UAW to Hold Unionization Vote for Amer. Folk Art Museum Workers

New York, NY

On June 6, the American Folk Art Museum staff will cast their votes on unionizing with Local 2110 UAW. This potential merger includes different roles such as curators, educators, retail and communication staff, and more. This move is part of the growing trend of museum employees seeking organization.

Unionizing motives include the quest for fair wages, job benefits, recognition, transparency, and better working conditions.

Jean Seestadt, Events Manager, states, "I love the museum, exhibitions and programs. However, long-term employment sustainability is what I desire. We've witnessed too many valued colleagues leave."

Executive Assistant, Eve Erickson believes that unionizing will grant the staff a voice in their work conditions and future at the Museum.

Over the past few years, thousands of culture sector workers have opted to unionize. Institutions like the Jewish Museum, the Dia Foundation, Guggenheim Museum, Whitney Museum of American Art, Brooklyn Museum, the Hispanic Society of America, Film Forum, Anthology Film Archives, MASS MoCA, Film at Lincoln Center, Studio in a School, the Portland Museum of Art, and the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston have all unionized with Local 2110 since November 2020. The common issues shared among these employees are low pay, lack of job security, and fewer opportunities.

The American Folk Art Museum, located at 2 Lincoln Square on the Upper West Side, has been around for more than half a century.

Local 2110 UAW also advocates for workers at various organizations such as the Museum of Modern Art, the Guggenheim, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, MASS MoCA, Whitney Museum of American Art, Brooklyn Museum, Columbia University, Film Forum, Teachers College, ACLU, Center for Reproductive Rights, The New Press, among others. The union is renowned for its successful organization and bargaining strategies.