Workers at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) have made a historic decision to unionize with AFSCME District Council 36, as announced on December 17. This move comes after months of discussions and demands for better pay and increased transparency within the institution. Over 300 workers from various departments within the museum, including curatorial, administration, education, and preparation, will now be represented by the newly formed union, LACMA United.
In October, staff members at LACMA expressed their concerns about fair compensation, expanded benefits, and the need for more transparency in the museum’s operations. Many employees felt that their salaries were not keeping pace with the rising cost of living in Los Angeles. As a result, they decided to take action and form a union to address these issues collectively.
The decision to unionize was met with overwhelming support, with 96% of staff members voting in favor of joining AFSCME District Council 36. Despite the museum’s leadership not voluntarily recognizing the union by the group’s deadline, the workers proceeded with the vote to solidify their decision.
The road to unionization was not without challenges, as LACMA management reportedly engaged in tactics to discourage the formation of a union. However, support from Los Angeles County Supervisor Hilda Solis helped to alleviate some of these obstacles. Solis emphasized the importance of every worker’s legal right to organize and join a union without fear of retaliation or interference from management.
LACMA now joins a growing list of museums in Los Angeles whose workers have unionized under AFSCME, including the Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles, the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, and the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County. The decision to unionize reflects a broader trend of workers in the cultural sector advocating for better working conditions and fair treatment.
Moving forward, the newly formed union at LACMA will focus on establishing a bargaining committee and surveying the bargaining unit to identify key issues to address in their contract negotiations. Despite the busy holiday season, workers are eager to begin this next phase of the process and work towards securing a fair and equitable agreement.
As the largest museum in the western United States, with a vast collection of over 150,000 works and nearly 1 million annual visitors, LACMA plays a significant role in the cultural landscape of Los Angeles. The museum is currently undergoing a $720 million redevelopment of its campus, making it a pivotal moment for workers to ensure their stability and well-being are equally prioritized in the institution’s future.
Overall, the decision to unionize at LACMA marks a significant milestone for workers in the cultural sector and sets a precedent for advocating for fair treatment and better working conditions in museums and cultural institutions across the country. The unionization of LACMA staff underscores the importance of collective action and solidarity in addressing systemic issues within the arts and culture sector.
