AFSCME Cultural Workers United Reaches 50,000 Union Members Milestone

The cultural sector has seen a significant shift in workforce organization, as 50,000 employees across museums, libraries, zoos, and more have collectively found their voice through unionizing with AFSCME Cultural Workers United. This movement marks the largest unionization effort in cultural institutions to date.

AFSCME's legacy of advocating for cultural workers can be traced back to 1976 when the Library of Congress employees unionized under AFSCME District Council 20. However, the urgency for collective action gained momentum during the COVID-19 pandemic, which highlighted persistent workplace challenges including job security and safety concerns. This awakening led to the formation of the Cultural Workers United initiative.

Spanning from New York to California, cultural workers have come together to confront issues such as low wages, lack of management transparency, and exclusion from workplace policy decisions. This wave of unionization has reached cities large and small, as well as rural communities nationwide.

States with historically restrictive labor laws like Maryland, Colorado, Utah, and Louisiana are now witnessing new collective bargaining powers for library workers. Notably, in Philadelphia, employees at the Philadelphia Museum of Art (PMA) attracted national attention with a successful three-week strike, resulting in a contract that met all demands, including a 14% wage increase, reduced healthcare costs, and enhanced parental leave.

In Illinois, the unionization movement has grown rapidly, with 2,500 cultural workers from institutions such as the Art Institute of Chicago and the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago joining forces under Illinois Cultural Workers United-AFSCME Council 31.

Similar efforts are evident in California, where employees at cultural landmarks like the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County and the Monterey Bay Aquarium have successfully unionized. Meanwhile, Dartmouth College Library workers in New England have joined AFSCME Council 93, uniting with other library and museum workers at prestigious institutions nationwide.

These newly formed unions have achieved substantial victories, including significant wage hikes, contract bonuses, bilingual employee compensation, and improved job training opportunities. Despite challenges from the current administration, AFSCME CWU remains committed to defending cultural institutions, exemplified by their lawsuit with the American Library Association to preserve funding for the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

Reflections from Cultural Workers Empowered by CWU:

Ryan Morris, part-time hourly information, Anne Arundel Public Library

AFSCME Council 3, Maryland

“I’m so proud to be a part of the union that won our right to collective bargaining through the legislature. And I am so proud of the contract we achieved together. Our union fought to the very end to ensure we have strong protections against discrimination. Especially in today’s climate, where so many people are under attack simply because of their identity, having written protections is more important than ever. I know how important it is for my co-workers and me to have representation and power on the job, and that’s exactly what this contract gives us.”

Garrett Stralnic, public programs coordinator, The Walters Art Museum

AFSCME Council 3, Maryland

“Happy Anniversary CWU! As a founding campaign of the CWU movement, we fought relentlessly for a union that includes all of us. Museum management tried to divide us, but we proved we are stronger together! We now have a contract that substantially increases base pay and salary, includes step increases along with years of service, and secures yearly cost-of-living increases along with numerous new benefits. And we now have the power to advocate for the safety protections and respect we deserve. Our hard work is what makes the Walters such a vital part of the Baltimore community.”