AFSCME Cultural Workers United

04/21/2026

Today we celebrate library workers whose passions and service fuel our communities, like Boulder Public Library workers who are currently organizing for a voice on the job with AFSCME-Colorado.

To library workers everywhere: 𝗪𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗻𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗽 𝗳𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗱𝗶𝗴𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗱𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗲. Thank you for your service 📚

04/20/2026

“Serving the public is the deep ethic of everyone who works at the library,” said Karen Bowen, the adult literacy program coordinator at Boulder Public Library in Colorado. “If I feel supported as an employee, I’m more able to support the vulnerable folks I work with.”

Bowen, a member of the organizing committee, and her colleagues are asking the Boulder Public Library District Board of Trustees to establish the policy framework for recognizing their union, AFSCME-Colorado. A decision could come on National Library Workers’ Day.

On National Library Workers Day, join AFSCME members in honoring the public service workers who bring our community libraries to life.

04/20/2026

District Council 33 is proud to celebrate National Library Week!

Our libraries are cornerstones of Philadelphia. They are safe spaces, learning centers, and vital community hubs that thousands of residents rely on every day. At the heart of that service are the dedicated members of Local 696, whose commitment keeps our libraries open, welcoming, and full of opportunity.

Local 696 members support children discovering the joy of reading, families searching for resources, students working toward their futures, and communities looking for connection. Their work ensures that every Philadelphian has access to books, programs, and the support they need to learn and grow.

This week, we honor the strength, compassion, and professionalism of our library workers.

Philadelphia is better because of Local 696.

04/19/2026

Across the country, library workers are organizing for fair wages, safer working conditions and a voice on the job.

This week and every day, we honor the dedicated library workers who make our communities strong by providing access to information and resources, career and skills support, educational programs and so much more. We will stand with them as they fight for dignity and respect while serving our communities day in and day out.

04/15/2026

04/12/2026

The four-year agreement raises wages by 12% across the board, with a 3% increase retroactive to July 1, 2025. All bargaining-unit members will receive a ratification bonus, and employees designated as translators will receive bilingual pay 🎉 Illinois Cultural Workers United-AFSCME AFSCME Council 31

Chicago art museum workers now have a first contract. Congratulations!

04/11/2026

As the nation’s largest union of cultural workers, we will continue fighting to protect cultural institutions around the country, as well as essential public services ✊

AFSCME members succeeded in protecting funding from IMLS, a federal agency that supports public libraries and museums across the country.

04/10/2026

Meet our newest union siblings from NY! 💚

Join us in welcoming Seaford Public Library workers into CSEA's union family. The new unit consists of all non-management, non-confidential employees.
Our new members approached Wantagh Public Library CSEA Unit President Jenn McHugh for guidance when they first began organizing. McHugh continued to support the library workers throughout the organizing process. Other volunteer member organizers include Long Island Region One President Jarvis Brown, Local 882 President John Shepherd, and Catherine Campos from other newly organized workers at Haverstraw King's Daughters Public Library.

📸: Ursula Howard

04/09/2026

In a huge victory for library and cultural workers, we have reached a favorable resolution in our ongoing lawsuit with American Library Association against the illegal dismantling of the Institute of Museum and Library Services!

The settlement ensures that IMLS will continue to operate as Congress intended—supporting libraries, museums and cultural institutions in communities across the country after the administration’s efforts to gut the agency disrupted grants, destabilized programs and threatened access to essential services.

A special shout out to the AFSCME Cultural Workers United members who have fought tirelessly throughout the entire legal process, bravely sharing their stories both in court & online.

04/08/2026

The four-year agreement raises wages by 12% across the board, with a 3% increase retroactive to July 1, 2025. All bargaining-unit members will receive a ratification bonus, and employees designated as translators will receive bilingual pay. Illinois Cultural Workers United-AFSCME

Chicago art museum workers now have a first contract. Congratulations!

04/06/2026

Congratulations to our newest union siblings from the New York Transit Museum who unanimously won their union with District Council 37, AFSCME 💚✊

Workers at the New York Transit Museum have a say in their futures after forming a union through AFSCME.