these essential services, more information can be found at AFSCMEGo.org.