Director of Organizing for United Auto Workers Local 2110 Maida Rosenstein, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to talk about the Hispanic Society Museum and Library. Rosenstein outlined the reasons for the museum workers' strike and their battle for a first contract.
The Hispanic Society Museum and Library was founded in 1904 to establish a free, public museum and reference library for the study of the art and culture of Spain, Portugal, Latin America and the Philippines. It is a free public library, museum and educational institution containing objects of artistic, historic and literary interest. Like many other museums, the Hispanic Society relies on mostly low-paid labor to complete many of the day-to-day tasks, with a more experienced staff of researchers and curators handling the exhibits, said Rosenstein.
The museum was temporarily closed by the Board of Trustees in 2017 for remodeling. This temporary closure was extended due to the pandemic. The closure, along with not being able to raise enough money for the planned remodeling, resulted in the termination of many of the low-wage museum employees. The remaining workers, mostly curators and researchers who had spent their careers at this museum, decided to seek union representation after their employer froze the employees’ pension plan. The vote to unionize was approved by an overwhelming majority according to Rosenstein.
For nearly 18 months, negotiations went nowhere. Then the employer issued a final offer to the workers that would see major cuts to their benefits. This was the point where workers decided to walk out, just as the museum announced several key reopening events. The workers used these events to hold their pickets, informing donors and other key figures about the practices of the employer. These events helped the workers to finally secure a contract with no concessions on their part, Rosenstein said.
Listen to the entire episode to learn more.