Brooklyn Museum workers earn first contract and wage improvements

An organizer for the United Auto Workers, Maida Rosenstein, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and discussed the union’s new contract with the Brooklyn Museum. Rosenstein also discussed the UAW’s campaign during negotiations and some of the wins in the first contract.

It was a successful past two years for earning first contracts in the Museum and Arts industry, including a recent contract ratification at the Brooklyn Museum. In her 40 years of work in the labor movement, Rosenstein is not sure if she has ever seen a more successful period for organizing. At the Brooklyn Museum, they won a union vote with over 90 percent approval in 2021.

Negotiations began in earnest in 2022 for the first contract. Workers were fighting for improved wages and better working conditions, but there was no budging from the museum. The union ran a very active campaign throughout the two-year negotiation period, holding multiple demonstrations and rallies and passing out informational leaflets. Finally, after no budging from the museum, the union set a strike date for early November 2023. This resulted in the museum returning to the negotiating table, and they were able to get together on a first contract.

The contract includes guarantees of a yearly pay raise, a 23 percent wage increase during the life of the contract and improvements to healthcare costs. The museum had a poor track record of providing raises to employees. According to Rosenstein, the wage improvements were the most difficult part of the contract negotiations. With the first contract in place now, there is a hope that there will be improved relations between the museum and workers. 

For more on the Brooklyn Museum’s first contract, please listen to the show above.