Over 100 employees of the Seattle Art Museum have announced their intention to unionize, citing issues with unsustainable wages and inadequate benefits. In a letter dated May 13, signed by 59 current staff members from various departments including visitor experience and collections care, the workers have called for better compensation, job protections and transparency.
The move follows a successful strike by the museum's unionized security guards in 2024. The Seattle Art Museum (SAM) Director and CEO Scott Stulen has confirmed receipt of the letter but declined to comment officially, stating that the institution supports employees' rights to advocate for themselves individually and collectively.
The workers have affiliated with Washington Federation of State Employees/AFSCME Council 28, aiming to bypass formal elections through the National Labor Relations Board. They are urging SAM leadership not to intimidate or coerce them in their efforts to unionize.
In a broader context, this move highlights the nationwide push for greater worker rights in the arts and culture sector, as workers seek fair treatment and better working conditions.
