(LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA) – Following a wave of successful organizing drives among Cultural Institutions throughout Los Angeles, Workers employed at two world-famous museums are coming together to form one Union.

Workers at the Natural History Museum and La Brea Tar Pits are forming a Union through American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees (AFSCME) District Council 36 as the Natural History Museum & Tar Pits Workers Union (NHMTPWU).

The new Union would represent 300 Workers, including Performers, Engineers, Educators, Guest Relations Associates and more. 

In a letter circulated among Staff, Workers listed long-standing issues they want to address through their Union - includes better pay and benefits, transparency, safe working conditions, inclusion, diversity and accessibility, and a workplace that values, empowers and advocates for its Employees.  

“A Union means strength in numbers for the securing of better wages, benefits and treatment for Full Time and Part-Time Employees,” said Timothy Castro, who works as a Guest Relations Associate.

Program Manager Juliann Vannordstrand said: “I support our Union because I believe that Workers deserve a voice in the creation of a truly safe, equitable and inclusive workplace.”

Mounting frustration over stagnant wages was a key factor powering the Unionization Drive.

Despite management insisting the museums could not afford better pay, benefits and compensation for Employees, the Natural History Museum recently spent $75 million to open a new wing and a community hub last Fall. 

In a letter to museum management and trustees, the Workers asked them to voluntarily recognize the Union by March 31st.

Many non-profit and cultural institutions in Los Angeles County -such as the Museum of Contemporary Art, Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, and Academy Foundation of Motion Pictures, granted voluntary recognition to their Staff Unions.

All of those Unions also organized with District Council 36 and are part of AFSCME Cultural Workers United, the largest organizing movement for Cultural Workers in the country. 

Cultural Workers United represents 42,000 Cultural Workers employed at museums, zoos, libraries and other cultural institutions, more than any other Union.

To Directly Access This Organizing Labor News Story In Its Entirety, Go To: Workers at 2 famous LA museums form a joint union through AFSCME | American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME)

AFSCME Photo Credit: Andrew Dudenbostel