The Brooklyn Museum team totally rocked it on Tuesday, deciding to sign a super cool three-and-a-half-year contract just a day before they were going to go on strike.
Long Road to Say Yes
This wraps up talks that started in January 2022 between the crew’s union, Local 2110 UAW, and the museum big shots. It’s like a big high-five to the whole idea that people working together can make good things happen.
Cheers for Agreements
Elizabeth St. George, who helps with cool artsy stuff, couldn’t be happier: “We’re so excited to finally have this deal with the Museum. Now I can keep doing the work I love in a place that respects unions.”
Show Me the Money
According to the union spokesperson, Maida Rosenstein, the deal locks in a sweet 23 percent pay raise throughout the contract. That means more money for everyone, and even part-time friends get better health care. Plus, there’s $50,000 set aside for extra training.
Brooklyn Museum Speaks Out
A spokesperson for the Brooklyn Museum said, “We’re really happy to have this deal with our union friends. We think it shows the Museum cares about making sure everyone gets fair pay and the Museum stays awesome.”
Union Power Play
Back in August 2021, around 130 Brooklyn Museum crew members, from people who pick cool art to those who teach about it, joined a team called the union. They joined forces with a big group called Local 2110, part of the United Automobile Workers (UAW) union. These are the same folks who help workers in other cool places, like the Museum of Modern Art and the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.
Negotiation Dance
Talking with the big shots at the Brooklyn Museum got a bit stuck on things like health care, job security, and getting more money. The crew hadn’t seen a pay bump since 2020, so they went to the museum’s fancy parties, like the Thierry Mugler VIP gala and the Artists Ball, to tell everyone about it.
Recognition and Respect
Samantha Cortez, who helps make sure everything is where it should be, said, “The hard work of Museum staff is what makes the Museum so cool. Having a deal that gives us more money and makes sure we have good rights is like saying we’re important.”
In the end, it’s a big win for the Brooklyn Museum team, showing that when they all work together, good things can happen.