FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: U-M RESEARCH MUSEUM COLLECTIONS MANAGERS VOTE TO JOIN LEO-GLAM UNION

Research Museum Collection Managers celebrating the MERC decision with LEO-GLAM librarians at the July Happy Hour!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: U-M RESEARCH MUSEUM COLLECTIONS MANAGERS VOTE TO JOIN LEO-GLAM UNION

Ann Arbor, MI – 

On Monday morning, the Michigan Employment Relations Commission (MERC) tabulated results in a MERC-directed election for the University of Michigan Research Museum Collection Managers (RMCMs). The unit voted unanimously with 100% participation to elect the Lecturers Employee Organization (LEO - AFT MI Local 6244) as their collective bargaining representative, and as such to be accreted into the existing LEO-GLAM bargaining unit. The election took place from Friday, August 7th to Friday, August 14th. This election follows a July 16, 2026 MERC decision that the RMCMs share a community of interest with the LEO-GLAM unit of librarians, archivists, and curators. 

Research Museum Collection Managers waited a year for MERC’s ruling, after the University declined to voluntarily recognize their inclusion in the LEO-GLAM bargaining unit. Research Museum Collection Managers are responsible for overall museum collections management, managing the acquisition, cataloging, and preservation of  items for research, permanent storage and public display, and often engage in research and publication. 

The Research Museum Collection Managers have issued the following statement: 

“The University of Michigan Research Museum Collection Managers have overwhelmingly voted to be represented by LEO-GLAM!  Research Museum Collection Managers are functionally integrated into fulfillment of U-M’s educational, research, and service mission, and we recognized a shared community of interest with the currently represented librarians, archivists, and curators.  We look forward to deepening our connections within this community and utilizing our collective voice to strengthen the stewardship, growth, and accessibility of the University’s world-class libraries, archives, and museums.”