"“The challenges we face, such as unsustainable wages, subpar health benefits, and siloed, top-down decision-making, are undeniable, systemic, and have persisted across administrations,” the union's letter to leadership reads. “Change at the top alone will not solve our root problems.”"
"“In addition to seeking better compensation, benefits, and transparency, the letter also calls on the museum to establish ‘just-cause’ job protections in place of the current ‘at-will’ employment model.”"
"“Over 100 staff members across departments at the Seattle Art Museum (SAM) have announced their intention to unionize in a recent letter to the Director and CEO Scott Stulen and the museum board, urging leadership to voluntarily recognize the union by Wednesday, May 27.”"
"“The letter recognized the work of the SAM's unionized security guards, who separately staged a 12-day strike in 2024 that led to a contract ratification after over two years of negotiations, and acknowledged the nationwide push for unionizing in the arts and culture sector.”"
Over 100 employees across departments at the Seattle Art Museum announced plans to unionize and urged the museum’s leadership to voluntarily recognize the union by May 27. The employees, going by Seattle Art Museum Workers United (SAMWU), affiliated with Washington Federation of State Employees/AFSCME Council 28, which also represents workers at the Tacoma Art Museum. A May 13 letter signed by 59 current employees cited unsustainable wages, subpar health benefits, and siloed, top-down decision-making as systemic problems that have persisted across administrations. The letter also requested greater compensation, benefits, and transparency, and called for “just-cause” job protections instead of the current “at-will” employment model. The letter referenced unionized security guards’ 2024 strike and contract ratification after extended negotiations.
Read at Hyperallergic
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