A Letter to Museum Council of Greater Philadelphia members and our regional museum community

Saturday, October 1, 2022

To Museum Council of Greater Philadelphia members and our regional museum community:

The Museum Council of Greater Philadelphia supports the federally-protected right of any group of workers to form a union in accordance with the 1935 National Labor Relations Act. All museum workers have the right to form a union and speak with collective voices in shaping the conditions of their employment. The Museum Council of Greater Philadelphia believes in creating a strong network of museum professionals and supporting our colleagues in all aspects of their museum careers. We fundamentally believe that all museum professionals have a right to fair compensation for their work.

As you likely know, employees of the Philadelphia Museum of Art (“PMA”), organized with the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees District Council 47, Local 397 to form the PMA Union with an 89% “yes” vote in August 2020. The PMA Union has been in contract negotiations since October 2020. Nearly two years later in August 2022, the union filed Unfair Labor Practice Charges against Philadelphia Museum of Art management. On August 30, the union voted by 99% to authorize a strike which began September 26, 2022.

Because the employment conditions at one museum affect the conditions of museum professionals across the field, the Museum Council of Greater Philadelphia urges leadership at the Philadelphia Museum of Art to negotiate in good faith with their legally-recognized, union employees. We encourage all members of the Museum Council of Greater Philadelphia and the regional museum community to celebrate and support the talented, dedicated staff of the Philadelphia Museum of Art as they work to make their voices heard.

Respectfully,

The Board of Directors Museum Council of Greater Philadelphia