Membership

To vote on constitutions and contracts, take part in elections of officers, and attend contract negotiations, you must be a member of Local 397. All this requires is signing a digital membership card.

Sign Your Membership Card

Why be a member?

As soon as you become a member, you have a say in our union’s decisions and priorities. Members elect the leadership of Local 397, vote on important decisions like contract ratifications and strike authorizations, and pay dues to support priorities like our legal representation in negotiations and arbitration. By signing up as a member, you’ll be able to receive union communications, take part in regular meetings, and vote on important issues like electing officers.

Have questions about what membership means? Email 397staff@dc47.org and we’ll set you up for a one-on-one conversation.

Membership FAQs

Is my position at the PMA union-eligible?

Email us at 397staff@dc47.org with your job title, and we’ll find out! If you had a union orientation on your first day, you’re union-eligible.

Does being a member come with a specific time commitment?

No. Being a member entitles you to do things like attend meetings and join committees, but there’s no expectation that every member will do so. Participating in major democratic decisions that affect the whole union (like contract ratification votes and officer elections) is certainly recommended, but there’s no requirement.

Can I be punished for being a union member?

Union membership is protected by law. It is illegal for supervisors to retaliate against workers for taking part in protected union activities.

What’s the Employee ID Number in the form?

Your Employee ID Number is a six-digit number. You can find it on the front of your employee badge (the last six digits underneath your photo) or by logging into ADP and clicking Myself > My Profile and looking under Position ID for six numbers. Your ADP profile will also have your hire date.

Who is AFSCME Local 397?

That’s us, the Philadelphia Museum of Art Union and Penn Museum Workers United! We now have an official charter as a “local” union of AFSCME District Council 47. As other arts and cultural organizations in Southeastern Pennsylvania decide to unionize, they can establish new units with Local 397 alongside us. Both Schuylkill Center Staff United and Please Touch Museum United are affiliated with Local 397, and they will join us as full members when they ratify their first contracts.