Penn Museum Workers Inch Closer to Strike Amid Contract Negotiations
Following a recent municipal work stoppage in Philadelphia that resulted in overflowing garbage on the streets, unionized staff at the Penn Museum are now on the brink of a potential strike as they push for higher wages from the University of Pennsylvania, the city’s largest private employer.
The members of Penn Museum Workers United Local 397, representing approximately 50 employees across various departments at the museum, including visitor services, public programming, collections management, and conservation, have unanimously voted to authorize a strike after their contract expired at the end of June. While a strike has not been called yet, the union’s executive board is prepared to take action if negotiations do not yield favorable results, as reported by Hyperallergic.
Today, workers are planning to hold an informational picket outside the museum’s Garden Jams event to draw attention to their demands for higher salaries. The union has been engaged in negotiations with the university, seeking not only wage increases to keep up with the cost of living but also to address alleged pay disparities.
According to the union’s statement, the university has not raised the lowest hourly pay of $17 since the initial contract was ratified in 2023. Additionally, half of the represented jobs have starting pay rates below $23.26 an hour, which is considered the benchmark wage for individuals to support themselves in Philadelphia, according to the MIT Living Wage Calculator. The university’s latest proposal aims to increase the lowest pay rate to $18.32 by 2028.
Despite being one of the wealthiest private employers in the city, many workers at the museum struggle to make ends meet, the union emphasized in its statement. They also expressed frustration over the lengthy waiting periods during bargaining sessions, with management often responding with rejections rather than meaningful negotiations.
Penn Museum Workers United is affiliated with the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees, which represents the city’s municipal employees. The union is also part of Philly Cultural Workers United, a coalition that includes employees from other cultural institutions in the city.
In a message to elected officials, the union urged the university to present serious proposals that address the needs of workers and facilitate reaching a mutually beneficial agreement. The union’s statement highlighted the importance of fair wages and equitable treatment for all employees.
