Press Release
Hundreds of supporters—including labor unions, artists and arts organizations, and other allies—express solidarity with the unionizing staff at the Philadelphia Museum of Art and call on museum leadership to refrain from anti-union activity.
For release: July 17, 2020
The Philadelphia Museum of Art Union has published a Community Letter of Support signed by labor unions, artists and arts organizations, public servants, and other allies. With more than 350 signatures, the letter affirms museum employees’ right to unionize for “a say in the decisions that impact their employment and working conditions” and to “a fair election, free from employer interference.” The letter calls on “museum leadership to maintain neutrality throughout the election process and to refrain from all anti-union activity.”
The community letter comes at a pivotal moment in the PMA Union election as eligible staff begin to receive their ballots, go public with their pledge to vote yes, and mail in their votes to the National Labor Relations Board this week. We are proud that those the museum serves—our visitors, members, artists, representatives—have joined us in calling for a more transparent, equitable, and just art museum for the city of Philadelphia.
Notable Signatories
The signatories to the PMA Union letter of support include members of Philadelphia City Council; Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner; Pennsylvania Lieutenant Governor John Fetterman; nominee for state senate Nikil Saval; artists in the museum’s collection; former PMA employees; hundreds of museum members and other concerned citizens; and both local and national labor unions.
These community members and organizations have stated unequivocally that they believe an empowered, unionized workforce will create a more inclusive, equitable, and inspiring place to engage with the arts. When adding their signatures, many also sent powerful personal messages affirming and elaborating on why they believe the PMA needs a union. Their support is vindicating in the face of continued messages from the museum administration discouraging staff from unionizing.
We join the letter signers in calling on the museum’s administration once again to cease anti-union activity. We join them too in celebrating the democratic right of staff to form a union to improve the museum for all Philadelphians. We are committed to winning our election and look forward to PMA staff finally having a voice in the future of our institution.
Quotes
“We need to ensure that cultural institutions understand the importance of equity and reckon with the deep embedded sexism and racism that’s a part of the culture of museums and visible in collections. We need to ensure that we move forward and build something that’s lasting, that’s equitable, and that benefits all of us. I believe that the union can help advance these causes.”
“I support the PMA employees’ right to unionize. When workers put their hearts and their bodies on the line, they deserve to feel safe and supported in their work environment. I am grateful that management will allow union elections to occur and hope that all parties are able to work together.”
“As a union representing over 2,500 faculty members, librarians, and academic professionals, we know that the Philadelphia Museum of Art depends upon its workers to be a world-class museum. Those workers deserve world-class working conditions, and we call on management to refrain from anti-union rhetoric and allow its workers to make their own decisions unimpeded as they vote on whether to be represented by a union. And, if they vote yes, we trust that management will move swiftly to reach a fair contract for the good not only of their workers but all of those who visit and depend on the PMA.”
Press Inquiries
Are you a member of the press? Email us at solidarity@pmaunion.com.