Workers at the Upper Darby Township & Sellers Memorial Free Public Library in Pennsylvania won their union with AFSCME Council 13, marking a victory for library workers seeking a stronger voice on the job and a brighter future for the communities they serve. 

The workers voted overwhelmingly in favor of their union on June 24 after months of organizing and having one-on-one conversations with each other about the issues facing their workplace. 

“We wanted to form a union because we felt like we’d have more bargaining power to change our situation,” said Program Coordinator Jean Kosha. “People are really interested in forming a union and they’re excited about what it will bring.” 

For Customer Service Assistant Hunter Montgomery, the campaign was driven by the passion he sees every day among his co-workers. 

“People work at the library because it’s important,” Montgomery said. “They know it’s a valuable service and a place where people can come and get their problems solved. That passion is something none of my co-workers lack.” 

As workers discussed what they wanted to improve, they found overwhelming support for forming a union. 

“People wanted more agency at work and a bigger voice in decisions that have such a huge effect on the services we can offer the community,” Montgomery said. “Once people realized the power that collective action gives you, it kind of felt easy. The momentum just kept building, and we were able to ride that wave of enthusiasm right through the successful election.” 

While fair wages and a strong first contract are top priorities, library workers say their organizing effort is also about protecting and strengthening a vital public institution. 

“We serve everybody,” Kosha said. “It’s not only about checking out books. It’s about serving the community.” 

Now that they have won their union, the library workers are looking ahead to negotiating their first contract. Their priorities include fair wages, cost-of-living adjustments, stronger workplace protections and a greater voice in shaping the future of the library. 

“We’re excited to have a bigger say in our workplace and in the decisions that affect both employees and the people we serve every day,” Montgomery said. 

Kosha believes the strong support demonstrated throughout the organizing campaign will carry into contract negotiations. 

The victory also sends a message to workers everywhere about the power of solidarity. 

“I hope people see organizations like ours come together and realize that getting together with your co-workers can make a huge, positive difference in the workplace and the community,” Montgomery said. 

More than 50,000 workers in libraries, museums, zoos and other cultural institutions across the country have gained a seat at the table and a voice on the job through the AFSCME Cultural Workers United campaign, the largest organizing effort of its kind in the nation.