Penn Museum Workers United

Philly Cultural Workers United, Local 397

Penn Museum Workers United began organizing in the summer of 2020, and we won our union in August of 2021. We organized around low pay, lack of job security, the need for health and safety improvements in the workplace, and greater transparency in museum policies and decision-making. We ratified our first contract in late June of 2023, becoming the second chapter in Philly Cultural Workers United.

What We Won

Our second Collective Bargaining Agreement grants substantial pay increases, improvements to benefits and leave time, and new rights and protections for everyone in the bargaining unit. Among the victories are:

  • Across the Board Raises. Guaranteed annual raises totaling 9% over the life of the contract.

  • Longevity Pay Raises. Additional raises to reward staff longevity at 2, 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 years of service.

  • Job Protections and Rights. Protections from unjust discipline and firing; greater job security for term-limited positions.

  • Career Pathways. Guaranteed promotion or transfer to open bargaining unit positions for qualified internal applicants.

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In the Press