NIAD Art Center workers form union for better pay and representation
Unionization Drive at NIAD Art Center Gains Momentum
In a significant development for labor rights within the arts community, employees at the NIAD Art Center in Richmond, California, have successfully established a union. This move is aimed at improving working conditions for those who support artists with disabilities.
The new union, named NIAD UNIDAD (NIADU), seeks representation under AFSCME Council 57. This unionization effort encompasses about 35 employees, including teaching artists, direct service providers, and administrative staff, many of whom juggle multiple roles.
Through their organizing committee, NIADU communicated their intent to address critical workplace issues such as adequate staffing, job security, fair wages, and a participatory role in decision-making processes. They believe that fostering a cooperative relationship with management will ultimately enhance the service provided to NIAD artists and the wider community.
Ocean Escalanti, a studio facilitator and community programs associate at NIAD, expressed: “As a cultural worker and educator, I believe that employees are worth receiving the same equity, care, and rights that we extend to our community of artists.” Escalanti further emphasized the historical importance of unionizing, stating that “NIAD UNIDAD continues a legacy of progressive art studios coming together to usher in a new era for creative direct service providers.”
Adding to this sentiment, Matt Dostal, a facilities and administrative staff member, shared, “I support NIAD UNIDAD because I love the NIAD community and have seen firsthand the incredible transformative power of progressive art studios. I know that working collectively is the only way we can continue to grow, thrive, and innovate.”
The unionization effort was formalized when the workers submitted their letter of intent to NIAD’s Executive Director, Amanda Eicher, on October 15. The leadership of the organization responded positively, as reported by KQED, with a unanimous decision to recognize the union.
This development at NIAD reflects a broader trend among cultural institutions in California and beyond, where workers are increasingly organizing for better conditions under the umbrella of AFSCME Cultural Workers United (CWU). Similar initiatives have taken place at the Oakland Museum of California and the Museum of Contemporary Art in Los Angeles.
CWU represents a national movement advocating for improved pay, working conditions, and transparency, with AFSCME representing over 10,000 museum employees and more than 25,000 library workers nationwide.