LACMA Employees Initiate Unionization Effort

Employees at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) announced they are unionizing as of Wednesday, October 29. The new union, named LACMA United, will represent over 300 workers across various departments. They are campaigning for fairer compensation, expanded benefits, and increased transparency.

The unionization effort is supported by AFSCME Cultural Workers United District Council 36, which has successfully organized workers at other Los Angeles institutions such as the Museum of Contemporary Art, the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, and the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County. A previous attempt to unionize employees at the Marciano Art Foundation in 2019 failed when the museum unexpectedly closed.

In their letter to LACMA’s board and leadership, LACMA United highlighted the challenges faced by employees due to stagnant wages amidst rising living costs in Los Angeles. They cited issues like increased responsibilities without corresponding pay and shortages in staffing.

The union has requested that the museum management recognize LACMA United by November 5. In response, LACMA Director Michael Govan acknowledged receipt of the letter and expressed a willingness to continue supporting the staff.

Jayne Manuel, a program administrator at LACMA, shared her experience of financial difficulties exacerbated by living in Los Angeles. A survey by Museums Moving Forward showed that, although conditions have improved, issues with compensation and advancement are still prevalent in the industry.

This unionization effort coincides with a significant $720 million redevelopment of LACMA’s facilities. The museum’s new building, the David Geffen Galleries, designed by Peter Zumthor, is scheduled to open next April, hoping to provide a more integrated exhibit experience but raising some controversy.

The union’s announcement also comes before LACMA’s Art+Film Gala on November 1, which is a substantial fundraising event for the museum. LACMA United’s letter calls for the museum to align the evolution of its physical and display spaces with a commitment to prioritizing its staff.