In this video installment of Battleground Baltimore, TRNN Editor-in-Chief Maximillian Alvarez sits down with Laura Albans and Matt Papich, two workers at the renowned Baltimore Museum of Art who are involved in a crucial unionization effort that is currently taking place at the museum. From security guards and visitor services to art installers and curators, workers across departments are fighting to form a “wall-to-wall” union with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, Council 67. After officially announcing their unionization effort in late September, BMA workers have joined a broader surge in labor organizing at cultural institutions around the country, including at the nearby Walters Museum in Baltimore. According to the union’s mission statement, “We, the BMA staff, are part of the wave of change that is happening at cultural institutions around the country. By forming a union, we will champion better working conditions for all employees and create a positive cultural shift throughout the institution and the Baltimore community.”
In this interview, Alvarez talks with Albans and Papich about the work they do, how the unionization drive developed, and where things currently stand between workers and museum leadership. Laura Albans is a curatorial research associate who has worked at the BMA for nearly two decades; Matt Papich works in the exhibitions design and installation department and has been with the museum for 15 years.
Read the transcript of this video: https://therealnews.com/baltimore-museum-workers-are-fighting-for-a-wall-to-wall-union
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** (Disclaimer: This video content is intended for educational and informational purposes only) **
Thank you so much for this. Museums are just as bad as fast food restaurants. In my experience, I worked at one for almost ten years, and made less money there every year. I received a $.10 raise every two years, and my hours were and benefits were constantly cut. There were no promotions, or department transfers, little to no networking, and they brought in people from retail and fast food over me to do the same thing, for less money, in spite of raving performance reviews. None of the things I was doing seem to be marketable outside of the institution. Museums are always talking about leftest talking points, but leave out the labor issues. By the near end of it if; I was on the verge of filing bankruptcy,‘I’m spite of living frugally, and having no life for years. The represent the wealthy if they want to admit it or not. #unionize â¤ï¸ â¤ï¸
BUILD THE WALL…TRUMP/KENNEDY 2020
Peace and solidarity and much success!
Solidarity from London, U.K.
Defunct meaning
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For no reason
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