Baltimore Museum of Art workers secure first union contract with 98% vote

In a significant achievement for labor rights within the cultural sector, employees at the Baltimore Museum of Art have successfully ratified their initial union contract. The agreement was overwhelmingly approved by a 98% majority, marking the culmination of extensive negotiations lasting two years.

The Baltimore Museum of Art Union (BMAU) reached a tentative agreement with museum management in late August, and the contract was officially ratified on October 3. This three-year contract, which will be in effect until June 30, 2027, promises various improvements for the museum's workforce, which began organizing in 2021. BMAU aims to enhance job security and working conditions for its members.

Key features of the contract include:

• A cumulative raise exceeding 13% over the contract's duration,
• Reimbursements for certain employees to cover the cost of protective workwear,
• Provision of seating for gallery officers at specific posts,
• Expanded leave policies, including six weeks of fully paid parental leave.

The contract benefits over 130 museum staff members, comprising roles such as security officers, facilities workers, educators, visitor experience personnel, and curatorial staff. The BMAU is part of a broader trend of cultural workers organizing under the umbrella of AFSCME Maryland Council 3 and its Cultural Workers United (CWU) initiative. This movement includes employees at institutions like the Walters Art Museum and the Enoch Pratt Free Library.

John Young, a gallery officer, emphasized the importance of unionization, stating, “I believe that everyone, everywhere, should unionize. It’s important to remind those in charge that they do not provide the labor that ensures their income and that the rights and well-being of those who work under them should be their top priority."

Veteran photographer Mitro Hood, reflecting on nearly two decades at the museum, remarked, "After 18 years working at the BMA, we finally have a voice for raises and protections we never had before, thanks to our first contract."

Gallery educator Erin Allen highlighted the necessity of fair compensation and job protections, saying, “This institution can’t exist without the support of its workers, and this contract gives us a voice in making sure all employees are rightfully compensated for their labor."

Patrick Moran, President of Council 3, commended the museum workers for achieving their contract after prolonged discussions. “We’re honored to have the members of the Baltimore Museum of Art Union as part of the AFSCME Maryland family because all workers deserve the right to organize for the pay, respect, and better working conditions they deserve,” Moran stated. “With this contract, BMA workers are defending and expanding those rights.”

AFSCME’s Cultural Workers United initiative is a nationwide effort uniting cultural institution employees to advocate for improved wages, equitable treatment, and greater transparency in the workplace. Representing more cultural workers than any other union, AFSCME includes 10,000 museum workers across 91 cultural institutions and over 25,000 library staff at 275 libraries nationwide.