Sesame Street Workers Say, "U Is for Union"

In 1975, a garbage strike in New York City delighted Oscar the Grouch from Sesame Street. Years later, the employees who bring welfare to the characters initiated their own movement, voting to unionize with OPEIU Local 153. This new union encompasses puppeteers, artists, early-childhood experts and fundraising staff, seeking better working conditions that echo the lessons of kindness and fairness that Sesame Street promotes. Their efforts come amid financial challenges for the show, making job security more salient for its dedicated workforce.

Current employees at Sesame Workshop are dedicated to creating a more supportive and equitable work environment, aiming to reflect the core values taught by Sesame Street.

The unionization effort is rooted in a desire for dignity, respect, and consistency in treatment, essential for aligning with the show's mission to teach kindness.

Read at The Nation