Over 60 library staff at Tufts University are now united in SEIU Local 888. Through an in-person election, workers voted to join SEIU 888 in a vote of 41-5 to protect good jobs and address ongoing issues of unsustainable wages amidst the mounting cost of living crisis all workers face in Massachusetts.

"I'm so excited that Tufts library workers have come together and voted yes to unionize," said Elizabeth McCall (she/her), a Research Data Librarian at Tufts. "I’m grateful to my colleagues who have spent their time building community, sharing their stories, and making change. This union will allow library and archives workers to have more of a say in our workplace, so that we can best support the Tufts community."

The workers who voted to join SEIU 888 include research and instruction librarians, library coordinators, library assistants, archival staff and more. They join existing higher education union siblings at SEIU 888 at Boston University, Emerson University, Brandeis University, and University of Massachusetts Lowell.

Tufts library staff began organizing in April 2026, filing for their union election in September 2026, and were supported by their union siblings in SEIU 32BJ and SEIU 509, Tufts students, and community members to secure their union victory through an overwhelming vote on October 21.

“Organizing Higher Ed is a tremendous priority for Local 888," SEIU President Tom McKeever stated. "We wish to provide the best representation and grow our local bigger, better and stronger! We are thrilled to continue working with Tufts library staff until they win a fair contract that provides the respect, dignity, and voice they deserve. Welcome to SEIU Local 888."

SEIU Local 888 unites more than 8,000 state, municipal and education workers across the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. We believe in the dignity and worth of workers and the important services they provide. We are dedicated to improving the quality of public service and education, and to creating a more just and humane society.

For many workers in higher education, jobs have felt increasingly tenuous due to the rising cost of living, the encroaching use of AI, and widespread cuts and layoffs across the humanities. Flying in the face of these challenges, the Tufts' library workers' victory means that change is possible through the power of a union. Local 888 is ready to work with any workers who are ready to unite and fight!
For more information or inquiries, please email myunion@seiu888.org.