Workers Protest Outside Brooklyn Museum Ahead of Layoff Deadline
# Brooklyn Museum Layoffs Spark Outrage and Protests
More than 150 people gathered outside the Brooklyn Museum on March 6 to protest upcoming layoffs at the institution. The demonstration was organized by two unions representing museum workers: UAW Local 2110 and DC 37 Local 1502. Protesters voiced their anger over 47 job cuts that are slated to take effect on March 9.
## **Background: Budget Shortfall and Sudden Layoffs**
The Brooklyn Museum announced the layoffs as a cost-saving measure to address a $10 million budget deficit. Union representatives first learned of the cuts in early February, just three days before the museum’s director, Anne Pasternak, confirmed them in an all-staff meeting.
Since then, union representatives have filed complaints with the National Labor Relations Board, arguing that the museum failed to provide the required 30-day negotiating period before making such workforce reductions.
“We should be at the table enjoying lunch, but instead the museum put us out here because they created a deficit and want to balance it on the back of our unions,” stated Local 1502 President Wilson Souffrant at the protest.
## **Dispute Over Notification and Negotiation**
The Brooklyn Museum has claimed that it is complying with the contractually required 30-day notice period by making the layoffs effective March 9. The institution also insists that it has been bargaining with unions regarding severance packages and finalizing which positions would be eliminated.
However, some employees have refuted this claim. “It’s been four weeks since they announced the layoffs, and I personally have not received any written notice,” said Michael Galardi, an assistant objects conservator who has worked at the museum for four years. “No, they are not in compliance at all.”
The museum, however, maintains that it informed unions of the layoffs on February 7 and has been actively engaged in discussions since then.
## **Impact on Workers and Community**
The layoffs have sparked significant concerns, not only among the affected employees but also within the broader arts community in New York City. Other institutions, including the Guggenheim Museum, have similarly announced staff reductions, leading to fears of a growing trend of job cuts across the cultural sector.
The layoffs particularly concern museum workers who have dedicated years of service to the institution. “We’re all here because we love working at this museum,” Galardi explained. “We don’t want to see this place lose the people that are essential to the function of it.”
A museum spokesperson responded to concerns by stating that “no one wants to eliminate jobs, but the Museum must operate within its funding. Since February 7, in accordance with our union contracts, we have been actively negotiating the terms of these staff reductions.”
## **City Officials and Union Leaders Speak Out**
The layoffs at the Brooklyn Museum have also drawn attention from city officials. In a recent City Hall oversight hearing, union representatives warned that these staff reductions could signal a wave of cuts across cultural organizations.
Brandon Mancilla, director of UAW Region 9A, criticized the austerity measures being imposed on workers. “This moment should be a beacon of hope and change, while Elon Musk and his cronies in Washington are trying to lay off all the workers they can,” he said. “So why in the world are we letting our institutions do the same thing to us?”
## **Solidarity Across Cultural Institutions**
The protest received support from employees across multiple cultural institutions, including the Brooklyn Public Library (BPL). Among the demonstrators were BPL staffers Leah Golubchick and Lisa Goldstein, who attended the rally during their lunch break.
“I was trained as a museum educator, and my very first internship was at the Brooklyn Museum,” Golubchick stated. “We’re here to support the people who are on the front lines and making the museum an amazing place.”
Other unionized workers from institutions such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Guggenheim also attended to show solidarity.
## **Next Steps: Can the Museum Reverse Course?**
As the March 9 deadline approaches, many workers and union members hope that the museum leadership will reverse its decision and find alternative ways to address the budget shortfall.
“The Brooklyn Museum should explore all realistic options before turning to layoffs,” argued union representatives. However, the institution maintains that all possible financial measures were considered beforehand.
With the pressure mounting, many are waiting to see if further negotiations can lead to job protections or alternative solutions before the layoffs take effect.
## **Conclusion**
The Brooklyn Museum layoffs highlight ongoing financial struggles within the arts sector and the growing tension between museums and their employees. As arts institutions face increased budget constraints, workers and unions are demanding greater transparency and fairer labor practices.
For now, Brooklyn Museum employees and their supporters continue to fight for job security, urging the institution to reconsider its decision before it’s too late.