Guggenheim Museum Workers Vote to Authorize a Strike

Unionized staff at the Guggenheim Museum voted overwhelmingly last week to authorize a strike if necessary to win a fair contract. Guggenheim staff, members of UAW Local 2110, have been negotiating with the Museum for their second union contract since December. Last year, the Guggenheim implemented a mass layoff and union negotiators are seeking strengthened job security provisions, including advance notice of layoffs, and improved severance pay.  

”The layoffs last year were implemented chaotically. Laid off staff were told to leave the museum with no advance notice and no union representation. The cuts to staff created hardships for those of us remaining because we were forced to pick up a lot of extra work,” said Drew Reynolds, an Educator at the Museum and the Union Chair. “Workers took the brunt of the cuts while museum leadership did not give up a penny in their salaries.”

Currently, entry level staff earn $49,920 annually, and half of museum staff earn less than the $71,000 per year that City Hall says is necessary for a single adult to afford to live in the city. Guggenheim staff who earn under $75,000 per year must still pay approximately $4,700 per year for family coverage and approximately $1,600 a year for single coverage. In addition to salary deductions for premium costs, employees must also cover co-pays and yearly deductibles out of pocket that can amount to thousands of dollars per year. Union negotiators point to the Museum’s recent hires at the executive level following the staff layoffs including the appointment of Melissa Chu to a newly created directorship at Guggenheim New York.  

“Even after years of service, most Museum staff earn modest salaries. The rising cost of health care further erodes workers’ standard of living and for entry level staff, it’s simply unaffordable,” said Olga Brudastova, president of Local 2110. Read more in The Art Newspaper and Hyperallergic.