Metropolitan Museum of Art Staff Files for Union Election

1 hour ago7 min read

Staff at New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art have taken a decisive step toward unionization, filing a petition with the National Labor Relations Board to hold a union election. This move positions the museum's workforce—including curatorial associates, conservators, educators, and visitor services staff—to potentially form a collective bargaining unit.The effort reflects a broader trend of labor organization sweeping through American cultural institutions, following successful campaigns at peers like the Museum of Modern Art. Workers are advocating for improved wages, greater job security, and a stronger voice in institutional decisions, highlighting long-standing concerns that the prestige of working at a world-renowned museum has not translated into equitable working conditions.The outcome of the impending vote could trigger a significant shift in labor relations not only at the Met but across the non-profit cultural sector, challenging traditional administrative models and advocating for a more collaborative and equitable framework. As the process unfolds, the museum's management and board of trustees face a critical decision on whether to engage in good-faith negotiations or defend the current operational structure.

#Metropolitan Museum of Art

#unionization

#labor rights

#National Labor Relations Board

#workers

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