Unions
Here's a look at documents from unions
Featured Stories
National Nurses United RNs will rally Monday, April 13 in Washington, D.C. to demand that Congress abolish ICE
SILVER SPRING, Maryland, April 10 [Category: Union] -- National Nurses United issued the following news release:
* * *
National Nurses United RNs will rally Monday, April 13 in Washington, D.C. to demand that Congress abolish ICE
*
Rally part of lobby event pushing lawmakers to fund care, not war abroad or at home
National Nurses United (NNU) nurses will rally in Washington, D.C. on Monday, April 13 to demand that Congress abolish ICE by immediately voting to cut off funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and to rescind the hundreds of billions in funding it received through
... Show Full Article
SILVER SPRING, Maryland, April 10 [Category: Union] -- National Nurses United issued the following news release:
* * *
National Nurses United RNs will rally Monday, April 13 in Washington, D.C. to demand that Congress abolish ICE
*
Rally part of lobby event pushing lawmakers to fund care, not war abroad or at home
National Nurses United (NNU) nurses will rally in Washington, D.C. on Monday, April 13 to demand that Congress abolish ICE by immediately voting to cut off funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and to rescind the hundreds of billions in funding it received throughthe Republican budget bill H.R. 1 last year.
ICE has only existed for a couple of decades and now serves as a lawless paramilitary force that Trump uses to terrorize citizens and non-citizens alike, and to brutalize opponents of his authoritarian government. Allied unions and groups, as well as members of Congress, such as Senator Ed Markey and former Representative Cori Bush, are also expected to speak.
"Nurses believe everybody has the freedom to move and the freedom to stay in search of a better life," said Jamie Brown, RN and president of NNU. "We demand that this war against immigrant communities ends now. Nurses don't believe any human is illegal; we care for everyone."
Who: Union nurses, Senator Ed Markey, former Representative Cori Bush, and others
What: Rally to abolish ICE
When: Monday, April 13, 2026 2-3 p.m.
Where: Upper Senate Park, 200 New Jersey Ave NW, Washington, D.C.
Nurses will be available at the rally for interviews. If you would like photos or b-roll of the event, please contact press@nationalnursesunited.org. Nurses from across the country will attend, including NNU affiliates New York State Nurses Association, Minnesota Nurses Association, Michigan Nurses Association, District of Columbia Nurses Association, California Nurses Association, and National Nurses Organizing Committee, as well as the Pennsylvania Association of Staff Nurses and Allied Professionals (PASNAP) and Massachusetts Nurses Association.
The rally is part of NNU's Nurses for Democracy 2026 Federal Lobby Day, a chance for union nurses to speak truth to Congress on behalf of their patients and communities about the dire social conditions working-class people in the country are facing under an authoritarian government. While President Trump continues to waste tens of billions of our taxpayer dollars to wage illegal wars around the globe that only further enrich himself and his family, his billionaire tech and Wall Street cronies, and corporations that profit off killing and destruction, hundreds of millions of people in the United States are suffering and dying without health care, food, decent housing, education, and other basic necessities.
Nurses will be asking both representatives and senators to support legislation to stop the multiple illegal wars Trump has started, to block weapons to Israel, to abolish ICE by yanking its funding, to tax billionaires, to end the U.S. blockade on Cuba, and more. Conversely, they will ask officials to oppose legislation that strips millions of citizens, particularly women and lower-income people, of their right to vote and to oppose any funding of ICE.
As members of the most trusted profession in the United States as well as the largest union and professional association of registered nurses, NNU nurses will be advocating for their vision of a healthy society where caring and compassion for the needs of working people drive our federal spending and policies, not cruelty and profits for the ultra-rich and corporations. To win programs such as Medicare for All and safe staffing standards in hospitals for patients, nurses know they must first defeat Trump's fascist takeover of our democratic government and institutions.
"Nurses stand against everything this administration is doing," said Brown. "Our whole mission is to heal patients and win the social conditions that help people live healthy lives. We are beyond angry that Trump is spending our taxpayer dollars to illegally bomb countries like Iran and Lebanon into obliteration while we are completely abandoning our own people. We could be using that money to fund health care for all, to feed people, to provide housing, and more. We will be in D.C. to demand that our legislators grow a spine."
