Staff at Lacma vote overwhelmingly in favour of forming a union

"Earlier this week, staff at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (Lacma) voted by an overwhelming margin to unionise, with 96% of eligible employees voting in favour. The vote on 15 and 16 December followed the museum's decision earlier this month to decline workers' request for voluntary recognition, despite organisers' assertion that they had already secured support from a clear majority of eligible staff."

""An independent election to determine whether staff would be represented by AFSCME Cultural Workers United, District Council 36, has concluded," a spokesperson for Lacma said in a statement to the Beverly Press Park LaBrea News. "The results confirm that DC 36 will be certified as the bargaining representative for staff. The museum is committed to working collaboratively with DC 36 and staff in a spirit of mutual respect, open dialogue and shared dedication to the museum's mission, honouring the will of the majority of voters.""

"Workers publicly announced their intention to unionise in late October, citing persistent concerns related to transparency, limited avenues for staff input, high turnover and compensation that has not kept pace with the rising cost of living in Los Angeles. In an open letter circulated internally and addressed to senior leadership, employees also pointed to the contrast between these conditions and the museum's ongoing campus redevelopment project, including the new $720m David Geffen Galleries."

Staff at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art voted overwhelmingly to unionize, with 96% of eligible employees voting in favor during a December 15–16 election. The museum had declined a prior request for voluntary recognition despite organizers' claims of majority support. The new union, Lacma United, joins AFSCME District Council 36 and represents more than 300 workers across curatorial, education, preparator and administrative roles. Workers cited concerns about transparency, limited input, high turnover and stagnant compensation amid a costly Los Angeles market, and contrasted workforce issues with the museum's $720m campus redevelopment investment.

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