Metropolitan Museum of Art Staff Vote to Unionize with UAW Local 2110

Staff at the Metropolitan Museum of Art (The Met) in New York City have voted to unionize with United Auto Workers (UAW) Local 2110, achieving a significant victory with 76% of the votes in favor (542 to 172). The election, overseen by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), has left 100 ballots sealed due to challenges from the museum regarding the eligibility of certain staff members. The eligibility of these individuals will be determined through an arbitration process after the union is officially certified.

Metropolitan Museum of Art Staff In New York City ‘Go Union’ With UAW Local 2110AM New YorkCity's Metropolitan Museum of Art staff vote to unionize

The push for unionization at The Met has been ongoing for over four years, driven by employee concerns about job security, pay equity, and transparency in employment policies. The unionization effort gained momentum following the COVID-19 pandemic, which highlighted various workplace issues. Employees expressed a desire for a collective voice to advocate for their rights and recognition of their contributions.

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Rebecca Capua, a conservator at The Met, emphasized the importance of the vote, stating, “We won because we were able to convince our colleagues that they don’t have to accept whatever is offered to them.” Stephanie Post, a Digital Archivist with 31 years at the museum, remarked on the value of their labor, saying, “By Unionizing, we aren’t just protecting our own jobs – we’re building a collective voice to ensure every Staff Member... gets the respect and protection they deserve.”

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In response, a spokesperson for The Met stated that the museum has "long been committed to supporting its exceptional staff with highly competitive salaries and benefit packages that surpass industry standards." The spokesperson also noted that over 600 of the museum's 2,000 employees earn more than $100,000 annually, and salaries have increased by an average of 4% over the past five years.

City's Metropolitan Museum of Art staff vote to unionize

The museum's challenge regarding the 100 sealed ballots has drawn criticism from union representatives. Maida Rosenstein, the union's director of organizing, argued that the museum's claims about the ineligibility of certain staff members—citing their roles as "confidential" or "supervisory"—are unfounded. The union contends that these employees should be included in the union representation.

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As the unionization process moves forward, the museum and UAW Local 2110 are expected to engage in negotiations to establish a fair and equitable contract that addresses staff needs and priorities. Alison Clark, a collections manager at The Met, expressed optimism about the future, stating, “Unionizing with UAW Local 2110 is only our first step and we look forward to negotiating a fair and equitable contract.”

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This unionization marks a significant development in the labor landscape of cultural institutions in New York City, where UAW Local 2110 already represents workers at several prominent museums, including the Museum of Modern Art and the Guggenheim. The outcome of this unionization effort may influence similar movements in other cultural and educational institutions across the region.

Metropolitan Museum of Art Staff In New York City ‘Go Union’ With UAW Local 2110

• “We won because we were able to convince our colleagues that they don’t have to accept whatever is offered to them, that their experience and hard work has earned them a seat at the table,” — Rebecca Capua, Conservator

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• “By Unionizing, we aren’t just protecting our own jobs – we’re building a collective voice to ensure every Staff Member, now and in the future, gets the respect and protection they deserve.” — Stephanie Post, Digital Archivist

Metropolitan Museum of Art Staff In New York City ‘Go Union’ With UAW Local 2110

• “Unionizing with UAW Local 2110 is only our first step and we look forward to negotiating a fair and equitable contract that reflects staff needs and priorities,” — Alison Clark, Collections Manager

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• “As one of the world’s leading art museums, the Met has long been committed to supporting its exceptional staff with highly competitive salaries and benefit packages that surpass industry standards,” — Met Spokesperson

City's Metropolitan Museum of Art staff vote to unionize