Jewish Museum Workers Are Organizing with UAW Local 2110

On Monday, workers at New York City’s Jewish Museum including curators, art handlers, educators, and other employees petitioned the NLRB for a union election, seeking to join UAW Local 2110. Workers are unionizing for wage increases, better working conditions, and improved transparency from museum management.

“We want to be able to speak up about safety and equality and advancement,” art handler Brian Cook told the Observer. “Or even sometimes just offer basic opinions about job functions without facing abuse and retaliation. That alone would make the Jewish Museum a better place to work and a stronger museum.”

"In keeping with our love of the Jewish Museum’s exhibitions, collection, and rich history, the staff is eager to realize a fairer, more inclusive, and more diverse workplace," the union said in a statement. "We believe that collective bargaining with leadership can achieve these goals and strengthen our institution. Together we can move toward a better future for the Museum, creating a vibrant community in which everyone has the resources, opportunities, and support they need to thrive and collectively work toward a more equitable world." Read more in the Observer and follow the Jewish Museum Union on Instagram.