National Nurses United is the largest and fastest-growing union and professional association of registered nurses in the United States with more than 225,000 members nationwide. NNU affiliates include California Nurses Association/National Nurses Organizing Committee, DC Nurses Association, Michigan Nurses Association, Minnesota Nurses Association, and New York State Nurses Association.
***
Original text here: https://www.nationalnursesunited.org/press/national-nurses-united-rns-will-rally-monday-april-13-in-washington-dc-to-abolish-ice
NEA: Education Department Rollback Undermines Title IX Protections
WASHINGTON, April 10 -- The National Education Association issued the following news release on April 8, 2026:
* * *
Education Department rollback undermines Title IX protections
This week, the U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights (OCR), which already has abandoned any efforts to enforce Title IX's protections against sexual harassment and discrimination, took the additional step of affirmatively rescinding provisions of previously negotiated resolution agreements, reversing commitments made with schools to address findings of gender discrimination under Title IX of the Education
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, April 10 -- The National Education Association issued the following news release on April 8, 2026:
* * *
Education Department rollback undermines Title IX protections
This week, the U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights (OCR), which already has abandoned any efforts to enforce Title IX's protections against sexual harassment and discrimination, took the additional step of affirmatively rescinding provisions of previously negotiated resolution agreements, reversing commitments made with schools to address findings of gender discrimination under Title IX of the EducationAmendments of 1972.
Title IX was not handed down quietly--it was the result of years of organizing, advocacy, and persistence by women, students, and civil rights leaders who challenged entrenched discrimination in education. The law was created to ensure that no student would be denied participation in, excluded from, or subjected to discrimination in federally funded education programs on the basis of sex--covering everything from athletics to admissions to protection from harassment and violence.
Such reversals of closed Title IX matters are highly unusual and represent a significant departure from longstanding enforcement practices, going beyond prior efforts to scale back diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives.
The following statement can be attributed to NEA President Becky Pringle:
"This decision guts long-standing Title IX agreements and strikes at the heart of a 50-year-old civil rights law: sex discrimination has no place in our schools, and every student deserves the chance to succeed and grow without fear of bias or harassment. Last year, OCR did not resolve a single case of sexual harassment or assault in K-12 schools, and with this step, the Administration is now undoing agreements already in place.
"Title IX guarantees that all students, regardless of sex--including their gender identity or sexual orientation--can learn in safe, welcoming environments. Rolling back agreements designed to address discrimination puts those protections at risk and raises serious concerns about student safety and equity.
"At a time when we should be strengthening protections for our most vulnerable students, including our trans students, some politicians are choosing to divide communities and make schools less safe by singling out certain students for who they are. We owe it to every student to ensure schools are safe, inclusive places where they can learn and thrive--no exceptions. We will not stand by while the rights generations fought to secure are stripped away from the students who depend on them today."
* * *
Original text here: https://www.nea.org/about-nea/media-center/press-releases/education-department-rollback-undermines-title-ix-protections
[Category: Union]
AFT's Weingarten and AAUP's Wolfson on The University of Illinois Springfield Faculty Strike
WASHINGTON, April 10 [Category: Union] -- The AFL-CIO American Federation of Teachers issued the following news release:
* * *
AFT's Weingarten and AAUP's Wolfson on The University of Illinois Springfield Faculty Strike
*
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. -AFT President Randi Weingarten and American Association of University Professors President Todd Wolfson issued the following statement:
"Faculty at the University of Illinois Springfield are on strike because their administration is failing to invest in the core mission of higher education: teaching, learning and student success.
"Offering raises as
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, April 10 [Category: Union] -- The AFL-CIO American Federation of Teachers issued the following news release:
* * *
AFT's Weingarten and AAUP's Wolfson on The University of Illinois Springfield Faculty Strike
*
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. -AFT President Randi Weingarten and American Association of University Professors President Todd Wolfson issued the following statement:
"Faculty at the University of Illinois Springfield are on strike because their administration is failing to invest in the core mission of higher education: teaching, learning and student success.
"Offering raises aslow as 1 percent, refusing to establish meaningful protections around the use of artificial intelligence in the classroom, and neglecting programs that expand student opportunity are not just bargaining failures-they are symptoms of a broader crisis in higher education.
"Across the country, we are seeing the same pattern: disinvestment in public institutions, erosion of working conditions for faculty and staff, and decisions that prioritize administrative control over educational quality. Higher education is a public good that must be strengthened through real investment, respect for workers, and a commitment to student success.
