Seattle Art Museum Workers Unite for Better Conditions and Fair Wages

Seattle Art Museum Workers Rally for Unionization Under AFSCME

The movement to unionize cultural workers gains momentum as employees at the Seattle Art Museum (SAM) strive for representation through the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME). This initiative marks another milestone in the Cultural Workers United campaign.

A group of nearly 140 employees has united under the name Seattle Art Museum Workers United, aligning with WFSE/AFSCME Council 28. On May 13, they delivered a letter to museum management declaring their intention to unionize and subsequently held a rally outside the museum seeking voluntary recognition of their union.

The rally featured support from allies, including members from Tacoma Art Museum Workers United, Washington State Labor Council President April Sims, and WFSE Vice President Ashley Fueston. In response to potential non-recognition by museum management, the workers have also filed for an election with the National Labor Relations Board.

The workers' letter emphasized their desire for a stronger voice in workplace decisions and a push for fair wages and healthcare benefits. Drew Davis, an art handler involved in the unionizing efforts, expressed his motivation: "I'm forming a union because no one did it before me. I want the protections that it guarantees. I want the stability that it can guarantee. I want to live and work and have a family in Seattle. And I shouldn't have to sacrifice doing the important work of making art."

Jenny Woods, an installation design and registration specialist, highlighted the union's mission to enhance the museum environment: “I'm fighting for a union because I want to make SAM a better place for all workers, where we're treated with the respect that we deserve.”

The unionization efforts at the Seattle Art Museum follow a broader trend of cultural workers organizing under the AFSCME Cultural Workers United banner. This includes successful unionization at the nearby Tacoma Art Museum, where employees ratified their first contract last year under WFSE. For more information on the Tacoma Art Museum's contract, visit here.