Historical Society of Pennsylvania Workers Form Union with AFSCME

In a significant move reflecting the growing trend among cultural institutions, around 20 employees at the Historical Society of Pennsylvania (HSP) have initiated the formation of a union. This endeavor is being facilitated through the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME).

The decision to unionize comes in the wake of successful union efforts at prominent Philadelphia cultural landmarks, including the Philadelphia Art Museum and the Penn Museum. Inspired by these successes, HSP workers are motivated by aspirations for better job security and wages amid an increasingly unpredictable political climate, leading to the creation of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania Staff United (HSPSU).

With strong backing from their colleagues, workers have transformed their workplace concerns into proactive measures, securing substantial support for the union that promises to give them a significant voice in their employment matters.

Aileen Murphy, an access services librarian at HSP, expressed, “We are uniting to speak up and represent ourselves in a way that will protect our job security, give us the recognition we deserve, and provide a more balanced and inclusive work environment.”

The unionization effort is not only about improving employee conditions; it's also about preserving the vast institutional knowledge at HSP, an archive crucial to understanding 20th-century ethnic and immigrant experiences in America. Sarah Nash, a project archival processor, emphasized the importance of this mission, noting, “With historical and cultural institutions under attack, HSP’s mission is essential.”

Bankson Creech, another access services librarian, highlighted the communal aspect of the unionization drive, stating, “I want to unionize because I love being part of such a committed team, and I want us to join our museum and library colleagues who are already part of [Philly CWU] in the push for job security, fair wages, and a voice in the institution we all dedicate so much time and care to.”

Despite requesting voluntary recognition from the management, the HSPSU did not receive a response by their October 7 deadline. With the National Labor Relations Board currently closed, workers and supporters are advocating for the library to voluntarily recognize the union as the only feasible path forward until federal operations resume.

To learn more about the unionization efforts led by cultural workers, visit AFSCME Cultural Workers United. The organization represents 50,000 cultural workers nationwide, encompassing sectors such as museums, zoos, and libraries.