"The strike at UIS reflects exactly why we launched our nationwide campaign, Higher Education: Saving Lives, Building Futures. Faculty are standing up not only for fair compensation, but for the integrity of education itself-demanding guardrails on AI, stronger academic programs, and the resources students need to thrive.
"We call on Chancellor Gooch to stop hiding from her faculty and students and come to the table with a fair contract that reflects the value of their work and the needs of the campus community.
"What is happening at UIS is not isolated. It is part of a national movement of higher education workers, students and communities demanding a different future-one where institutions are properly funded, workers are respected, and students receive the education they deserve.
"We stand in full solidarity with the striking faculty and all those fighting to make higher education the public good it should be."
***
Original text here: https://www.aft.org/press-release/afts-weingarten-and-aaups-wolfson-university-illinois-springfield-faculty-strike
Workers at SriSai Biopharmaceutical Solutions Join Teamsters
WASHINGTON, April 9 [Category: Union] -- The International Brotherhood of Teamsters posted the following news release:
* * *
Workers at SriSai Biopharmaceutical Solutions Join Teamsters
*
(FREDERICK, Md.) - Workers at SriSai Biopharmaceutical Solutions LLC in Frederick have voted to join Teamsters Local 355. These new Teamsters provide clinical and non-clinical supply management services to various U.S. government agencies, including the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
"The strength and solidarity that these workers showed was some of
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, April 9 [Category: Union] -- The International Brotherhood of Teamsters posted the following news release:
* * *
Workers at SriSai Biopharmaceutical Solutions Join Teamsters
*
(FREDERICK, Md.) - Workers at SriSai Biopharmaceutical Solutions LLC in Frederick have voted to join Teamsters Local 355. These new Teamsters provide clinical and non-clinical supply management services to various U.S. government agencies, including the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
"The strength and solidarity that these workers showed was some ofthe best I've ever seen," said Scott Chismar, a Local 355 business agent. "These men and women staged a walkout over their working conditions and stuck together during the company's anti-union campaign. This is a special group of workers."
"My co-workers and I knew we deserved better and began looking into what union would fit us best," said Addysin Gross, a senior warehouse operations associate. "We are looking forward to working under a Teamsters contract that will provide us with dignity, justice, and respect in the workplace."
Teamsters Local 355 represents over 5,000 members throughout Maryland, Virginia, and Delaware. For more information, go to teamsters355.com.
***
Original text here: https://teamster.org/2026/04/workers-at-srisai-biopharmaceutical-solutions-join-teamsters/
Sheryl Lee Ralph to Receive 2026 Paul Robeson Award
NEW YORK, April 9 [Category: Union] -- The AFL-CIO Actors Equity Association issued the following news release:
* * *
Sheryl Lee Ralph to Receive 2026 Paul Robeson Award
*
New York - Actors' Equity Association, the national labor union representing more than 51,000 professional actors and stage managers in live theatre, and the Actors' Equity Foundation, a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization supporting the professional theatre community, announced jointly that they will bestow the Paul Robeson Award for 2026 on Sheryl Lee Ralph.
The Paul Robeson Award recognizes the ongoing work in our communities
... Show Full Article
NEW YORK, April 9 [Category: Union] -- The AFL-CIO Actors Equity Association issued the following news release:
* * *
Sheryl Lee Ralph to Receive 2026 Paul Robeson Award
*
New York - Actors' Equity Association, the national labor union representing more than 51,000 professional actors and stage managers in live theatre, and the Actors' Equity Foundation, a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization supporting the professional theatre community, announced jointly that they will bestow the Paul Robeson Award for 2026 on Sheryl Lee Ralph.
The Paul Robeson Award recognizes the ongoing work in our communitiesto leverage theatre beyond the stage and enact a commitment to the freedom of expression and conscience for all. The award upholds Paul Robeson's belief in the artist's responsibility to society and dedication to the betterment of humankind that he embodied in his life and work. It is the only award jointly administered by the union and the foundation, given annually since Robeson himself received the first citation in 1974.
Sheryl Lee Ralph is an acclaimed actor and activist whose accolades include an Emmy Award, a Screen Actors Guild Award and an Elizabeth Taylor Commitment to End AIDS Award. Her advocacy work includes founding The D.I.V.A. Foundation, which began with an HIV/AIDS focus and more recently expanded to include gender and race equality, public health, LGBTQ+ issues and food and housing insecurity. As a producer, she has created socially conscious theatre works such as Broadway productions of Thoughts of a Colored Man and Ohio State Murders.
