AFSCME cultural workers win big in March: Union momentum surges within nation’s museums, cultural institutions

 

Across the country, workers at major museums and cultural institutions are voting overwhelmingly to unionize with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME). In March alone, workers won formal recognition of their unions at the Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago, Ill.; Wexner Center for the Arts in Columbus, Ohio; and Please Touch Museum (PTM) in Philadelphia, Pa.  

 

“Cultural workers continue to drive a wave of organizing, and we could not be more excited to be part of this sea change,” said AFSCME President Lee Saunders. “From community libraries to science centers to children's museums, workers at cultural institutions are transforming their workplaces and ensuring that anyone with a passion for this work can build a career.” 

 

From the Philadelphia Museum of Art Union’s historic contract ratification to the Baltimore Museum of Art Union winning their union election by a landslide in July, cultural workers are raising their voice and claiming their seat at the table.

 

Anand Ghorpadey, a museum learning educator and member of the PTM United Organizing Committee, said, “This is a victory for every staff member and guest that comes together to impact the lives of our youngest community members. It is also a reminder that, no matter how old an institution is, there is always room for collaborative growth. And we look forward to working together with management to create lasting change at PTM.” 

 

This month, workers at the Chicago Academy of Sciences/Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum filed for an election with the National Labor Relations Board. Workers at the Tacoma Art Museum, Walters Art Museum, and elsewhere also continue to fight for a voice on the job.  

 

To learn more, visit CulturalWorkersUnited.org and follow us on twitter @cwuafscme.