Workers at Massachusetts museum vote to join a union


NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Workers at a Massachusetts museum have voted to join a union.

Employees at the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art in North Adams approved affiliating with UAW Local 2110 by a 53-15 vote, according to a count conducted Wednesday by the National Labor Relations Board, The Berkshire Eagle reported.

The votes had been submitted by mail over the past three weeks.

“It’s extremely gratifying and fills me with hope and optimism about the future,” said Amanda Tobin, a museum employee.

Full-time and regular part-time workers who have been with museum since at least March 21 were eligible to vote. Ninety-three employees including curators, art fabricators, educators, and “front-facing” employees, were eligible.

The workers in March cited job insecurity, low pay, and layoffs during the pandemic as their reasons for filing for union representation.

“We respect the choice to unionize and look forward to working with UAW Local 2110 in continuing to cultivate an inclusive, diverse, and sustainable workplace,” Tracy Moore, the museum’s interim director, said in a statement.

The Associated Press