In response to receiving this award, Ralph said, "To be honored by Actors' Equity Association with an award bearing Mr. Paul Robeson's name is truly both an honor and a blessing. Mr. Robeson stood in purpose, truth, and dignity. I stand in that same lineage through my work, my voice, my art, and activism."
"Sheryl Lee Ralph exemplifies Paul Robeson's mission by leveraging theatre as a vehicle for moral agency and cultural truth, extending its impact far beyond performance," said Equity actor R ichard E. Waits, who nominated Ralph for this award. "She has consistently used her platform to advance equity, health awareness and social justice through the founding of The D.I.V.A. Foundation and its ongoing work addressing HIV/AIDS, racial equity, women and girls and LGBTQ+ communities.
"Beyond her public advocacy, Ms. Ralph has mentored generations of artists - particularly women and artists of color - offering guidance, access and sustained support that often goes unrecognized."
Ralph will receive this award at a ceremony later this year.
SHERYL LEE RALPH is an Emmy Award-winning actress, producer, author, and activist whose career spans nearly five decades across stage, television, and film. She currently stars as Barbara Howard on ABC's acclaimed comedy Abbott Elementary, a role that earned her the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series. With this historic win, Ralph became only the second Black woman to receive the honor, and the first in more than 35 years.
Ralph first rose to prominence originating the role of Deena Jones in the original Broadway production of Dreamgirls, earning a Tony Award nomination and establishing herself as a defining voice in American theater. Her Broadway credits also include Thoroughly Modern Millie and Wicked, and she has continued to champion new work as a producer on Thoughts of a Colored Man and Ohio State Murders.
Her extensive television career includes standout roles in Abbott Elementary, Moesha, Instant Mom, and Ray Donovan, along with appearances on iconic series such as The Jeffersons, Good Times, and Wonder Woman. In film, she won the Independent Spirit Award for To Sleep with Anger, and has appeared in Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit and The Distinguished Gentleman. She can also be seen in the 2025 drama Ricky, a powerful story exploring life after incarceration and the pursuit of independence, reflecting her continued commitment to meaningful, socially resonant storytelling.
A globally recognized cultural figure, Ralph moved audiences nationwide with her stirring performance of "Lift Every Voice and Sing" at the Super Bowl. Her voice - both on and off stage - has become a source of inspiration, with her messages of self-worth, resilience, and perseverance resonating across generations.
Beyond her work on stage and screen, Ralph is a passionate humanitarian and the founding director of the DIVA Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to HIV/AIDS awareness, education, and compassionate care. Through her deeply personal solo work, Sometimes I Cry, she has brought storytelling directly into communities, including churches and underserved spaces, using art as a vehicle for healing, awareness, and connection. Her memoir, Redefining Diva: Life Lessons from the Original Dreamgirl, became a national bestseller and reflects her journey of resilience, purpose, and self-definition. Her work reflects a longstanding commitment to service, mentorship, and uplifting others - often beyond the spotlight.
Born in the United States and raised between America and Jamaica, Ralph proudly embraces her Jamaican heritage. She is a recipient of the Order of Jamaica and holds the title of "The Honorable," recognizing her global impact and service.
At the heart of her life and work is family. She is married to Pennsylvania State Senator Vincent Hughes and is a devoted mother, grounding her extraordinary career in a deep commitment to love, service, and legacy.
In recognition of her enduring contributions to the arts and her unwavering dedication to uplifting others, The Honorable Sheryl Lee Ralph continues to lead with purpose, grace, and authenticity.
PAUL ROBESON (1898-1976) was one of the most significant figures of the twentieth century at the intersection of performance and politics. His most famous roles included Joe on stage and screen for Show Boat and being one of the first Black performers to play Othello. As an activist, he protested injustice in the United States and abroad, including fighting segregation, apartheid and fascism. Paul Robeson was a trailblazing artist and activist who believed in the power of using his platform and fame to fight for justice, racial equality and peace. He received many accolades and was honored as the first recipient of the original Robeson Citation awarded in 1974.
