Toledo Museum of Art Workers Form Union for Fair Treatment and Voice

Toledo Museum of Art Workers Form New Union to Enhance Workplace Conditions

In a decisive move toward workplace empowerment, employees at the Toledo Museum of Art have voted overwhelmingly to unionize, with 86% backing the formation of Art Workers United under AFSCME Ohio Council 8.

The formation of this union marks a significant step for museum staff seeking a more transparent and equitable work environment. This newly established union comprises educators, curators, visitor services staff, technicians, and research personnel who initiated their organizing efforts earlier this year. Their primary concerns include job security, equitable wages, and improved working conditions, with an emphasis on having a voice in significant workplace decisions.

"The time to raise our voices is now," stated Skye Sloane, a Vision Services team leader and union organizer. She highlighted the museum's ongoing multimillion-dollar capital project, emphasizing the need for transparency and employee input in such major developments. "As dedicated cultural workers, we have invested in the museum's success and want equal footing," she added.

Nate Coryell, a preservation staff member, cited the rising costs of living and healthcare as key motivators for the unionization effort. "As cultural workers, we don’t live in a bubble,” Coryell noted. “I want to work with my co-workers to find equitable solutions rather than having decisions made for us."

For glass studio specialist Chuchen Song, unionization is also about fostering solidarity among employees. "TMA talks about how the administration can be more supportive to employees and community," Song explained. "Our union not only provides protection but also positively impacts our community because workers always look out for each other."

With the union now established, workers are preparing to elect representatives and enter negotiations with museum management. The primary goals include securing fair wages, enhancing benefits, ensuring job stability, and cultivating a respectful work environment. This movement aligns with actions taken by workers at other cultural institutions in Ohio, such as the Wexner Center for the Arts, Columbus Museum of Art, and Gateway Film Center, who have already unionized through Council 8.

This successful vote is part of a larger trend seen nationwide, spearheaded by AFSCME Cultural Workers United. The organization leads the largest organizing movement for cultural workers in the U.S., representing 45,000 members across museums, zoos, libraries, and other cultural venues.