Atelier Fine Art Services Employees Celebrate Union Recognition Victory

Philadelphia Art Services Employees Secure Union Recognition

In a notable development for workers in the cultural sector, employees at Atelier Fine Art Services in Philadelphia have successfully secured union recognition. The recognition marks a significant milestone in their efforts to negotiate a collective bargaining agreement under the umbrella of AFSCME Local 397.

The company's management has voluntarily acknowledged the union, which will now become a part of AFSCME Local 397 and the Philly Cultural Workers United. This new union will represent 51 employees who specialize in the handling, transport, and installation of priceless art pieces across museums and galleries nationwide.

"When an employer agrees to a voluntary recognition process, it demonstrates respect for and trust in the workers who have expressed their intent to unionize," remarked April Gigetts, president of District Council 47. "It lays the groundwork for a more collaborative relationship during contract negotiations and beyond. We're thrilled that Atelier has decided to set this positive example for other employers, and we're thrilled that the Atelier workers will soon be growing the Local 397 family."

The recognition of the union means the majority of eligible workers have shown their support for joining Local 397. This sets the stage for upcoming negotiations aimed at establishing a collective bargaining agreement.

The employees and Atelier's management released a joint statement expressing a shared commitment to creating a cooperative, transparent, and respectful work environment. Derek Jones, executive director of Atelier, expressed gratitude towards the employees and AFSCME, stating, "As a long-time AFL-CIO member myself, I am profoundly grateful to our incredible employees and AFSCME for their dedication to a collaborative future. Our team's unmatched expertise is the reason Atelier continues to set the standard in art services. Being recognized alongside Philadelphia's esteemed cultural institutions is a true badge of honor for us. We look forward to growing and strengthening our organization together as we enter this exciting new chapter."

With this move, Atelier employees join over 50,000 cultural workers nationwide who have found their voice through the AFSCME Cultural Workers United campaign. This includes workers from prominent institutions such as the Philadelphia Museum of Art and the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, among others. For more details, visit the District Council 47 website or follow them on Instagram.