ABOUT THE PAUL ROBESON AWARD On June 1, 1971, the Council of Actors' Equity Association established what is now known as the Paul Robeson Award Committee with Frederick O'Neal, the first African American president of Actors' Equity Association, as chair. The committee resolved to present an award to an individual, group or organization that best reflects the spirit of Paul Robeson and his legacy.
The Paul Robeson Award recognizes the ongoing work in our communities to leverage theatre beyond the stage and enact a commitment to the freedom of expression and conscience for all. The award upholds Paul Robeson's belief in the artist's responsibility to society and dedication to the betterment of humankind that he embodied in his life and work. The award is granted yearly to an individual, group or organization that exemplifies these values. It is the only award jointly administered by Actors' Equity Association and Actors' Equity Foundation.
ACTORS' EQUITY ASSOCIATION, founded in 1913, is the U.S. labor union that represents more than 51,000 professional actors and stage managers. Equity endeavors to advance the careers of its members by negotiating wages, improving working conditions and providing a wide range of benefits (health and pension included). Member: AFL-CIO, FIA. www.actorsequity.org #EquityWorks
THE ACTORS' EQUITY FOUNDATION was created in 1962 to aid and assist the members of the acting profession and to promote the theatre arts. It is separate from Actors' Equity Association and is funded by estate bequests and individual donations.
April 9, 2026
***
Original text here: https://www.actorsequity.org/news/PR/2026/04/09/sheryl-lee-ralph-to-receive-2026-paul-robeson-award
Amazon Teamsters Urge Passage of Delivery Protection Act in NYC Council Hearing
WASHINGTON, April 9 [Category: Union] -- The International Brotherhood of Teamsters posted the following news release:
* * *
Amazon Teamsters Urge Passage of Delivery Protection Act in NYC Council Hearing
*
Press Contact: Matt McQuaid Phone: (771) 241-0015 Email: mmcquaid@teamster.org
(NEW YORK) - Amazon Teamsters and their allies rallied at city hall today in support of the Delivery Protection Act, later testifying in favor of the bill before the New York City Council Committee on Consumer and Worker Protection. The landmark legislation, introduced by Councilmember Tiffany Caban, would outlaw
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, April 9 [Category: Union] -- The International Brotherhood of Teamsters posted the following news release:
* * *
Amazon Teamsters Urge Passage of Delivery Protection Act in NYC Council Hearing
*
Press Contact: Matt McQuaid Phone: (771) 241-0015 Email: mmcquaid@teamster.org
(NEW YORK) - Amazon Teamsters and their allies rallied at city hall today in support of the Delivery Protection Act, later testifying in favor of the bill before the New York City Council Committee on Consumer and Worker Protection. The landmark legislation, introduced by Councilmember Tiffany Caban, would outlawAmazon's controversial Delivery Service Partner (DSP) model across the five boroughs.
"For too long, Amazon has posed an existential threat to the safety of its workers and our neighborhoods," said Thomas Gesualdi, President of Teamsters Joint Council 16. "This company is using every trick in the book to try to kill the Delivery Protection Act, but there is nothing they can do to stop the Teamsters."
Amazon uses a network of third-party contractors known as DSPs to control workers and avoid legal responsibility for last-mile operations. This model creates dangerous conditions for DSP workers and communities alike. Last year, the New York City Comptroller's office found that injury rates at last-mile delivery facilities in the city are more than triple the national average for private employers, a staggering figure driven in large part by Amazon's operations.
"Amazon Teamsters generate billions for this company in New York City alone, yet they face the most dangerous working conditions in the industry," said Randy Korgan, Director of the Teamsters Amazon Division. "Amazon has proven it does not care about the safety of its workers or the communities they deliver to or taking accountability and responsibility for the Amazon Drivers that wear their brand. The Delivery Protection Act is the only way to hold Amazon accountable in New York City."
The Delivery Protection Act was reintroduced earlier this year and quickly secured majority support in the city council after an intense lobbying campaign led by rank-and-file Amazon Teamsters and their allies.
"This bill is supported by a diverse and massive coalition of DSP drivers just like me. And it's opposed by a trillion-dollar behemoth and its proxies," said Matt Multari, an Amazon driver at the DBK1 facility in Queens. "For the safety of our communities and Amazon workers, the City Council needs to pass the Delivery Protection Act."
Founded in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents over 1.3 million hardworking people in the U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico. Visit Teamster.org for more information. Follow us on X @Teamsters and on Facebook at Facebook.com/teamsters.
