Noguchi Museum Employees Make History with Unanimous Vote to Form a Union
**Noguchi Museum Workers Unionize Unanimously, Advocating for Equity and Transparency**
In a significant move for labor rights within the arts sector, workers at the Noguchi Museum in Long Island City, New York, have officially unionized following a unanimous election overseen by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). The landmark decision was announced via the union’s Instagram account on Monday, January 13, signaling a unified push for workplace improvements, equity, and transparency.
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### **A United Workforce**
The newly formed union will represent approximately 55 of the museum’s 72 employees, encompassing both full-time and part-time staff across various roles. This inclusive approach is known as a “wall-to-wall” union, meaning it extends membership eligibility to employees regardless of their specific job roles. Workers organized under United Auto Workers (UAW) Local 2110, a union that also represents employees at other prestigious institutions like the Whitney Museum of American Art and the Guggenheim Museum.
In their announcement, the Noguchi Museum union emphasized their commitment to fostering inclusivity and fairness. “Our members seek to negotiate for a more equitable, inclusive, and transparent workplace,” the union stated on Instagram. Despite challenges leading to this vote, the workers’ unity reflects a growing movement within the cultural sector to prioritize labor rights and equity.
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### **Priority Issues for the Workers**
The union’s goals are centered around addressing several key concerns affecting museum staff. Among their primary objectives are:
1. **Fair Grievance Procedures**: Workers aim to institute a grievance policy that includes the right to appeal to an impartial, external arbitrator, ensuring disputes are handled fairly and transparently.
2. **Fair Wages and Raises**: Advocating for more equitable pay has been a top concern, especially given that wage disparities have been increasingly scrutinized within the arts and nonprofit sectors.
3. **Workplace Safety and Health**: Ensuring a safe and healthy workplace is fundamental, particularly in light of challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and other occupational safety concerns.
4. **Protection Against Discrimination**: Workers are pushing for robust measures to prevent and address discrimination in all its forms, fostering a more inclusive environment for everyone at the museum.
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### **The Institutional Response**
The Noguchi Museum has responded positively to its employees’ decision to unionize. In an official statement, a museum spokesperson acknowledged the staff’s choice and expressed a willingness to engage constructively with UAW Local 2110. “The Noguchi Museum acknowledges and respects our staff’s decision to unionize. We look forward to working constructively and openly with Local 2110,” the statement read.
This cooperative approach signals potential goodwill for the upcoming negotiations, though the path forward will depend on how effectively both parties can address the union’s proposed reforms.
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### **The Context: A Struggle for Justice and Inclusion**
The unionization effort emerged amid a backdrop of controversy at the Noguchi Museum. In summer 2022, the museum implemented a highly criticized ban on keffiyehs, traditional Arab headscarves that symbolize Palestinian liberation. The policy sparked outrage among employees and the public, with over 50 staff members signing a letter calling for its reversal.
The situation escalated when three employees were terminated for noncompliance with the dress code, drawing national attention and protests, including a silent demonstration at the museum’s gala. Pulitzer Prize-winning author Jhumpa Lahiri also declined the museum’s prestigious Noguchi Award in solidarity with the workers, referencing the incident as a violation of free expression and cultural respect.
While the union has not directly addressed the keffiyeh ban in its negotiations, the episode underscores the employees’ larger push for an equitable and inclusive workplace free from discriminatory policies.
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### **Unification in the Arts Sector**
The Noguchi Museum’s unionization follows a broader trend of labor organizing within the arts and cultural sectors. In recent years, workers at institutions such as the Whitney Museum, the Art Institute of Chicago, and the Philadelphia Museum of Art have unionized, signaling a growing movement to challenge traditionally hierarchical structures within nonprofit and cultural industries.
These efforts reflect a larger conversation about the value of arts workers, many of whom contribute to institutions with global prestige but often face precarious working conditions, low wages, and limited job security.
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### **A Movement Toward Accountability**
As the Noguchi Museum embarks on negotiations with the union, this milestone represents a pivotal moment for workplace reform within the institution. By organizing, employees have amplified their voices and signaled a commitment to securing fair and equitable conditions for all staff members.
For the wider arts world, the events at the Noguchi Museum stand as both an inspiration and a call to action. As museum workers continue to advocate for systemic changes, institutions will need to reckon with the growing demand for transparency, equity, and inclusivity in the workplace. Whether through fair wages, safe working environments, or the empowerment of previously under