***
Original text here: https://teamster.org/2026/04/amazon-teamsters-urge-passage-of-delivery-protection-act-in-nyc-council-hearing/
AFSCME and American Library Association Prevail in Fight to Protect Libraries and Museums Nationwide
WASHINGTON, April 9 [Category: Union] -- The AFL-CIO AFSCME (American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees) issued the following news release:
* * *
AFSCME and American Library Association Prevail in Fight to Protect Libraries and Museums Nationwide
*
As National Library Week Approaches, Settlement Puts an End to the Administration's Attempt to Dismantle Federal Agency, Preserves Critical Public Resources
Washington, D.C. - The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) -the nation's largest union of cultural workers -and the American Library Association
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, April 9 [Category: Union] -- The AFL-CIO AFSCME (American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees) issued the following news release:
* * *
AFSCME and American Library Association Prevail in Fight to Protect Libraries and Museums Nationwide
*
As National Library Week Approaches, Settlement Puts an End to the Administration's Attempt to Dismantle Federal Agency, Preserves Critical Public Resources
Washington, D.C. - The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) -the nation's largest union of cultural workers -and the American Library Association(ALA) -the largest library association in the world -have reached a settlement agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice that protects the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) and ensures the agency will continue carrying out its congressionally mandated work. IMLS is the only federal agency solely dedicated to providing funding for the nation's libraries. Democracy Forward and Gair Gallo Eberhard LLP represent plaintiffs.
The agreement resolves litigation challenging the administration's attempt to dismantle IMLS through executive action. Under the settlement, the agency will continue awarding grants, conducting research, and operating programs that support libraries and museums across the country. The agreement also confirms that previously terminated grants have been reinstated, agency staff reductions have been reversed, and the administration will not take further steps to implement the executive order targeting IMLS.
IMLS provides essential coordination, research and funding for the nation's libraries, museums, public gardens, aquariums, zoos and other cultural institutions. IMLS plays a vital role in supporting early childhood education, workforce development, digital access and public learning spaces in communities across the country. It is a nonpartisan and independent agency dedicated to supporting and funding museums and libraries and the crucial community services they provide in every state across the country.
This lawsuit was filed during last year's National Library Week amidst the administration's attacks on IMLS, which included widespread Reductions in Force (RIFs). As this year's celebration approaches (April 19-25), the settlement announced today ensures that libraries and museums can continue serving millions of people without disruption. In addition to protecting IMLS funding in all 50 states, the settlement confirms that all RIF orders have been rescinded and that no further RIFs will be undertaken by the agency.
"Today is a victory for every community that depends on libraries and museums as gateways to opportunity, learning and connection," said AFSCME President Lee Saunders. "As the nation's largest union of cultural workers, AFSCME members fought tirelessly to protect this essential institution, which supports the vital services we provide to communities across the country. Thanks to these efforts, this vital funding is protected in every state in the country, so our communities can continue to have access to these essential places of learning."
"When the administration began shuttering IMLS last year, it set off a chain reaction. Libraries across the country started cutting hours, staff and services people rely on - after-school programs, support for job seekers and connection for older adults," said ALA President Sam Helmick. "This settlement protects life-changing library services for communities across the country. ALA will continue to defend every American's freedom to read and learn."
"Once again, this is proof that litigation works. Libraries and museums are pillars of our democracy; they expand opportunities, safeguard access to information, and strengthen communities across our country," said Skye Perryman, President and CEO of Democracy Forward. "This settlement ensures that the Trump-Vance administration's unlawful attempt to dismantle a congressionally mandated agency will not prevail. Our clients took action to protect institutions that people rely on every day, and this agreement secures the continued operation of IMLS as the law requires. We are honored to protect the public infrastructure that keeps our communities informed, educated, and connected."
Also this month, the U.S. Department of Justice dropped its appeal of an order won by a group of 21 state attorneys general to protect IMLS services in their states. All related litigation is now resolved.
The case is American Library Association et al v. Sonderling et al., and the legal team at Democracy Forward in this case includes Pooja Boisture, Rachel Nguemaha, Orlando Economos, Kayla Kaufman, and Robin Thurston.
Read the settlement agreement here and more about this case here.
***
Original text here: http://origin-afscme.bytrilogy.com/press/releases/2026/afscme-and-american-library-association-prevail-in-fight-to-protect-libraries-and-museums-nationwide
